Karen Gabler
Licensed Massage Therapist, Structural Integrator, Certified Zero Balancer
Karen Gabler brings 26 years of experience to her practice in Massage Therapy, Structural Integration, and Zero Balancing. In an accepting and safe environment, Karen works with her clients to create space in their bodies and, in turn, to create space in their minds.
Karen's work addresses symptoms arising from chronic and acute pain, postural imbalances, stiffness, weakness, anxiety, depression, and overall stress. We often hold old injuries and traumas as well as everyday stress in our musculoskeletal system. As a result, our bodies get stuck in inefficient patterns which cause restrictions, pain, discomfort, sore muscles and joints, and lack of ease in movement. This work addresses the muscles, bones, and connective tissue (myofascia) by slowly and gradually stretching, broadening, and loosening held restrictions. The tissue is never forced or pushed, it is held in sustained stretch until the restriction dissolves. This helps to unwind strain patterns and reduce structural stress which in turn restores the body's natural balance, alignment, length, and ease.
The first session includes a thorough history-taking, postural analysis, and hands-on treatment with site-specific techniques to address problem areas. Sensitivity to the client's unfolding individual experience is a high priority. If needed, the creation of a comprehensive treatment and exercise program is discussed in relation to a client's goals and expectations.
Karen's clients describe her work as:
"I feel connected to my body and deeply relaxed."
"Karen's hands guide my body to where it is meant to be and I am back home."
"I ran 17 miles the day after our session with no knee pain. I noticed my form was better and I felt great during the whole run."
"After the first session, I felt more lifted and grounded. My body was in a new place."
Karen Gabler received her BA in Psychology and Education from Wheaton College in Norton, MA. Her interest in psychology and how the mind and body heal lead her to the New England Institute of Massage (formerly in Cambridge, MA) where she became nationally certified in Massage Therapy in 1983. She also has advanced certifications in Zero Balancing and in Structural Integration from Thomas Myers' Kinesis Myofascial Integration Program. In addition to practicing yoga for 25 years, Karen has studied Aston Movement with Judith Aston. She devotes time to writing and to teaching a graduate course to massage therapy students and has developed a course for medical professionals on how to assess their patients' postural alignment.
