Chrystina Gastelum, Portland

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? My practice weaves deep tissue and Swedish techniques, yoga teacher training, some Chinese medicine (Cupping and Guasha) to help the body find ease. I trained in therapeutic massage at Downeast School of Massage and have since studied specific jaw/TMJ work and structural integration.

What was the inspiration to start or run this business? Becoming a massage therapist has been a life-long interest for me. I was the kid walking on her uncle's back and giving people shoulder rubs long before I knew what a trigger point was or how an electrical signal told a muscle to fire. Prior to massage, I worked in corporate sustainability.

What do you love most about your job? _I love working with people of all backgrounds and intentionally welcome folks of any identity, especially those who are all too commonly marginalized. _

What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer? "Previous to working with Chrystina, I just avoided lifting my arm over my head."