Momentum Therapy

I have been seeing Kevyn for about 5 months. When I first came to her, I suffered from chronic hip, back, and neck pain. I had tried chiropractic and deep tissue massage, and while both could accomplish temporary relief, after a day or so I was generally hurting again.
On my first visit, Kevyn showed me how to correct my hip alignment on my own, and also gave me some core and hip stability exercises to do at the wall. I am able to keep my back and hips almost 100% pain free by doing these exercises.
I have kept seeing Kevyn on a biweekly basis for help with neck tension that leads to migraine. She generally checks up on my exercises and hip alignments, then spends the rest of the session doing intense trigger point therapy on my neck and hips. Her specific method for this involves her applying pressure to the trigger point, while you move the muscle. This leads to a longer-​lasting release than you generally get with just massage.
As other reviewers have mentioned, Kevyn’s structural integration method is not a relaxing massage. The trigger point therapy is very painful, and her pin and movement method requires that you work through the pain.
I’d recommend Kevyn to anyone with chronic pain who has not been able to find effective or lasting relief. It’s generally a good idea to sign on for at least two sessions (she recommends 5 because five sessions tends to be a turning point for a lot of people), so that you can practice your exercises on your own and then come in for feedback and corrections.

This will be probably end up being long, so if you don’t have time to read it all here are the main bullet points:
Kevyn has done the most for my chronic pain in the 5 years and 20+ practitioners I have seen.
Her methods require work on your part, and it’s not a «massage.» If you go to her you should be prepared to do some work on your own (but you’ll want to because it works!)
Kevyn is not only knowledgeable about the body but intuitive about how to fix it. She also happens to be very sweet, which is always a plus.
The longer version: In an hour-​long visit with Kevyn (you can also do a 90-​min), she is with you one-​on-​one the entire time. Her method consists of three basic parts. First, she checks your hip alignment and teaches you how to correct any misalignments. In my case, my right hip was forward and rotated to the side, and Kevyn is the only person who has taught me how to fix it on my own. I have seen practitioners who have told me it’s just a birth defect as well as others who have manually corrected it but not been able to teach me how to do it on my own. Now I’m able check my alignment and fix it before doing any kind of physical activity and this has allowed me to exercise more than I was able to before and to have less pain while doing so.
Second, Kevyn does Trigger Point Therapy on you. She basically finds spots on your body where you are holding tension and presses into them really hard so that they release. Be forewarned that this is NOT a massage and does not feel good in any way. In fact, it hurts like hell. I’m also often sore from it that day and occasionally the next day. But after that I can feel the difference! My upper shoulders and back have a tendency to feel like rocks, but after a session of TPT they are much looser and I have greater range of motion.
Third, Kevyn shows you how to do some exercises to build strength wherever you need it. In my case, which I think is on the more severe side, she has me doing frequent core exercises up against a wall. In the past I have seen physical therapists who have given me exercises that build strength in one area while hurting another area of my body, but Kevyn is able to see my body from a holistic perspective and makes sure that I’m moving forward without re-​injuring myself in any way. Each time I see her, she checks to make sure I’m doing the exercises correctly. The wall exercises she has given me have made a huge difference in building my core strength and alleviating my neck pain. The first time that I went to see her, I was kind of skeptical about them and didn’t follow through with them after my visit, but now that I’m taking her advice and doing the wall exercises frequently, I have found that I can actually use them to immediately decrease my pain.
I see Kevyn once a week for help in managing my chronic neck, back and ankle pain. Kevyn is amazing if you have chronic pain, and it seems like her method would also be useful for athletes who need to keep up their core strength and their alignment to prevent injury. I have been going to her for about 2 months, and I cannot tell you the difference it has made with my pain. In my «journey to recovery,» I have seen PT’s, chiropractors, acupuncturists, orthopedic surgeons, you name it … and Kevyn’s methods have been by far the most effective. The only negative I can say is that she is not covered by my insurance (I pay through my health savings account) — but obviously I still think it’s worth it (this is my health I’m talking about!)
Kevyn also happens to be just a really amazing person. She’s funny, friendly, and sweet, and you can tell that she is passionate about what she does. I feel like she really cares about my progress, and she often goes above and beyond (for example, staying well past the hour mark to look over some exercises a physical therapist had given me and modify them so that they were more productive and less painful). As a person who has been in pain for multiple years, it means a lot to me to have found someone who is not only helping me heal but also feels like a team member «on my side.» I would highly recommend Kevyn to anyone!

I went to visit Kevyn a few months ago about some neck pain I had been dealing with. I found her to be very pleasant and knowledgeable. She evaluated me as soon as I arrived. After asking me a few questions, and having me perform a few exercises, she was able to make her assessment and tell me why my neck was giving me the problems that it was. During the hour session Kevyn taught me several new exercises that I would need to do regularly in order to eliminate my neck pain. She also performed some deep tissue work, which can be painful, but also very effective. I personally can deal with a little pain in order to serve the greater good.
I have now been to see Kevyn 3 times over the last 2 or so months. I feel that my neck is at least 50% better, which I think is a realistic expectation. I do the exercises Kevyn showed me, but I will admit that I do not do them as often as I should. I do believe Kevyn has helped me tremendously. As with anything in life, you get out of your therapy what you put in. If you take the time to do your exercises, and follow the teachings of a good therapist like Kevyn, you will get the results that you desire,

Kevyn is intuitive, kind & insightful. What amazing techniques she uses to help us realign our bodies. I came to Kevyn as I was waiting for an appointment with an Osteopath (which I cancelled!). I had been active for years and was involved in intensive multi-​disciplinary training (strength training, plyometrics, core synergistics) and ran & did yoga & pilates on the side. I developed an excrutiating pain deep in by back hip area. I didn’t know who could help me, so I made an appointment with an Osteopath hoping they could at least diagnose my problem. I had not injured myself, so I was confused & scared & frustrated as the pain was not resolving itself & I had very limited moblity. I was familiar with Rolfing (gravitational concepts, myofascial release, deep tissue work) and active trigger point release. I thought my core was very strong & developed and my posture was quite good.
My first visit with Kevyn and she diagnosed me correctly in a few minutes of observation & questioning. My pain decreased. Within 24 – 48 hours my mobility improved greatly. My acute hip problem was fully resolved in 2 weeks! I completed 5 sessions with her & was relieved to learn of my subtle alignment issues which add up to big problems. I was surprised after spending so much time on core work, to learn there were subtle areas I needed to work on. Great relief was experienced on my vertebrae and even psychologically. My quads are finally released!
I
Kevyn’s methods really work. i believe in the vertical axis!

After a few years of traveling with a backpack over one shoulder, my back finally said ‘Enough!’. I was in constant pain that I’ve never had before.
I tried all kinds of creams, gels & even pills, but it wasn’t until Kevyn (along with my chiropractor) pinpointed the problem and massaged out the specific muscles that I found relief. She’s awesome!!!

I have been involved in high level physical activity for over 32 years. Everything from classical ballet (and other forms of dance), to pilates, yoga, chi kung and competitive sports. I have received several types of bodywork and physical therapy from all over the world. I have never met someone who is more of the «complete package» than Kevyn when it comes downs to corrective bodywork, postural realignment and strength and conditioning.
By the time I met Kevyn I was having a lot of neck and shoulder pain which resulted in periodic headaches. She assessed my situation and immediately began addressing the problem. I did feel some relief after the first session but it wasn’t until the 3^rd or 4^th session where my body really shifted. I started feeling really good!
One of the great things about Kevyn’s work is that she empowers you with exercises that you can do to take care of yourself. By getting several treatments and doing her exercises not only was I pain free in a relatively short period of time but I began to get my core strength back in way that I hadn’t experienced in a long time… Kevyn really knows her stuff and is very passionate about it!
Walter W.

Kevyn has such an incredible wealth of knowledge I feel that every time I go in for work I leave with some major shift in my body; whether we are working on a localized pain or whole body torque, when I get off the table my body is noticeably changed.
I have seen many bodyworkers, rolfers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, the whole gamut, and Kevyn is one of the few practitioners who seems to really understand the body on a systemic level.
I have had issues with my shoulders and elbows for as long as I can remember which affects my daily life but is most acute when doing my yoga practice. Since I have been seeing Kevyn I have noticed major shifts in how my shoulders and upper body are engaging on a muscular level. Her approach seems to be a mix of body work and physical exercises (ala p.t.) which you take home and continue to work with, to marry the concept of strengthening weak muscle groups and underdeveloped areas after she releases the overly developed over-​compensating muscle groups which are bound up and causing imbalances as well. It’s sort of the yin-​yang concept, we can’t just fix the sore, tight muscle, but we have to figure out why one is working too hard and the others aren’t helping out.
I have also recently been going to her for an issue that is starting to present itself as TMJ but we believe is actually a symptom of a full body torque where the pelvis is pulling the whole left side out of alignment pulling the right shoulder, neck and jaw out of alignment… I have seen her twice for this problem and we are making really good progress!
Kevyn is strong, I will warn you now, she does not baby you, the work is intense, it’s deep but incredibly profound. If you are looking to really get to the root of your pain she is an excellent choice, but don’t go to her if you just want have a nice massage and relax, it is powerful work!
I have been seeing Kevyn at the Emeryville Health and Wellness Center and it is really easy to get to from the East Bay and is also close to the ⁸⁰⁄₅₈₀ so would be convenient if I was coming from further away as well. Lots of free parking and it’s a very nice space.
I’m glad I have found her, thanks!!!

I have been struggling with a shoulder injury from a motorcycle accident for quite a while. I worked with professional PT and trainers as well as many massage therapist, and was not progressing as the pain was too great. I was introduced to Kevyn at a Yoga studio and decided to give her a try. What a difference. Not only has she helped my shoulder, she also has improved my posture and my core.
Kevyn was able to view my body as a whole, and actually started with my posture and stance. II was skeptical at first, but not any more.
In my last visit, she was able to eliminate a painful «stone bruise» on my left foot.
Kevyn does work deep, so don’t expect a light touch. In my opinion, there is no way to better spend your bodywork dollars.
Joe

Kevyn is unique. I have been to too many bodyworkers/​massage therapists and what-​not in the attempts to get my shoulder working properly again. Most of my sessions ended in massive disappointment as, after 2 – 3 days, the temporary relief disappated and the pain and dysfunctionality set in again. This has been near 90% of my experience in massage therapy and body work.
My shoulder has been through so much trauma, I can’t even begin to tell you. After the surgery, I thought everything would eventually be fine, but it wasn’t. I still had problems firing my triceps, still had pain in my shoulder, and still had dysfunctionality. Thus it was with some trepidation that I decided to seek out a massage therapist again (trying to avoid the emotional highs and lows).
My suprise was two fold with Kevyn; first, she actually listens to what I am saying. I hate to say it, but that has been a rarity for me with massage therapists. Too many want to stick to their ‘system’ and work from my feet up. It never, ever worked. Second, Kevyn was one of the first therapists to actually see what was happening in my shoulder. This is also unique because most therapists couldn’t see what, to me, was fairly obvious. Not only was she able to see it, but she also knew how to go about it.
If you want someone who can actually see what is happening to your body and listen to you, you are on the right path.

As a bodyworker I am very particular about who I go to. Kevyn is precise and knowledgable. She works deeply into the trouble areas and after a day or so I actually feel pain relief! She is the only one who really addresses my body in an effective way. I highly recommend her for the deep work required for true pain relief.
l.c.