Susan Herder, CNMT

About the Work

People who come to see Susan are often dealing with health problems they are not finding help with elsewhere. Issues vary from musculo-skeletal pain/discomfort, chronic illness and edema to excessive stress. Responses from new clietnts indicate that as they get into the therapy, it feels like their body is simply healing as it is supposed to. This is because the blocks causing the problem have been removed.

One important aspect to understand is that each body has its own pace for healing. Instead of forcing anything, working with each person's rhythms promotes a gradual healing. Generally a particular issue is addressed; it is best to have a few sessions consecutively. When progress is made, less frequent appointments are needed. (The frequency is a personal decision, and time and financial implications are respected. Susan believes it's important that you direct your own healing.)

People's bodies vary greatly in terms of muscular strength, pain thresholds/degree of sensitivity, movement patterns, and the duration of the problem. The better Susan gets to know you, the better the work you will do together. She'll be able to heal those spots where you hold tension. Regular sessions build on the positive changes to activate your natural healing.

“For over 20 years, I had chronic neck and shoulder pain, which caused discomfort and headaches. In 1995 I sought Susan Herder's expertise, which immediately began to reverse the condition. Over time we have corrected the issues, and I am pain free. Susan's qualifications and skill for assessing body issues, sets her apart from massage therapists. I refer her with the highest recommendations to my best friends and church family.”

Rev. Drew Vogt, San Francisco

What to Expect

The office is conveniently located in the West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco, one block from Muni with easy parking. The appointment begins by discussing what you believe to be your own needs, and the dialogue continues in subsequent sessions. The first session may include assessing body posture and movements. This provides insights which help Susan improve your body's funcitoning.

Susan's work is different than most massage therapists', because her training and experience has taught her to assess the cause of pain and discomfort and how to solve it. The problem may be in a different place than where you are experiencing the pain.

On the warm massage table, you may start face up or down, perhaps with some relaxing music. The strokes tend to be long and relaxing, and while gentle, they affect deep levels. Susan rarely uses any tools other than her hands. She uses various oils and cremes, some for aromatherapy, others for pain relief.

Sometimes exercises are offered that will specifically address your body's needs, and alleviate pain and discomfort. Drinking plenty of water for a few days, and an Epsom salt bath help your body adjust to and retain the changes made during the session.

“I call Susan 'My Healing Hands' Therapist. I came to her 10 years ago for relief of lymph edema resulting from breast cancer/mastectomy. She not only relieved this problem, but her neuromuscular skills have relieved pain from metastatic bone cancer in my vertebra plus osteo-arthritic misery in my knees and hips.”

Mary Jane, Foster City, CA