Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are many types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities). People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons; for example, to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain, and promote overall health and wellness.
Massage can relieve tension, break up adhesions and scar tissue, and facilitate waste removal from the muscles. Skilled orthopedic massage can create therapeutic change in the muscle tissue, reducing the recovery time for soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and tears, as well as reducing degenerative pressure on joints. Massage should be viewed as a crucial part of any athlete or active person’s recovery and maintenance program. While massage is great for injuries and soreness, many people also choose regular massage as a tool to help relax, relieve stress, and prevent injury.
At Ascend Wellness MBS, our massage therapists utilize a variety of techniques to treat patients, including:
- Orthopedic massage
- Sports recovery/rehabilitation
- Deep tissue/neuromuscular
- Maternity
- Swedish Massage
- Integrative Massage
Massage is available Monday-Friday, and we recommend pre-booking to ensure you can schedule the time you prefer.
Laser Therapy
In addition to massage therapy, we offer Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), which is an innovative treatment for pain relief and recovery. This non-invasive therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing processes in the body.
Benefits of Laser Therapy:
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
- Promotes tissue repair and regeneration
- Alleviates pain and discomfort
- Enhances circulation
- Speeds up recovery time from injuries
Laser therapy works by delivering light energy to damaged tissues, helping to stimulate cellular processes that promote healing. It’s suitable for various conditions, including joint pain, muscle strains, and post-surgery recovery.
Fun Facts about Low-Level Laser Therapy:
- LLLT is FDA-cleared for various conditions, including chronic pain and soft tissue injuries.
- Studies have shown that LLLT can significantly reduce recovery time after surgery.
- The therapy is painless, non-invasive, and does not require downtime, allowing you to resume daily activities immediately.
- LLLT has been shown to promote the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of cells, which enhances healing.
- It can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, facilitating faster recovery.
- LLLT is being researched for its effectiveness in treating conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and even migraines.
- Unlike high-power lasers, LLLT does not heat the tissue, making it a safe option for all skin types.
Massage Fun Facts
- One hour of massage is equal to 7-8 hours of sleep for the body.
- There are approximately 5 million touch receptors in our skin—3,000 in a fingertip.
- Touch is the first sense to develop in humans and may be the last to fade.
- Regular massage can enhance attentiveness, focus, mental clarity, and emotional balance.
Meet Our Therapist: Monica Sivertson, RMT, FMCHC
Monica is a 2005 graduate of The Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Boulder, CO, and is certified in Low-Level Laser Therapy and Health Coaching. Her main area of focus is sports and orthopedic massage, with an emphasis on deep tissue, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. Monica was a teaching assistant at The Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy from 2007-2008, helping students develop their skills in sports and orthopedic modalities.
Her passion for massage therapy stems from her ability to help people reach their full potential in their journey toward maximum health and wellness. Tracking the progress of her clients and seeing the positive results that massage therapy can have drives Monica to continually learn and grow as a massage therapist. She has extensive experience helping athletes with injuries, concussions, prevention of injury, and overall wellness.
Originally from Westhope, North Dakota, Monica is excited to be home after 16 years in Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and going for walks with her sweet puppy, Hank (who she insists is really a human!).
Meet Our Therapist: Haley (Hal) Cloer, LMT
A 2025 graduate of Williston State College in North Dakota, Hal specializes in Swedish massage, customizing each session to meet her clients’ unique needs. She’s especially passionate about creating a safe and calming environment, with a growing interest in trauma-informed bodywork and massage for clients with PTSD.
Hal’s journey into massage began in 2019, while working closely with children with behavioral disorders and disabilities. Witnessing how trauma can live in the body inspired her to explore the powerful connection between physical and emotional wellness.
Born and raised in a small town in rural Oregon, Hal moved to North Dakota in 2014, where she’s called many corners of the state home. Outside the massage room, you’ll find her cross-stitching, baking, curled up with a book, or brewing the perfect cup of coffee—a skill polished during her decade-long barista days. She lives with her three spice girls (cats)—Nutmeg, Juniper, and Paprika—and her sweet pup, Matcha.
