Kate Aarden, LMT

Apr 2024

I received Swedish Massage twice from Kate Aarden this year - once in February, and another time 2 days ago. Kate's office is exceptionally clean. She really pays attention to hygiene. Many of the surfaces are wrapped in thick plastic. There is a thick, clear mat on the floor by the massage table that may be made of vinyl (?), but it looks like it would be very easy to wipe it down between sessions. Kate's rate for a Swedish Massage is quite good for the quality of work that she does. I'm actually amazed that she is able to keep her rates so low. I have 7 allergies, some of them rather unusual ones, and the one that often matters the most when receiving massage is that I am heavily allergic to coconut oil or palm oil - either ingested or topical. I will break out in angry red dots all over my skin if I eat this or if it is put on my skin. My 94-year-old Grandmother, with whom I am close, has the same allergy. Kate typically uses coconut oil for her clients, but she was very considerate about using the oils that I had brought in, which I had blended and mixed myself. I typically use an almond oil, jojoba oil, or apricot oil for my carrier oil, and I update my essential oil collection periodically to include pure essential oils that have lovely scents and/or therapeutic qualities. I enjoy mixing my own oils, and I almost always mix and bring my own oil when I receive massage therapy. Kate was also very sweet and considerate about wrapping my hat in a towel so that she wouldn't get oil on it. My head gets cold very easily. Kate was very welcoming and kind, and I felt comfortable with her immediately. We chatted a little bit, and we had a couple of nice, brief chats, but she wasn't too chatty and I was able to relax (without chat) for the larger part of each massage that I received from Kate. The sheets were very comfortable, and the process was simple and clearly articulated when I needed to turn over to the other side of my body in the middle of the massage. Kate chose sheets with lovely patterns - the first time the sheets were a pretty green color with leaves and fronds, and the second time the sheets were a deep blue with a circular pattern. The music that Kate chose was so lovely that I actually asked her to write down the names of the musicians for me. Kate told me that they won a Grammy. The music is entirely instrumental, and it is an excellent music choice for Swedish Massage. The names of the musicians are unusual and I don't recall them at the moment, but Kate did write the names down for me after my massage. Usually when I am reviewing a massage therapist here on yelp, I mention that I graduated from the Port Townsend School of Massage myself in 2016, however, I have never practiced massage professionally. Kate and I both missed the environment of massage therapy school, since it was a mostly very positive experience for both of us, and we got to give and receive so many massages to/from our fellow students! Kate has been practicing massage for over 30 years now! I am in awe of her. I really admire that. That's unusual. According to Massage Magazine, the average Massage Therapy career lasts around 6 years. Kate has been working for over 5 times that long! Kate let me know that she was very open to feedback. I really appreciated that and I did ask her for lighter pressure on a few areas, which she did. For my second massage, she even remembered to avoid my face from the first massage that I had received from her over a month prior! My face is the only area of my body that I always ask massage therapists to completely avoid; I never could stand having fingers on my face. Kate mentioned that facial massage can be very helpful for people with TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) issues, and I do remember learning that when I was in school. Kate did some wonderful work around my scapulae during both massages, and I certainly left feeling very relaxed. In my first intake session with Kate, I asked her if she receives massage from her own massage therapist. She said that she does not, becaus

Nov 2021

If you are looking for an outstanding massage therapist with extensive training and experience, look no further than Kate Aarden. I have been to more massage therapists than I can count in my 60-plus years. Kate Aarden is without a doubt the best I've ever come across.

A consummate professional, she is always punctual and very sensitive to the needs of the client. She always encourages me to keep her apprised of how much pressure I want.

I have had severe scoliosis since I was a young teen and have suffered more pain in recent years than I had previously. Kate has helped to free me from pain and I'm now able to enjoy so many more things in my life. I have...read full review

Sep 2021

If you are looking for an outstanding massage therapist with extensive training and experience, look no further than Kate Aarden. I have been to more massage therapists than I can count in my 60-plus years. Kate Aarden is without a doubt the best I've ever come across.A consummate professional, she is always punctual and very sensitive to the needs of the client. She always encourages me to keep her apprised of how much pressure I want.I have had severe scoliosis since I was a young teen and have suffered more pain in recent years than I had previously. Kate has helped to free me from pain and I'm now able to enjoy so many more things in my life. I have found that combining...read full review