The Root Cause Session
Start with a Root Cause Session at Dharma Massage in Westport, CT. Combine a posture and movement assessment with personalized hands-on bodywork.
Step 1 - what best describes you right now?
Programs for Recurring Pain
Choose a program if the problem keeps coming back and one session won't be enough.
Massage types, for specific needs
Choose a massage type if you already know what you need, or if your issue is focused, recent, or situational.
They love Dharma Massage & Wellness
If your neck and shoulders are always tight…
If you live with a constant band of tension across your neck, shoulders, and upper back, especially from desk work, driving, or stress, you are likely a good fit for Swedish Massage or an Integrative Massage Session with a lighter to moderate touch.
These sessions use long, flowing strokes to ease tight muscles, improve circulation, and calm your nervous system so your shoulders can finally drop away from your ears.
Choose this if you feel wound up, mentally tired, and want to leave feeling grounded, not “worked over.” It is ideal if you are new to massage or simply need a restorative reset, and can be done in‑studio or as an in‑home massage if you would rather not get back in the car afterward.
If you have stubborn knots that never seem to go away…
When tension lives deep in your back, hips, or legs, and lighter work has not made a difference, Deep Tissue Massage or a Targeted Pain Relief Session is usually the right call. Here we work methodically through layers of muscle and connective tissue, using deep, precise pressure to break up chronic tension and restore mobility.
Book this if you are dealing with long‑standing pain, “cement” shoulders, or recurring headaches that start in your neck.
A 30‑minute Targeted Pain Relief Session is perfect when you know exactly where it hurts and want efficient, focused work; longer deep tissue sessions are better when several areas are involved. In‑home visits are available if getting comfortable at home makes it easier for you to fully let go.
If you are training for the Westport Minute Man Race or pushing hard in the gym…
Runners, CrossFit regulars, tennis and paddle players around town often need something more specialized than a general relaxation massage. Sports Massage and our Root Cause Session are designed for exactly that.
Sports Massage focuses on the muscles you rely on most, calves, hamstrings, hips, low back, and shoulders, using techniques that help you recover faster, reduce soreness, and improve performance.
The Root Cause Session goes a step further: we look at how you move, where your body is compensating, and which patterns are actually driving your pain.
Choose one of these if you are prepping for a race, coming back from a strain, or noticing the same ache after every workout. We can do this work in the studio with full equipment, or bring a table to your home so you can rest right after your session instead of driving home on tired legs.
If you are pregnant and cannot get comfortable or sleep…
Pregnancy asks a lot of your body, hips, low back, ribs, and feet all get pulled into the process.
Our Prenatal / Perinatal Massage is designed specifically for expectant and new mothers in Westport and Fairfield County.
We use advanced prenatal techniques, safe positioning, and careful listening to ease low‑back pain, hip pressure, leg cramps, and the general “I just cannot get comfortable” feeling.
Choose this if you are experiencing back pain, pelvic discomfort, swelling, or simply need a space where someone understands how pregnancy changes your body week by week. Sessions are available in the studio, and many clients love in‑home prenatal massage so they can move straight from the table to their own bed.
If your body feels heavy, puffy, or sluggish…
When you feel swollen, weighed down, or slow to recover, especially after illness, surgery, or long flights, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is often the best fit. This is a gentle, rhythmic technique that supports your lymphatic system, reduces inflammation, and helps your body clear fluid more efficiently.
Clients frequently describe MLD as one of the most deeply relaxing experiences they have had, even though the touch is very light.
Choose this if you are dealing with swelling, heaviness, or a nervous system that feels stuck in “on” all the time; it can also be done in‑home if resting afterward is part of your healing plan.
If you have one specific “ouch” point that lights up…
For that one spot that catches every time you move, between your shoulder blade, at the base of your skull, deep in a hip, Trigger Point Therapy can bring direct relief.
Trigger points are tiny, irritable spots in muscle fibers that often refer pain elsewhere, like a knot in your shoulder that causes headaches.
We incorporate trigger point work into Targeted Pain Relief, Root Cause, and Integrative sessions, so you do not have to know the exact technique name to benefit from it. Choose a focused session if you can put a finger on the exact point that hurts and want to finally understand why it keeps coming back.
If you just want someone to read your body and decide for you…
Sometimes the most honest answer to “What do I need?” is “I am not sure, can you tell me?” That is where our Integrative Massage Session shines. We combine elements of Swedish, deep tissue, sports, trigger point, and alignment work in real time based on how your tissues respond.
Choose this if your needs change week to week, or you want a trusted therapist to assess and adapt on the spot.
It is an excellent choice for ongoing care, whether in our Westport studio or through regular in‑home visits that fit the rhythm of your life.
A Quiet Birthday Nudge
If your birthday is coming up, or recently passed, consider this your sign to stop putting yourself last.
We offer a 10% Birthday Special as a small way of saying, “Your body deserves a gift too.”
Many clients use it as the moment they finally book the session they have been talking about for months, whether that is a restorative Swedish massage or a focused pain‑relief plan.
Just mention your birthday when you book, and we will take care of the rest.
Why Westport Trusts Dharma Massage & Wellness
Dharma Massage & Wellness is rooted right here at 420 Post Road West in Westport, with a practice that has grown through local referrals, Westport Moms, and neighbors sending neighbors.
Clients mention specific relief from migraines, chronic lower‑back pain, and sports injuries to pregnancy discomfort, which is exactly the kind of grounded, real‑world feedback you want when choosing a therapist.
Behind the scenes are licensed massage therapists with advanced training in medical massage, prenatal and postnatal care, lymphatic drainage, and muscle alignment therapy, supported by transparent pricing and a stable, professional clinic environment.
This is not a cookie‑cutter spa day; it is tailored, therapeutic work guided by experience and a genuine commitment to your well‑being.
Rev. Dr. Mark L. Heilshorn, LMT, MMP
★★★★★ 100+ Five-Star Google Reviews
★★★★★
If one massage won’t be enough…
Sometimes the right answer is not a different massage. It is a better plan.
If your pain keeps coming back, if you have been managing the same tightness for months, or if you know your body needs more than a single session, one of our programs may be the better fit. At Dharma Massage & Wellness, we offer longer-term care for people who are ready to stop chasing short-term relief and start making real progress.
The Ultimate Package
In-Home Sessions
If convenience matters just as much as results, The Ultimate Package, In-Home Sessions brings our most complete, results-driven work directly to your home anywhere in Fairfield County. No commute, no rushing back into traffic, just thoughtful care where you are most comfortable.
Services
Every session draws from a full complement of massage techniques, including:
The Root Cause Session
For someone ready to experience Dharma and find out what's actually driving their pain.
Your first session includes a full assessment and a complete therapeutic massage. We identify the root cause, build your treatment plan, and begin relieving your pain, all in one visit.
Investment: $225 (60 min) | $285 (75 min) | $345 (90 min) Discover the Root Cause Session
The Relief Program
For someone ready to make real progress and build a treatment plan that delivers lasting relief.
Five targeted sessions to treat the root cause and restore pain‑free movement. Progress tracking and tailored adjustments each visit to keep pain from returning.
Investment: $1,070 (60 min) | $1,350 (75 min) | $1,650 (90 min) Includes 5 sessions. Discover the Relief Program
The Pain-Free Program
For someone ready to fully resolve their pain and maintain a body that stays that way.
Includes a complimentary bottle of Dharma’s proprietary massage oil, Adriatic Sea, created exclusively for Dharma using organic oil sourced from the Adriatic Coast of Italy.
Investment: $2,250 (60 min) | $2,850 (75 min) | $3,450 (90 min). Discover the Pain-Free Program
FAQ
How much does a session cost?
Sessions start at $225 for 60 minutes and $235 for prenatal, lymphatic drainage and myoskeletal work. A focused 30 minute treatment is $200. Five and ten session programs are also available.
What is the difference between clinical bodywork and a spa massage?
A spa massage is built around relaxation. Clinical bodywork starts with an assessment, then treats the cause of the pain rather than the symptom.
What happens during a first visit?
New clients start with the Root Cause Session: a full assessment followed by a complete therapeutic treatment in the same visit, with a plan for what comes next.
Are there areas that should not be massaged during pregnancy?
Yes. Certain points and positions are avoided, and all prenatal work is done with side-lying positioning and pressure adapted to your trimester.
What is the difference between deep tissue and sports massage
Deep tissue works on chronic tension and adhesions. Sports massage is organised around training and events, working on range of motion and recovery timing.
Is a program better than a single session?
One session can shift things. A program builds the change: progressive sessions reduce pain, improve function and prevent the tension pattern from returning.
