SANTA CRUZ MASSAGE THERAPY
Less Pain, More Passion
Integrating techniques from eastern and western modalities
Sean Fitinghoff
CAMTC Certification # 97289
Sean’s passion for helping others is deeply rooted in his own experiences, both in the construction industry and as a certified massage therapist. After witnessing many colleagues struggle with injuries and only finding partial relief through traditional medical treatments, he discovered the transformative power of massage. This led him to shift his career focus to massage therapy, driven by a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of his clients. His goal is clear: to provide personalized care that helps people alleviate pain, regain mobility, and fully enjoy their lives. With a commitment to ongoing learning and refinement, Sean works to ensure his clients receive the best treatment possible, offering lasting relief through tailored massage sessions.
Living and working in Santa Cruz, Sean is deeply connected to the community. He values the natural beauty and holistic lifestyle that define the area, which aligns perfectly with his approach to healing. By combining his expertise in both Eastern and Western massage techniques, Sean offers a personalized experience that caters to each client’s unique needs. Whether it's relieving stress, addressing pain, or improving mobility, Sean’s focus is always on providing the highest level of care, right here in Santa Cruz, where he believes healing should be a personalized, local experience.
Living and working in Santa Cruz, Sean is deeply connected to the community. He values the natural beauty and holistic lifestyle that define the area, which aligns perfectly with his approach to healing. By combining his expertise in both Eastern and Western massage techniques, Sean offers a personalized experience that caters to each client’s unique needs. Whether it's relieving stress, addressing pain, or improving mobility, Sean’s focus is always on providing the highest level of care, right here in Santa Cruz, where he believes healing should be a personalized, local experience.
Personalized Massage Therapy in Santa Cruz: Tailored to Your Unique Needs
In Santa Cruz, every massage session I provide is uniquely designed to address your specific needs. At the start of each session, we'll have a detailed discussion about any discomforts or areas of limited movement that may be affecting your daily activities, rest, and overall mobility. I’ll then perform a hands-on evaluation, palpating (gently touching) muscle groups and observing your posture to understand how your body is responding. Based on both your input and my observations, I’ll explain what you can expect from the session to ensure you're fully informed before we begin the massage.
Ongoing Care and Relief with Tailored Massage in Santa Cruz
After your massage, I will check in with you to ensure you’re feeling the desired relief and comfort. I’ll offer personalized recommendations for ongoing care, helping you maintain your well-being long after the session. With my holistic approach, I combine both Eastern and Western massage techniques, such as [list specific techniques], to ensure that you receive the most effective treatment for your body’s needs.
Swedish
Swedish massage is a therapeutic technique that uses long, flowing strokes, kneading, and circular movements to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension.
Deep tissue
Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic technique that applies firm pressure and slow strokes to target deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue, helping to relieve chronic pain and muscle tension.
Myofascial therapy
Myofascial therapy involves restoring muscles to optimal conditions through the removal of fascial adhesions and the increase of healing blood flow. This modality is performed using deep, short, longitudinal, and cross-fiber strokes.
Sports massage
Sports massage, whether pre-event or post-event, employs rapid, light massage techniques and stretching. It promotes increased blood circulation.
Lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle, rhythmic technique designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, reduce fluid retention, and support immune function by encouraging the natural movement of lymph fluid throughout the body.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that applies rhythmic pressure using fingers, palms, and thumbs along energy meridians to promote balance, relieve tension, and enhance overall well-being.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapeutic technique that applies pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, corresponding to different organs and systems in the body, to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and support overall health.
Reviews
Louiie Padilla
Sean is your go-to!
Sean is an absolutely incredible massage therapist who not only listens to his clients’ needs but truly cares about their well-being. His warmth, kindness, and deep passion for healing shine through in every session. Sean’s genuine love for his work is evident in the way he tailors each massage with perfect pressure and technique to target problem areas, leaving you feeling not just relaxed, but deeply rejuvenated. His sweet, loving, and caring nature makes every visit feel like a true experience of comfort and healing. I cannot recommend him enough! If you’re looking for someone who’s as passionate about your well-being as you are, Sean is your go-to!
Patrick Davis
Highly recommended!
I’m 57. Well, at least on paper. But sometimes, in the gym, I forget that minor detail and lift like I’m still in my 30s—only to be reminded later (quite painfully) that I am, in fact, not.
Enter Sean, a master at figuring out exactly what I did to myself before I even finish explaining. His approach is like that of a great engineer diagnosing a complex system failure—except in this case, the “system” is my overworked, underappreciated muscles. Before even laying a hand on me, he asks all the right questions, piecing together my self-inflicted gym disaster like a detective solving a case.
Then comes the real magic—his ability to find the actual root of the problem. He’d press in a certain spot and casually ask, “How does that feel?” and before I could answer with something dignified, my body would involuntarily twitch in a way that clearly said, “Yep, that’s the spot.” Within minutes, he would map out what’s really going on and get to work with a level of precision that should be patented.
But here’s what makes Sean truly exceptional: his touch. He knows exactly how to ease deep into the muscles that need help without making me feel like I’m being interrogated by pain itself. Unlike other massage therapists who have left me wondering if I owed them money, Sean works through tension methodically and effectively—no unnecessary suffering required.
Beyond that, he’s constantly researching and refining his techniques, much like an engineer looking for a better design. After our first session, he went back, did some extra thinking, and adjusted his approach for my next visit—and the improvement was huge! He even suggested I see a chiropractor for my neck, which turned out to be exactly what I needed.
Bottom line: Sean is intelligent, skilled, and intuitive, with a gift for making this 57-year-old body feel a whole lot younger. If you’re looking for someone who doesn’t just go through the motions but truly understands how to fix what hurts, look no further.
Highly recommend—just don’t expect him to stop you from lifting too heavy in the first place. That part’s on you.
Enter Sean, a master at figuring out exactly what I did to myself before I even finish explaining. His approach is like that of a great engineer diagnosing a complex system failure—except in this case, the “system” is my overworked, underappreciated muscles. Before even laying a hand on me, he asks all the right questions, piecing together my self-inflicted gym disaster like a detective solving a case.
Then comes the real magic—his ability to find the actual root of the problem. He’d press in a certain spot and casually ask, “How does that feel?” and before I could answer with something dignified, my body would involuntarily twitch in a way that clearly said, “Yep, that’s the spot.” Within minutes, he would map out what’s really going on and get to work with a level of precision that should be patented.
But here’s what makes Sean truly exceptional: his touch. He knows exactly how to ease deep into the muscles that need help without making me feel like I’m being interrogated by pain itself. Unlike other massage therapists who have left me wondering if I owed them money, Sean works through tension methodically and effectively—no unnecessary suffering required.
Beyond that, he’s constantly researching and refining his techniques, much like an engineer looking for a better design. After our first session, he went back, did some extra thinking, and adjusted his approach for my next visit—and the improvement was huge! He even suggested I see a chiropractor for my neck, which turned out to be exactly what I needed.
Bottom line: Sean is intelligent, skilled, and intuitive, with a gift for making this 57-year-old body feel a whole lot younger. If you’re looking for someone who doesn’t just go through the motions but truly understands how to fix what hurts, look no further.
Highly recommend—just don’t expect him to stop you from lifting too heavy in the first place. That part’s on you.
Pete (Kyle) D.
Honest, sincere, thoughtful and professional.
A godsend with 7 different techniques with immediate results.
When I get stressed out, I'm a worrier, my left shoulder blade muscles tighten like cables on the Golden Gate Bridge, then imagine the cables are on fire. FUN!
Luckily for me, I found Sean's different techniques allow me to sleep, relax, feel comfortable and in control with immediate pain relief.
Sean is amazingly trained and experienced in 7, yes 7 different methods, allowing customized solutions since we are all unique.
He is NOT a one size fits all, which is extraordinary to me. I truly have never known a massage therapist with so many methods.
Deep tissue and Swedish massage work best for me, but the great part is Sean explores and discusses different techniques for the best, immediate relief. I'm also trying Sean's other methods for a "whole body", proactive approach to be more in control of my body.
Being honest, sincere, thoughtful and professional, Sean has the know how, dedication and passion to get results.
If that is something you desire, he is well worth your time and money to at least try, with very reasonable rates.
When I get stressed out, I'm a worrier, my left shoulder blade muscles tighten like cables on the Golden Gate Bridge, then imagine the cables are on fire. FUN!
Luckily for me, I found Sean's different techniques allow me to sleep, relax, feel comfortable and in control with immediate pain relief.
Sean is amazingly trained and experienced in 7, yes 7 different methods, allowing customized solutions since we are all unique.
He is NOT a one size fits all, which is extraordinary to me. I truly have never known a massage therapist with so many methods.
Deep tissue and Swedish massage work best for me, but the great part is Sean explores and discusses different techniques for the best, immediate relief. I'm also trying Sean's other methods for a "whole body", proactive approach to be more in control of my body.
Being honest, sincere, thoughtful and professional, Sean has the know how, dedication and passion to get results.
If that is something you desire, he is well worth your time and money to at least try, with very reasonable rates.