Sara Petersen, LMT

I went to see Sara for the first time 7 weeks ago. I was having extreme low back and hip pain due to pelvic instability, hypermobility, and weakness. Sara carefully listened to all of the details about my body and pain and helped me to understand my injuries through the use of illustrations and skeletal models. She not only is well educated and experienced with massage and the musculoskeletal system but also has suffered injuries as an athlete so she can relate to you in a compassionate way and can empathize with your pain. She is very encouraging and not only an amazing LMT but has also helped me (and my daughter!) with my posture and with strengthen exercises.
I’ve had a lot of massages in the past and I can honestly say that NO ONE has ever been able to pin point exactly where my body needed to be touched better than Sara. Each week she checks in with me and at the end the Rolfing session does a little touch up on the area that is causing me pain. She really gets in there and creates space and is able relieve the pain in my hip from a compressed nerve that I have suffered from for over a year with no relief. Each week I look forward to seeing her because I know that I will feel better afterwards and will be one step closer to healing. Sara is a talented healer, she’s funny, compassionate, dedicated, and extremely knowledgeable about anatomy, massage, and exercise. I credit her structural integration series with giving me relief from pain that would otherwise prohibit me from doing the exercises I need to do to in order to heal my injuries. Basically, she’s a badass.

I have been going to Sara for several years for both Rolfing and massage. She is an exceptional therapist who is able to diagnose and treat problem areas with great skill. She is always doing further study and can utilize a wide variety of techniques in her therapy. She has a very inviting and comfortable space for both Rolfing and massage located just off Alberta. One thing that is very important to me is the cleanliness of the studio and this is another area in which Sara excels. I have known several massage therapists over the years and Sara is the best I have found and do not hesitate in giving her my highest recommendation.

I have been seeing Sara for over a year now for a variety of running and cycling injuries and general back and neck issues that come from doing too much computer work. I can confidently say Sara is not only the most talented massage therapist I’ve seen, but also the most genuinely caring and dedicated practitioner I’ve known.
And she’s got the cred to back it — Sara is a graduate of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy (the best school in the country) and has never stopped learning ever since — structural integration, sports rehab, auto accident care, deep tissue massage, mayofacial release, and more are all within her grasp. She’s taken the time to learn anatomy and trigger points in depth and really gets to the heart of whatever issue it is you’re experiencing — I honestly feel like she knows as much about the human body as my PT who officially went to school for 8 years — so, she doesn’t just do relaxation (can do of course if that’s what you need), she really gets in there and fixes the tissues (over multiple sessions if called for) so you can truly heal.
And speaking of heels — did I mention she went out and got a book to learn more about the heel issue I was dealing with — and then spent time before our session explaining everything she’s be working on and some of the potential causes/​cures? That’s dedication to your client. She’s even helped me keep my injury in perspective — she’s worked on top level triathletes in Boulder and knows first-​hand what it’s like to deal with what can be a long-​road back to the sports you love.
To wrap up — Portland is lucky to have her services available. If you’re a runner, cyclist, rock-​climber, crossfit type, skier, or just overworked cube dweller, you need to get in to see her!

Sara Petersen has a beautiful space for massage therapy and Rolfing just off Alberta. She has an extreme wealth of knowledge when it comes to the anatomy and physiology of pain and injury. She provides massage and myofacial release that is specific to her clients needs. She has strong hands that can provide whatever amount of pressure that is requested. She even uses Graston or «scraping» techniques as a part of her practice. She accepts multiple types of insurance and is available for post motor vehicle accident therapy. Sara is the best massage therapist I have seen to date and I recommend her without hesitation.

I have had many massages from many therapists in the past and I can say unequivocally, SARA IS THE BEST! I am a group exercise instructor who also sometimes runs half marathons and given the abuse I put my body through, it is extremely important that I take care of my body so it can perform at its best. Sara’s massages do just that! Over the last decade, she has helped me through existing injuries, prevented further injury and relaxed my body and my mind. She patiently listens to you describe how your body is feeling, as well as any areas of concern before each session so she knows how to proceed. Her knowledge of the musculoskeletal system combined with her high skill level and the intuitive, caring nature of her therapies create a relaxing, healing and restorative experience for any one she gets her hands on. She takes the time to educate clients on possible sources of injury and how they can be prevented or alleviated because her understanding of the workings of the body is so deep. In addition, she is a Structural Integration or Rolfing practitioner which I have found to only add to her vast knowledge. She can help any injury or issue you are having. She has even recently started taking insurance for motor vehicle accidents. Please do yourself a favor, CALL SARA! You won’t regret it.

I have been going to Sara for massage for about 10 years. 10 years! Each time I leave feeling the perfect mix of relaxed, energized and healed. Sara is intuitive, super strong without being too forceful and knows a lot about how bodies work. If you are looking for an amazing massage therapist, look no further.

Sara is an exceptional massage therapist. Her knowledge and insight run deep. And she has the mad skills to go with. I have yet to go through Rolfing with her, but it is a goal of mine because I’m pretty sure it would be life changing.

Sara is, hands down, the best massage therapist I have ever experienced. Period. End of story. I have been getting pretty regular massage for the last 10 years. I can tell you that it is not easy to find a therapist who is experienced, knowledgeable, strong yet gentle and a good listener. But Sara embodies all that and more. Her 15 + years of experience working with injuries has made her the perfect practitioner for me. She was eager to treat my injuries from a motor vehicle accident (MVA) 8 months ago and is helping me stay as pain free as possible. And she is happy to bill my insurance from the MVA as well. She knows her anatomy and has many different techniques to go from surface tension to deep tissue problems. She has a beautiful office which is peaceful, clean and private in an easily accessible area of north Portland. Even though I live in Beaverton, I would rather drive 20 miles to see Sara than go to anyone else!

Never having experienced Rolfing before I was hesitant to try this therapy. If you have the right practitioner this can really be a great experience. Sarah has a wonderful way of explaining your body in plain English. Though not a medical doctor she has some amazing ideas of healing. If you’ve ever considered Rolfing, Sarah is a great therapist to try an alternative natural art of healing. Stop reading and send her an inquiry!

Don’t hesitate. Make an appointment. Feel amazing.
Sara has been an awesome find for me. As a runner who sometimes runs too much for my calves, feet and hips to handle, Sara has been amazing at keeping me going. She not only does an awesome sports massage, unmatched in PDX, but also really helps me understand what muscles are doing what and I get anatomy class each and every time. A huge value add for me as a coach. Her space in inner NE Portland is fabulous: warm on the cold days, cool on the warm days and calming as well as inviting.
Her deep tissue work has been instrumental in keeping me running. I was moved to write this review because at my last massage she really helped me see that I could run the races of my dreams and she is keeping me healthy and strong to get me there! She is for sure a part of my team.
I pay her directly but I know she takes insurance for MVAs. She also does Structural Integration (Rolfing) which I am considering for the off season.
Are you seriously still reading this. Give her a call and make an appt. She will make you feel great.

WOW! I can not believe Sara does not have a million five star reviews! She is usually kept quite busy with clients visiting her for rolfing and massage. Her background as an athlete with several of her own injuries brings an incredible depth and compassion to her practices.
I worked with Sara while I was a trapeze performer and instructor. Bodywork is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in that demanding field. Sara met me with the respect and understanding that I know my body very well and the extreme nature of the work I do. I am not your typical client. I am easily brushed off in the western health care world because they see I am flexible and think «what are you complaining about?» This was very frustrating! If you want to perform at an elite level and be understood by someone who can help you get there, talk to Sara. She understands injury and recovery too and wherever you are at in your process you will learn a lot from working with Sara– It’s not just a backrub! It’s educational.
I would never waste my time getting a massage from someone i dont know to be excellent– it can do more harm than good if you are not careful! That said, if you are in portland, consider yourself lucky that you can get a massage from this talented woman! If I get injured again– I’m gonna have to move to Portland!

Sara Petersen is one of the top bodywork practitioners in the world. THE WORLD. She’s way too humble to tell you this, but I can tell you that she is the reason I am such a successful massage therapist; I was lucky to be her student in massage training. Her knowledge of the body and musculoskeletal systems and what to do to help restore function and decrease pain far surpasses that of most physical therapists deep tissue massage practitioners.
Her approach to bodywork and Rolfing is functional, practical, and most of all, she wants you to understand why you are having pain and what to do about it. Most massage therapists and physical therapists don’t know how to relate that information, so even after years of massage or bodywork you will still be mystified as to the source of your pain. Sara cares about you feeling as good as you can, and will work with you to get you there.
Sara is the best, hands down.