Every member of the DTMC team is dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality of care and attention, and achieve an optimal state of health.
Colin Silverman
My Practice: For the last 20 years I’ve worked full-time as a massage therapist, refining and perfecting my craft, and deepening my understanding of structural bodywork. I am deeply devoted to the treatment and alleviation of both acute and chronic pain, helping athletes to increase performance, and helping my clients live pain-free, balanced, and healthy lives.
I’ve developed a unique and highly specific form of bodywork focused on pain relief and optimal performance. My integrative approach to Orthopedic Massage includes postural assessment, myofascial and structural alignment, Deep Tissue Massage, trigger point work, and stretching and alignment exercises specifically designed to speed the healing process.
I am honored to receive ongoing referrals from physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, personal trainers, orthopedic surgeons, and current clients. They put their trust in me because of my strong commitment and ability to successfully alleviate muscular pain and enhance quality of life and athletic performance for my clients. I work closely with other practitioners to ensure our joint clients receive the highest quality of care.
I am fortunate to work with professional athletes from the NBA, MLB, as well as competitive athletes in mountain biking, golf, tennis, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, martial arts, competitive weightlifting, and other sports. There is so much joy in working with these top athletes, seeing the improvement in their performance, and the role I play in mitigating further injuries.
Background: My fascination with muscles and body mechanics began at the age of nine when I started practicing martial arts. I’ve had the privilege of studying and teaching numerous styles of martial arts over the years, which has allowed me to examine the body mechanics and physics that makes each style uniquely effective. I also went through a fifteen-year period of intense weightlifting that deepened my understanding of individual muscle functions and joint ranges of motion. These experiences allowed me to internalize and visualize the way our musculature works, and they are instrumental in my ability to get the best results for my clients.
The knowledge I gained from these interests and the understanding of how the body works would motivate me to leave a successful career as an art director in the mid-90s to devote my energies to the healing arts and helping others. I began my massage studies in Northern California and moved to Santa Barbara to continue studying at the Body Therapy Institute (BTI) where I studied Neuromuscular Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Myofascial Release. At that time I was also enrolled as a full time student at the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine. My massage practice became so busy, that after two years at SBCOM, I chose to focus all my energy on massage, taking with me the theory and principles of Chinese Medicine. I was and continue to be highly motivated to improve my skill set in order to best serve my clients, and consider myself not only a professional therapist but a life-long student.
Personal Life and Causes: In my spare time I enjoy teaching and training in martial arts, reading and studying, drawing and painting, kayaking, SUPing, and spending time with my wife and family. Giving back to the community is important to both me and my wife, Jill. We support many worthwhile causes including a local non-profit, AHA! (Attitude.Harmony.Achievement). AHA! is an educations program committed to transforming the world by empowering teens to create peaceful and connected communities. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful community, and it is an honor to be of service to all our amazing clients!
License #97-0199
Christina Klein (on leave until January 2022)
As a Certified Massage Practitioner and as a Certified Personal Trainer, It is my mission to help you get out of pain and injury and help you live a functionally sound life. The human body craves and needs movement to survive and when we develop pain as a symptom, the body is asking for change. It is my ultimate goal to help bring your body back into alignment and to create an environment that promotes positive change. My practice is a combination of muscle and connective tissue work, and muscular and movement re-patterning.
I’m certified at the highest level in Neurokinetic Therapy, and I often assist in instruction at seminars.
I’m also certified in Active Release Technique, Anatomy in Motion, and Scolimethod. In a session I combine these modalities into a powerful and adaptable treatment plan that focuses on discovering the source of pain and finding the root of the problem, versus just treating the symptom. By re-patterning the motor control center within your brain we can change compensatory movement patterns and recreate functional movement within your body.
I grew up in Maui, where my mother earned a living as a massage therapist. I saw firsthand the difference she made in her client’s lives, and the importance of body work in treating and preventing injuries. Little did I know that I would soon find out first-hand the benefits of body-work. I began playing competitive tennis at the age of nine, and I was ultimately awarded a scholarship to play collegiate level tennis at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. During my freshman year I experienced a low back injury that prevented me from playing at my optimum potential. At that time, I was told that I may have been suffering from a bulging disk, and that I needed an MRI to determine what further treatment I would need. I opted out of the MRI (although I do feel in some cases it is a valuable tool), and while home for winter holiday, I received two weeks of Active Release Technique therapy, along with other massage modalities. This resulted in a dramatic increase in range of motion and a significant decrease in my pain level. I was able to return to the tennis court in no time!
Although I battled lower back and repetitive-use shoulder injuries during my next three years as a college tennis player, I learned how much difference it made to prepare one’s body through training, and how massage and movement therapy could dramatically increase one’s range of motion, functionality, and performance.
I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology at Westmont College, became a Certified Massage Practitioner, and a Certified Personal Trainer. I believe that taking care of oneself, challenging yourself to learn new things, and improving your mind and body is the key to progressive growth, success, and well-being. My training in Orthopedic Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Neurokinetic Therapy, and Deep Tissue Massage allows me to help clients live up to their potential, live pain-free healthy lives, increase their athletic performances, and have fun!
I currently live with my husband in Santa Barbara, and I enjoy playing recreational tennis and Ultimate Frisbee on the weekends. My daily exercise routine includes functional training, suspension training at home, and yoga.
License #66122
Dana Lofstrom
My practice: As a massage therapist and body worker I take a holistic approach to helping clients reach their health and performance goals, and strive to match their needs as they change from session to session. I provide a therapeutic, informative, and healing environment where both the client and the therapist are involved in learning more about the client’s body and solving related patterns of dysfunction. I believe clear communication and trust are key to providing the best treatments possible. I specialize in assessing and correcting muscular imbalances, mobility restrictions, myofascial pain, and stress-strain patterns by combining manual therapies such as slow and focused Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Massage, and cupping. My ultimate goal is to get you feeling great and moving pain free!
Background: Two important influences led me to become a massage therapist: my life-long interest in kinesiology as a weight lifter, and the encouragement of my wife (a long-time massage therapist) to pursue this career. After studying at the Oregon School of Massage, in 2015 I opened my private practice in Portland, where I worked as a full-time massage therapist for six years. In the summer of 2021 I relocated to beautiful Santa Barbara to get back to my California roots. I look forward to many years of continued learning, growing, and helping others through my intuitive bodywork.
It has been a powerful and rewarding experience to work with a wide range of clients, and it is always an honor to help clients recover from acute or chronic pain, recover from surgery, or achieve peak athletic performance. Our bodies crave movement, yet rest and recover time are equally as important to avoid pain and injuries. We all deserve and need to slow down and incorporate healthy self-care into our daily routines, and I truly believe that massage care is the best way to bring our bodies back into balance and to expedite the healing process.
Personal Life and Interests: My wife and I enjoy the mountains and coast with our goofy Weimaraner, Hans. I practice what I preach by staying active and having fun doing hypertrophy weight training, cycling, surfing, swimming, and SUPing as much as possible. This year I”m looking forward to completing Santa Barbara sailing courses and also training for next year’s local triathlon.
License #86956
Sophia Denison-Johnston
My practice: As a massage practitioner, personal trainer, and lifelong athlete, I am deeply devoted to all aspects of physical health and athletic performance. I strive to work with each client to determine a treatment plan that is right for them. I intend that my clients leave with a greater understanding of how their body works and how to better care for it. By tuning into the client’s body, I choose the manual approach that seems most appropriate to treat their issues.
I incorporate a variety of manual therapies including Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), stretching, pin and stretch, trigger point work, and detailed-oriented Orthopedic Massage. My goal is to work with the nervous system, re-establishing trust and safety within the body and mind and encouraging muscles to release. I believe that communication with the client and good listening skills along with careful assessment lay the foundation for a successful session.
Background: As a lifelong athlete, beginning with gymnastics and aerial arts, and later as a rower through high school, college, and beyond, I have a deep understanding and passion for how the body functions and adapts. As my training load increased in college, I suffered various injuries due to overuse and poor posture (low back pain, runner’s knee, shoulder impingement/dislocations, and stress fractured ribs); discovering the necessary balance between stress and rest was instrumental in my recoveries. I found that receiving regular bodywork allowed me to address postural issues that improperly loaded my body, preventing injuries before they could happen and improving performance. The practice of maintaining and prioritizing my recovery through bodywork has been crucial to my success as an elite athlete, culminating most recently at the 2020 USA Olympic trials where I placed 4th.
I now coach elite athletes, am a personal trainer, and am a practicing massage therapist at the Deep Tissue Massage Center. I attended the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute where I received training in all of the fundamentals for successful bodywork. I also trained side-by-side with Colin in Deep Tissue and Orthopedic Massage. I am a lifelong learner and consistently look for ways to grow as a practitioner.
Personal Life and Interests: These days I continue to train, spending time on the water, as well as hiking, running, yoga, surfing, or organizing local paragliding races.
Jill Silverman
Jill Silverman comes from an 18 year background in patient advocacy in the medical non–profit sector, and concierge primary care practices. During the years she worked with the Scleroderma Research Foundation and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Jill created and facilitated patient education and support programs, providing patients with critical information on treatments and clinical trials, as well as providing psycho-social support. She honed her skills in navigating the health care system and helping patients receive the quality of care they deserve. In 2012 she joined, her husband, Colin Silverman, to expand the Deep Tissue Massage Center (DTMC). Her goal was to increase the number of clients benefiting from the exceptional therapy and results that are the hallmark of DTMC.
She is dedicated to bringing her expertise and experience to our Center, and has helped develop a client-centric philosophy and practice where each client is treated with respect, and each client receives the time and attention necessary to achieve optimal health. Together, she and Colin have built a team of exceptional therapists dedicated to improving the quality of our client’s lives. She looks forward to meeting you and making sure your experience at the DTMC brings balance and joy back into your life.
Patient/Client Advocate