I apologize for the small novel...to give a little background on how Dena has changed my life. I am 5'9" 215 former college catcher, former competitive powerlifter, and former amateur bodybuilder. From the age of 14 - 32 baseball and weight training were the most important thing in my life. Through the almost 2 decades of training and competition, I have destroyed my hips, low back, shoulders, and accumulated very little flexibility. This all caught up with me 5 years ago. I saw 3 different chiropractors, had MRI's, heat/ice treatment, yoga, acupuncture, the list goes on. While all these treatments helped, nothing worked for good. I have seen Dena once a week for almost 11 weeks as of 9/9/20. She could be an Avenger with the power and magic in her hands...and especially her feet! She has literally brought me back from the athletic burn pile. All the heavy weights and baseball are long in my rear view mirror, however I now have a love for Mixed Martial Arts. She has been able to release my hips and low back that I can now touch the ground bent over straight legged when prior to seeing Dena i could barely get past my knees. She has unlocked my body from head to toe. While my issues WERE hips and low back, she has awaken my entire body. She can dig into my shin and i feel it in my hip, she can apply perfect pressure to my chest and I feel it in my shoulder blade. The list goes on. After 4 weeks with Dena, I felt confident enough to engage in a heavy bag session. After my first round of 3 minutes, I had to stop to wipe away the tears. I have not been this loose and agile in half a decade. She is worth ten times what she charges. Good luck finding someone in the State, let alone the Metro, who does what she does. She is truly a gift and I thank God daily that I was able to stumble upon her. Her Studio is very private, extremely welcoming, very relaxing, and has FREE PARKING off Grand Freaking Ave!!! Dena truly cares about your health and correcting your imbalances. If she can heal you in one session, she will and see you on your way. For how jacked up my body was, she has finally provided me with a light at the end of the tunnel...and with every session that light gets bigger and bigger. If you are in pain and have tried everything else, give Dena a shot because its the best decision I have ever made for my body. Thanks Dena!! read more

I'm from MN and was in the Austin area to visit a friend and had a bit of down time so I threw in what became to be the best massage I've ever had hands down. I've had cupping done before but Dena's Technique was something I've never experienced. My past experience led me to believe that applying six cups to me and the therapist leaving the room for 5-10 minutes and coming back to do the same in a second set of locations was normal and the only way. Dena moves the cups around the entire area of the back in motion which made it a completely different experience and felt so good! Not only was this more effective to the entire back but more time efficient which ultimately left more time for other bodywork. I made her aware of an old baseball injury I had to my shoulder which was a torn labrum that led to surgery. I'll just say Dena worked her magic and I can truly say I have increased motion and posture to that shoulder. I would say it was like three massages for the price of one but I can't even begin to compare any of my previous massage therapy to what Applied Pressure gave me. Thank you Dena, your work was truly the cherry of my mini getaway and beyond! read more

An hour well spent! I'm an athlete and suffer from IT band issues and am 8 months post op tendon debridement, knee surgery. I'm very hesitant to get messages or have anyone who may claim to be qualified get near my legs because of how much damage I've already done to them just from daily physical activity. Despite Dena being highly recommended to me, I was still nervous to have yet another massage therapist work on me only to make things worse. I-was-SO-wrong!! Honestly, If you're looking for someone who is not only experienced but knowledgable please go see Dena. I'm in awe of what dry needling and physical therapy couldn't take care of but she could. I usually only get massages to help with issues, I don't spend the money for relaxation, but on top of working through my 'hot spots', she worked on other areas I didn't even know were giving me problems. She also used organic, all-natural coconut oil instead of scented, colored chemical induced garbage massage oil. It's very clear Dena cares for her clients well-being. read more

In the past month I had 3 massages at AP. My choice was Patti as my masseuse. I am a 70 yr old female with less dense muscle mass than youngsters. With pain symptoms from my head through my pelvis I desired a deep, but not super deep, massage. Feeling better was my goal. Too deep of a massage could have left me feeling sore for a couple of days. I wanted immediate relief. Patti listened to my wishes and performed the desired depth beautifully. After each massage I felt 10 yrs younger and incredibly limber. Three massages, each 1 week apart, was the recommended treatment for my locked up musculature. I followed AP's suggestion and am living proof that 3 is the magical number. Choosing Patti at AP was a marvelous decision. I will continue to make appointments and request Patti for " tune-ups as the need arises. I highly recommend Applied Pressure and its staff. read more

With a myriad of stiff, aching muscles and joints from my feet to my neck and all points in- between to show for 70 years of physical activity, both athletic and otherwise, I sought to find the best deep tissue massage therapist in Austin. I found her in Dena at Applied Pressure. Dena has a thorough understanding and mastery of the science and mechanics of her profession. More importantly, she has an innate and practiced ability to listen to her clients' concerns and to target the precise source of the problem. With great skill, she applies the right treatment to the right spots, resulting in the best massage, ever. It's obvious that Dena absolutely loves her work, and genuinely enjoys bringing relief and renewed vigor to her clients. With Dena's help on a regular basis, I'm looking forward to many more years of basketball, biking, hiking and lifting weights. read more

I've seen Dena twice now for massages. They are the first legit massages I've ever received. Most in the past were pretty light-pressure and more soothing-type massages. But, now that I am active in rock climbing, I need some real work done and Dena is definitely the woman for the job. The first appointment I am told I didn't "let her in." I was fighting against the deep tissue quite a bit, but the second round I seemed to ease up more, which meant she could really work her magic. A few days after each of my appointments I noticed the tightness and the limited mobility I came in with disappeared. She does such an amazing job! The music she chooses as well as the products she uses for the massage are great, too; I never left feeling overly scented or oily. Five stars for a great therapeutic massage and stellar customer service. Highly recommend! read more

Dena is the owner and principle therapist of Applied Pressure. I have been receiving regular bodywork for 20yrs and she is one of the most talented people I've ever worked with. She went to massage "grad" school in Oregon and I'd wager you've never had a massage like hers. She does things her own way. So much better then the cookie cutter routine you're likely to get from folks educated locally. Her work is very therapeutic & deep, but also gentle with finesse. She has a great bedside manner and sense of humor. She's very knowledgable but also "down to earth" and approachable. She answers your questions without talking down to you. Just makes you feel great all around. Her office is adorable. It's located in a cool new mixed use building on South Lamar. Get yourself on her schedule. You'll be glad you did. Brimm W. Austin, TX read more

Dena has a gift. Wow! It is usually hard for me to relax during a massage due to pain in various area. I can't handle intense pressure even when I may need it. She has a strong intuitive ability to read the muscles and get close to that threshold to heal it, without going past it. The ambiance and layout is intimate and conducive for relaxation. It is hard to write this review as my forearms feel like they are tied to little clouds suspending them above my laptop. There was only one better massage experience in my life and it was at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur overlooking the cool ocean with sun on my skin. I was lucky to have a massage right here in Austin that rivaled that experience. I will be back without a doubt. Thank you Dena, your hands and feet work wonders! Kale read more

I had a 90-minute deep tissue with Patty, and honestly... I left questioning whether she secretly has a PhD in fascia wizardry. At times it felt like she was pressing invisible reset buttons in my body. stress, anxiety, tension... boop, released. Patty's demeanor is incredibly calm and grounded, and she's genuinely so kind (while also being wildly good at what she does - a rare and beautiful combo). The ashiatsu was next-level amazing and something I'd never experienced before. Being worked on with her feet somehow unlocked places in my body I didn't even know existed. It was one of those massages where you float out afterward feeling like a brand-new human. Highly recommend! this is truly an experience everyone should have at least once (and then keep coming back for). read more

I was referred to Dena, the owner of Applied Pressure by a friend of mine that swore that this would be be the most thorough and deep massage of my life, but well worth it. I have been suffering from shin splints on and off again for most of my 20's and am supposed to be doing my first Triathlon this month. i really thought i may have to back out from competing in the Tri because of all my leg pains. Thankfully, i saw Dena and wow, is she talented. She spent and hour and half on my calves and, although it was intense, I think she cured me. It has been about 2 days since the massage and I feel no pain. she said it may take more than one session to get control of what's going on with my body, but after just one session I'm feeling like a new person. read more

For over 5 years, I have been to several massage therapist for a variety of different styles of therapy. I had the best deep tissue and massage two months ago from Dena. I tend to have a very tight muscles. She's uses just the right pressure and technique to have me feeling new again. Also, she will give recommendations to help me put less stress and be healthier on my body (exp.: posture and typing). The studio where her business is located is a perfect for relaxation as well. The lighting is dim and the oil she uses is very calming. If you are looking for an incredible experience in a massage and for your heath, then visit Dena. You will leave feeling new and refreshed. read more

I've spent a lot of time, and money looking for someone who can point out & fix the trouble spots I've been living with for far too long, and Dena always does a great job when working on me. As soon as I get in to see her, she asks me questions to see what I've been troubled with since the last time I came in for a session, and really focuses on the areas she can feel needs the most attention. After a session with her I feel so rejuvenated that I find myself looking forward to the next time I visit to continue the expert treatment she provides, and that for so long I've needed. We're getting there Dena! Thanks again for all that you do- see you soon : ) read more

There are massages and then there are MASSAGES! I was new to Austin about 6 months ago and was working out at a high intensity gym. After the workout, I asked out loud, "can anyone recommend a great massage person?" Three people almost simultaneously said "Dena at Applied Pressure." Needless to say, they were all spot on. Dena is absolutely the best. I've had neck and shoulder issues for years, but Dena gets right to the root of it. If you are looking for that gentle spa massage, this isn't it. If you're looking for serious, deep healing...Dena at Applied Pressure is absolutely the best. read more

Dena and her team at Applied Pressure are the best bodyworkers I have come across. Dena's deep understanding of kinesiology and the human body allow her identify and alleviate issues that extensive stretching, rolling, and even other therapists cannot help with. Dena has helped me prepare for and recover from long races, and is always helpful with general maintenance. I have been to other places and have tried a number of techniques to alleviate misalignment from a desk job and recover from activity--nothing comes close to the progress I make after a session with Dena. read more

A gift from my daughter brought me to a session with Dena. I am new to massages so what I'll say is pretty simple. It is the best thing I've ever done for my body (at least since I started accumulating injuries). So strange and fantastic that my neck no longer travels over gravel when I turn my head, to give one example of my experience. I lift and stretch without the aches and twinges that I thought were payment for continuing to exercise as I age. My thanks to Dena for her amazing skill. I will be back! read more

I am an athlete, avid body work consumer, and licensed massage therapist for over 17 years. I've received some amazing work in my life and Dena rises to the exceptional level! I have heard that she is the BEST and can indeed confirm the designation! The next time I visit Austin, I will build my time around getting treatment with her because it is incredibly effective. She is a true gem and has a deep understanding of the human body. I trust and recommend her highly. read more

Dena was mentioned by a friend after I received a neck injury from a vehicle accident a few weeks ago. Within a single session I was able to sleep, something that had been extremely difficult due to the pain. After our second session it felt as if the accident never happened. I now frequent Applied Pressure and have Dena fix any physical ailment I might have, or if I'm just feeling like a deep tissue massage :) read more

So grateful I found Dena! I've gotten some very excellent massages in Austin, but this IS "the best" bodywork/therapy in town!! Years of chronic issues have been turned around with her therapy. She intuitively uses many different modalities, techniques and therapies to find the areas that hold tension and releases it. Effective results have brought me tremendous relief. A master-healer at her craft. read more

I've been getting massages on a fairly regular basis for the last 15 years and have always left feeling like the therapist didn't quite know what they were doing and left so many areas untouched. Dena knew EXACTLY where I was hurting and gave me the most thorough massage I have ever had. I fully plan on seeing Dena as frequently as possible. Well worth every penny. read more