Bio and Philosophy
Jennifer Whitaker, LMT — Founder, Owner & Clinical Director
NYS license #026298
- 14+ years in practice
- NYS LMT #026298
- Trauma-informed
- Wheelchair accessible
- LGBTQ+ safe space
Licensed Massage Therapist
Common Focus Areas
Common Concerns
- • TMD/TMJ-related jaw tension
- • Headache-related neck tension
- • Neck and shoulder tension
- • Back and shoulder muscle tension
- • Hip and low-back muscle tension
Activity & Recovery
- • Post-injury stiffness
- • Shoulder mobility concerns
- • Athletic overuse strain
- • Work-Related Ergonomic Strain
Sensitive Care
- • Nerve-like discomfort with muscle tension
- • Forearm and hand tension
- • Fibromyalgia-informed massage
- • Hypermobility-informed care
- • Trauma-informed care
- I can coordinate with dentists, oral surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractic providers, and mental health providers when that supports your TMD care.
- Handicap accessible office
- Trauma informed therapist
- 🏳️🌈 My office is a safe place for anyone, including the LGBTQ community!
Continuing Education:
- • TMJD Course with Ron Floyd in 2013
- • Neck Specialty by Tammi Sweet, 2014
- • Deep Bodywork with Perry & Johana at Esalen Institute, 2018
- • NAT (Trigger Point Therapy), 2019
- • 30+ hours of in-person CE in 2022 including training for joint restriction release, assessment of sports injuries and therapies, hip/pelvic release techniques, and complex knee and pelvic myofascial patterns.
Explore Focus Areas
Meet all the therapists at Massage Ithaca
The Office
"Jennifer is so full of care in her work and truly wants her patients to get better so they can stop seeing her. I went to her with acute lockjaw and by the end of 6 sessions I can open my mouth fully without pain. She is precise, helpful with recommendations to other practitioners, supplements, and stretches for the individual, and a kind soul. I'm glad she does this work in our town because I could not find another intra-oral massage therapist nearby."
Allison DeSario, 2026
"Jennifer was recommended to me by a fellow runner whose judgement I really trust. She has helped me hugely with problems in my neck/shoulder and legs - she is incredibly experienced and 'reads' the body with great sensitivity. Her new set-up at the South Hill business park is lovely - very clean, quiet and peaceful, and very easy for parking etc. She is kind and highly professional, and I always feel in very safe (and powerful!) hands when I visit."
Verity P, 2026
"To find someone who may be able to help relieve me of the chronic pain, discomfort and fatigue TMD has caused - I only wish I had made the phone call months earlier. Jen is not only professional, she is kind, compassionate, considerate, respectful, understanding, and truly empathetic to what has been happening to my jaw. Her place of business is quiet and clean; the music beautifully picked, volume set to the correct level. She is quiet and concentrated, when focused and necessary. My only negative is I wish I had started therapy sooner."
Deb Scott, 2025