"The word "massage" evoked images of a Love-Boat cruise until I met Michael Sumner a few short months ago. After 17 years of at-times incapacitating back pain, and numerous sessions with physical therapists, I was desperate to obtain more complete relief.

Massage therapy as practiced by Michael, is a therapeutic collaboration between client and therapist. Such massage is not necessarily pleasurable:, but the relief is real and apparent within a few sessions. Combined with the innovative stretching techniques he teaches, it has become, for me, sustained as well.

My personal response to therapeutic massage has caused me to rethink my referral patterns for patients, for example, with whiplash injuries after motor vehicle accidents, and chronic headaches. I am grateful and indebted to the friend who recommended him to me."

-Thomas A. Wilson, MD
Salem, OR

"I have had the pleasure of Michael Sumner's expertise in massage therapy, and feel better than I have in years! A recurrent shoulder and upper back problem has disappeared after much hard work by Michael. His knowledge of the body and what would be most beneficial during and after therapy has made all of the difference in my healing. I am grateful to find such an awesome massage therapist and I recommend him very highly to anyone needing therapeutic massage."

-Teresa Hancock, RN
Salem, OR

"Fourteen years ago, I injured my shoulder while wrestling in high school. I had surgery afterwards, and lost range of motion in my arm and have had significant pain since. I became a client of Altair in 2007 after a traffic accident. Michael was able to significantly reduce my neck pain, and was also able to completely restore the range of motion in my arm and eliminate the pain. I would highly recommend Altair Therapeutic Massage to anyone in pain."

-Scott Krauger,
Monmouth, OR

"Dear Beverly,
Thank you for your extraordinary service and care. You are an angel! I feel like God used you to give me back a big part of my life I had lost after my accident. I will never forget you!"

-Kim Klaussen
Salem, OR


"I have been a client of Altair for several years, and I find my health and well being is better when I receive regular massage from you. Over the years, I have noted an improvement in overall health and improved posture."

-Jane Freres,
Salem, OR


"Low back pain, leg pain, and carpal tunnel in my hands kept me from enjoying the everyday things in life. This is no longer the case. After the first treatment with Michael Sumner the pain in my low back & left leg are gone, my hands are feeling much better. The day after the first treatment I started my vacation; by the end of the first day of driving I had no back or leg pain, also no pain in my hands from holding the steering wheel. That was the best vacation time I have had for many years. What a gift to be pain free. Thank you Michael."

-Merla Baker, Salem, OR