…and happy shopping! Since opening my bodywork practice two years ago, I have had the privilege of working with over a hundred unique women in their pursuit of a healthy, pain-free life. A large part of my practice has been choosing the right products for the right women. Will this client benefit from certain essential oils incorporated in her session? Does this client prefer lotion to oil, or vice versa? Additionally, I’ve been asked for dozens of product recommendations based on years of trial and error, from my favorite brand…
For many with fibromyalgia, chronic pain is simply a fact of life. It’s a disorder that affects at least 5 million Americans over the age of 18. 90% of sufferers are women. If you’ve never heard of this disorder, here’s a quick summary from the Mayo Clinic: Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or…
You’ve just gotten off of the table. Your muscles are loose, your mind is clear, you’re feeling more positive and pain-free than you have in days. You’re feeling good. And then you walk out of that office door, right back into the craziness of everyday life. All those good feelings slide right away. You find your muscles tensing again, your mind is back to racing, and the stress comes back in a flash. If you’ve ever experienced this, you’re not alone. Massage can be a profoundly beneficial experience – physically…
I’ve had many clients ask me why I only work with women or why I’m not willing to accept male clients. This question has been asked so often that I have a quick note about in the FAQ portion of my website. I thought I’d take this opportunity to go more in depth about this decision. There are a variety of reasons why I’ve made the choice to focus my business toward providing care for women. Here are a few. I’m more comfortable working with women – physically. It is…
As the temperature drops and the threat of snow draws near, you might be thinking of curling up in a blanket and hibernating all through the winter. I don’t blame you. But you shouldn’t let the weather changes disrupt your regular massage appointments. Winter is the exact time of year when you want to be coming in for regular bodywork. Here are a few major reasons not to skip your November and December appointments. Give your immune system a much-needed boost. When you come in for a bodywork session, the…
When you get a massage, it’s so easy to feel self-conscious. For whatever reason, people’s minds can move a mile a minute when they think about the physical and emotional vulnerability that comes with receiving bodywork. My job as a therapist is to help you relax into the experience. So, why not start now? If you’re reading this before your session, here are 5 things I want you to stop worrying about. 1. Stubble On your legs. On your underarms. On your upper lip. Anywhere. Life moves fast. Some mornings,…
What is Connective Tissue? Connective Tissue, abbreviated CT, is exactly what its name suggests: tissue that connects. It can be found amidst other tissues throughout the entire body – including the nervous system. In fact, the brain and spinal cord are all enveloped in Connective Tissue, making it one of the most important kinds of tissue in the body. As we learned in massage school, our bodies are shaped by our Connective Tissue. If all of our other tissues were removed and CT remained, we would still retain our physical…
Swedish Massage is perhaps the most fundamental of all massage modalities. It’s a term that even a first-time client seems to be familiar with, but few really understand what the technique is. Today, I’m going to explore the basics of Swedish Massage for my clients who are interested in learning more about this enjoyable massage style. Benefits There are many benefits to Swedish Massage. Here are a few of the most common ones: – Increased blood and lymph circulation. – Increased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to bodily tissue. –…
Kinesthetic Awareness Movement (abbreviated KAM) takes massage beyond relaxation and encourages clients to develop a deeper awareness of the way they move. Most of us perform repetitive movements during the day. Washing dishes, using computer keyboards, and even gardening can require habitual movements that cause us to pay less attention to our bodies. This lack of attention can lead to diminished sensation in some areas and increased tension in others, as some neural pathways are overused and others are underused. KAM calls on many techniques, but centers around the idea…
Your Prenatal Massage Massage has a long history of healing and nurturing those who receive it. During pregnancy, your body is under unique kinds of stress and dealing with pains that are often new and unfamiliar. This makes pregnancy the perfect time to seek out the relaxing and pain-relieving effects of massage. Why Massage? Here are some of the many benefits of undergoing massage treatment during pregnancy: – Reduced anxiety and/or depression – Relief from muscle aches and tension – Relief from joint pain – Improved labor outcomes – Healthier…