Massage Therapy is defined as the systemic manual manipulation of soft tissue of the body involving movements and various techniques for clinical or therapeutic purposes to reduce stress, relieve pain, address physical ailments, manage health conditions, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.

Bodywork is one of the oldest forms of healing and wellness, practiced throughout history in age-old traditions, it has long been revered for its therapeutic health benefits.

This ancient healing practice dates back thousands of years, deeply rooted in holistic healing as a form of integrative medicine and preventative health care. It has evolved into a powerful tool for promoting overall harmony within the body.

Massage Therapy is a clinically oriented healthcare option used to treat acute and chronic ailments, it helps to alleviate the discomfort associated with every day and occupational stresses.

In modern years through research and studies, massage therapy has gained public and medical acceptance; it is considered integrative medicine, acknowledged for its many health benefits, and it has become recognized for its effectiveness and more widely recommended within the medical community.

Massage Therapy is no longer just a spa luxury, it is an important tool in promoting physical and mental health, and it makes for a wonderful complementary therapy to help restore overall health and wellness.

Whether you are seeking relief from pain or simply in need of relaxation, massage provides a natural and effective remedy.

Power of Touch

Touch is an incredibly essential aspect of human nature and connection, affecting physical and emotional health. The restorative power of touch enhances the body’s innate ability to heal itself, improving the quality of one’s life. The correlation between positive touch and quality health is supported by studies to show that touch can contribute to tremendous benefits in the human body and psyche. Therapeutic touch cultivates social connection through compassionate, safe, and intentional contact.

Massage can allow us to tune into our bodies, be present in the moment, creating self-awareness and mindfulness, and help to foster a sense of connectedness - a significant factor in health longevity and vitality.

Touch is an invaluable implement in health and wellness; between a digital age and a post-pandemic world, in-person social interactions are important factors in quality of life.

Touch, the most fundamental means of human connection, becomes a tool for healing the body, mind, and spirit.

Significance of Regular Massage Sessions

Regularly receiving massage can be a form of self-care, and consistency is key to reaping the lasting benefits of massage therapy. Receiving regular massage treatment can help maintain optimal health and well-being, preventing the accumulation of stress and tension in the body over time. Recurrent massage sessions can offer the much-needed respite from the pressures of daily life.

Stress-relief is the number one reason people seek massage. Stress is a common factor in everyday life, and a major contributor to dis-ease within the body. Receiving routine bodywork through massage therapy can greatly reduce the amount of stress in one’s life and body. Massage combats stress and its harmful physical and emotional effects, putting the body and mind in a state of relaxation, while encouraging healing.

The frequency with which you should schedule your massage sessions will depend on your individual needs. Massage therapy can be used to treat chronic pain, injury rehabilitation, stress-management, or as part of a preventative care program. Depending on your unique need, it may be beneficial to receive weekly treatment until symptoms are managed, or once a month as maintenance.

Make massage therapy an important part of your health care routine!

• promotes relaxation & reduces tension

• relaxes muscles & restores mobility

• alleviates ailments & chronic pain syndromes

• enhances healing & recovery

• helps to recuperate & rehabilitate muscle injury & function while relieving inflammation

• minimizes surgical scarring & reduces adhesions

• increases range of motion & flexibility of joints through stretching

• promotes skin health & elasticity

• increases circulation of blood & oxygen

• lowers blood-pressure, heart rate, & respiratory rate

• helps to regulate & improve digestive processes

• aids removal of excess fluid & toxins

• improves flow of interstitial fluid & increases lymphatic circulation

• strengthens immune function & calms the nervous system

Massage Therapy has been shown to decrease frequency & severity of headaches & migraines, ease physical symptoms induced by anxiety & depression, while improving mental focus, restoring natural sleep patterns, and increasing resilience to stress. Massage & Bodywork can help to heal and calm emotional distress within the body.

Research has also shown that massage therapy encourages the production and release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) and serotonin (a hormone that helps regulate mood), as well as increased levels of oxytocin (the body’s natural feel-good hormone). This in turn decreases cortisol levels which reduces stress in the body, promoting feelings of contentment.

In general, manual therapy promotes healing and helps maintain health & wellness, restores balance within the bodily systems, and creates an overall sense of well-being.

Although the benefits usually outweigh the risks associated with massage, there are still precautions for certain contraindications (conditions that make treatment inadvisable), which include some of the following:

• fever, cold or flu symptoms, high blood pressure, poor circulation, skin rash, edema, blood clots, varicose veins, cancer, certain medical conditions, recent surgery or injury, if you are taking pain medication, or if you are currently under physician care to treat an illness.

In most cases massage is still beneficial, but medical conditions or use of certain medications will require modified techniques using less pressure to ensure the client doesn’t experience any adverse effects.

In some cases, a doctor’s permission note may be necessary before beginning treatment. Please speak with your health care provider before starting any new treatment protocol.

Your health is of the utmost importance.

While massage therapy is generally safe, there are some potential side effects that can occur, although they are rare.

Possible side effects associated with massage include dizziness, headaches, muscle soreness, and bruising. These temporary symptoms should dissipate within 24-48 hours.

My goal as a licensed massage therapist is to provide the best possible treatment and outcome with manual therapy. Initial health assessments can indicate or contraindicate massage, and some assessments necessitate referral to other medical professionals.

If you are new to receiving massage treatment, here is what to expect:

The massage session will take place in a comfortable and quiet room with soft lighting and calming music to help the client relax.

After the initial health intake and discussed plan of treatment, the therapist will step out of the treatment room to give the client a few minutes of privacy to undress and get situated onto the massage table under the top layer of clean linens. Before re-entering, the therapist will knock on the door to ensure the client is ready.

Therapeutic treatment is typically performed with the client unclothed; however, this is completely up to the client’s choice, undressing to their comfort level.

To ensure further comfort, the client is always properly draped during treatment; only the area of the body receiving massage will be undraped, never exposing any sensitive areas.

Massage and bodywork use a topical application (lubricant of oil or cream) to minimize skin friction and enhance the effects of treatment.

We always start the session with some deep breaths, to relax the body and mind.

The therapist will begin the massage using mild pressure, checking in with the client and adjusting accordingly. It is best to begin with lighter pressure to warm up the tissue before applying deeper pressure to target areas of tension. This technique helps reduce possible delayed onset soreness.

If at any time during the massage you would like for me to increase or decrease the depth of pressure to your preference, please let me know, as everyone experiences touch and pressure differently. Keep in mind Swedish massage applies light pressure only*

Conversation during the massage will be at the discretion of the client; I respect the wish of the client to engage in light conversation, or to perform the entire session in comfortable silence. Client feedback in the form of questions or comments is always welcomed.

After the session end time is announced, the therapist will step out of the room, giving the client time to dress and meet the therapist at the reception desk.

Massage treatment should be performed by a licensed massage and bodywork therapist (LMBT) who has obtained specific training, education, licensure, and certification in massage modalities. This ensures professionalism and optimal treatment.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me through the contact page.

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and absorbs whatever is put on it, keeping it healthy is vital. This is why I use homemade body butter as lubricant during massage treatment. It is more emollient than lotion and absorbs well into the skin. The body butter I personally make has high-quality, limited ingredients that leave your skin nourished and revitalized.

Skin health benefits of homemade body butter:

• simple, all-natural ingredients that are skin-safe & chemical-free

• wonderfully moisturizing & absorbs easily

• promotes skin healing & health

• naturally rich in fatty acids, vitamins, & antioxidants

• anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial properties

• ideal for sensitive skin, safe for virtually everyone

If you experience any skin allergies, please let me know prior to beginning treatment. If you would like a list of ingredients used in the body butter, please feel free to contact me.