Caring for the skin you’re in: staying sun safe

Summer sun is here! With the weather warming up and everyone spending more time outside, we are getting a lot more sun. I wanted to take a moment to recognize the effects of the sun on our skin. 

Skin we love. Skin cancer? Not so much. Which is why you’re here on a massage therapist’s website, reading about sun exposure. Because even though I’m not a dermatologist and you’re not going to burn while getting a massage, your skin is a friend I see regularly. And I want to be able to keep working with it for many healthy years to come.

As a massage therapist, I see a lot of skin. All colors, all textures. Freckles, scars, stretch marks, moles. Skin with lots of hair and skin with none. Skin doesn’t surprise me... Except when it does; That brown spot on your shoulder blade? It wasn’t quite that big when you came in a month ago. And it looks less like an oval and a little more like a blob. Maybe you should have that checked out?

TheGloves
The back scratch to end all back scratches! 

The massage cream I use is made of organic ingredients, unscented, gluten free, paraben free, no nut oils, water dispersible, and is cruelty free.
 
Made of a rich blend of certified organic ingredients, including Jojoba and Olive Oil, Shea Butter, and Aloe Vera, provides the finest foundation for an earth-friendly, full body massage that softens dry skin and provides lasting, natural moisture.

Upgrade your massage sessions with my new percussive massage tool. Implementing a targeted rapid-percussion method, with a professional grade massage gun, releasing muscle tension in problem areas.  We'll spend  a few minutes warming up your chosen target areas with the percussion tool before getting into the hands-on portion of our massage session. 

Let's talk a little bit more about massage guns and how they are useful...

The add-on you've always wanted is here! Book a massage and add a 30-minute Power Nap now!

You heard me.  

After your massage, while you're feeling most relaxed, is usually when you are primed for a power nap. "Do I have to get up?" No, not this time. 

2023: A Year for More Self-Care

Well, if you're anything like me, you're probably feeling super pumped for the new year and ready to tackle all of your self care goals with gusto.Start the year off right with the annual self-care goals like picking things up and putting them back down, again and again...  Sitting in silence and trying really hard not to think about stuff, eating more shrubs and leaves, hobbies like frolicking... the options are endless!

Okay, but honestly, is there a better way to kick off the year than with an amazing massage?

If you’re reading this, chances are you know the value of a truly great massage. Especially on hard days or during periods of stress or pain, we all look forward to the physical and emotional benefits you can get from a massage. 

But what can you do if your massage isn’t quite cutting it? When your massage is “fine,” but just not what you’re needing? 

A massage is intended to be a calm and relaxing experience. But if it’s your first massage, you may feel a little trepidation. Don’t let that hold you back. With a little information about what to expect, you’ll walk into your first massage feeling like a confident pro!

Short Answer:

It's up to you. 

I'll follow your lead.

What are the long-term benefits of getting regular massage?

Sure, it feels great to pop in and see a massage therapist every now and then. It’s a great way to pamper yourself and relieve stress during a particularly crazy time. Self-compassion and the idea of splurging on yourself for once, otherwise known as “Treat Yo-Self,” means that it’s actually really great for you to spend a little time on self-care.

However, have you considered regular, monthly massage appointments? Besides having one day set aside each month, to treat yourself with a deep tissue tune-up, you will actually start to see some physiological effects of regular massages as well.  

Here are a few short-term, and long-term ways you may start to notice your monthly self-care trip is benefiting your health.

Staying in any position for an extended amount of time leads to trouble. Take a moment to counter the effects of sitting for long periods of time. For every hour that you’re sitting at your desk, or in your car, I want you to move for 5 minutes. If you get up and walk around the block, up a few flights of stairs, or jog in place, MOVE! MOVE! MoVE! Get the blood pumping! Activate those muscles to keep them engaged in motion. 

Receiving massage can be as easy as just scheduling an appointment, laying down on the table, and letting me dictate how the session will go. But that’s not the way to go about it if you’re looking to get the most out of it. Keep reading to get some gems you can use to get more out of your massage.

Amazing!
My massage practice is one that I strive to share with everyone. I have intentionally set my rates at a below market price point in order to make bodywork  accessible to more people. My intention is to help people feel better in their bodies so that they might experience more joy in doing the things they love, without the impediment of pain. 

I have taken the time to curate a playlist for whatever mood you're in.

I aim to adjust and refresh these playlists somewhat regularly to keep them from getting stale. 

Here are links to check them out on Spotify, for setting the mood outside of your massage.

This is an awesome trick to work out that built up tension in the back and shoulders, getting rid of knots to eliminate back pain. It’s been an incredible help for many of my clients who experience back pain, and I recommend it all the time. The more often you’re able to work it into your self-care, the more mobility and relief you’ll experience.

What is deep tissue?

Deep tissue massage is about focused work for long-term results. It has much less to do with pressure, and more to do with technique. Yes, deep tissue work can be a much stronger pressure, but it is not always the case. A no pain, no gain mentality is common among many clients and I often find myself educating clients that just because you CAN take the pain, doesn’t mean you need to, or that it’s even good for you. Pain is our bodies way of telling us that something is wrong. Some discomfort is to be expected. But there’s a difference between pain, and therapeutic discomfort. Just because you CAN take it, doesn’t mean you SHOULD. I encourage clients to work within their own personal limits and to gage the pressure on a 1-10 scale, where 7 is a threshold. When we work within these limits there should not be any prolonged soreness. 

What can massage be for you?

Receiving massage helps keep you doing the things you love. Massage is a fantastic way to re-connect to your body. Massage is a way to take time out to focus on our wellbeing, to listen to how we’re feeling right here and right now. As I begin to work with the tissue, and you begin to work with your breath, the body will open up and begin to reveal holding patterns. With a combination of techniques, customized to each individual client, I map my way through these patterns, holding on certain areas, while easing up and gliding over others, to encourage movement, release, and neurological re-mapping, to restore the body to it’s natural pain-free state. 

Should I heat it or ice it? I hear this frequently in my massage work, and I wish it was easier to answer.

For years the loose guidance has been ‘ice for immediate injury, heat for general aches and improved mobility.’

But there are a few nuances to consider and I think it’ll be fun to look at the history a bit. 

Ditch the RICE and get on the METH method for injuries.

The long held stance that we should only be using cold therapy when dealing with injuries is outdated. 

Let's talk about it...

Taking time out to take care of yourself is not selfish.

When we care for ourselves, in the way we care for our friends and family, it allows us to be better at everything we do. 

Treat-Yo-Self!

It’s not hard to think up great ways to treat yourself. We’d all love a spa day topped off with a meal prepared and served by someone else. Maybe get a sitter for the night, so the little angels are asleep when we get home. Or just a morning where the cat doesn't wake you up by sitting on your windpipe.

But for every article about self care, I roll my eyes at least 12 times and think "Who can afford that?"  Yes, it would be great to have an afternoon to myself and a bucket of fried chicken and a cookie dough chaser. But that's not particularly healthy.

I’m all about realistic self care. That is, activities that aren't expensive, don't involve food, and will make you feel good about how you spent that time. Here's a list of my favorites (bonus: most of these you can do with kids).

When you’re relaxing on a massage table, it’s easy to see massage as a gift. Whether you’re there to reduce pain, to ease anxiety, to help you recover from the physical and mental stresses work or athletic training or parenting or simply being alive, massage is a moment of freedom in an occasionally crushing world. If you’re thinking of sharing the gift of massage with someone else for a special occasion or “just because,” you are almost certainly doing so from a place of love and generosity. 

Obviously, I’m a big fan of giving massage as a gift!But just as with choosing to visit a massage therapist yourself, there are some considerations when offering this kind of gift.

DISCLAIMER: This blog article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice, medical or otherwise. This is not a prescription or used to diagnose any particular disease or illness. 

The legalization of marajuana in 11 states including Colorado, Maine and Alaska has paved the way for a new multi-billion dollar industry--CBD. 

Unfortunately, because CBD has a close relationship to THC, like kissing cousins close, there are just as many myths as there are truths about it, its uses and benefits. 

The use of CBD has gained attention for a number of conditions ranging from acne to Parkinson’s and even cancer and there is a growing trend of use among both professional and recreational athletes, yet the benefits and use of CBD are still relatively unknown to the majority of consumers. 

Whether you’re #teamCBD or #TeamSnakeOil there is plenty of information on the interwebs to support or refute both arguments, let’s talk about some of the truths and myths about CBD and whether it’s the wonder drug people exclaim it to be. 

How Massage Helps with Stress and Anxiety

Why get a massage? According to a survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association, 28% of Americans who get a massage do so for relaxation and stress reduction. That’s a lot of people in the US who feel strongly enough about their own experiences with massage for stress reduction to put their money on it. But aside from individual feelings, what exactly do we know about massage and how it relates to stress and anxiety? And what does the research have to say about that?

Most people have a love/hate relationship with their foam roller.

Rolling can help the body feel more mobile and fluid after just a minute or two of rolling just the right spots. At the same time, rolling can be uncomfortable if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or ignore your body for a long time. 

Foam rolling can be helpful in extending the benefits of massage, so it’s worth learning a little more to determine if it’s a useful technique for you. 

A good night’s sleep is crucial to our wellbeing and our health. If you’ve ever had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, then you know that being tired or craving sleep can impact your entire day. You feel drowsy or irritable, your thoughts may be foggy, and you may start to notice a difference in your body as well. 

If you’re having trouble falling asleep at night maybe it’s time you consider massage therapy to help you sleep better.

LeBron James regularly sees a massage therapist to improve the jump in his jump shot. Soccer star Megan Rapinoe counts massage therapy as a crucial part of her all-too-necessary recovery regimen to allow her muscles time to heal after a hard day of training or a tough game. And remember those round red marks on Michael Phelps? Professional athletes often work with massage therapists before, during and after training and competition. 

While you may not get a paycheck for completing your favorite workout or playing on a rec league team regular massage therapy can benefit your training and well being.

Read on to learn how:

Pain is one of those “you know it when you feel it” kind of sensations. But it’s also a strange phenomenon, when you think about it. A snowball is cold, and so it feels cold when you touch it. A block of concrete is rough, so it feels rough when you touch it. But a knife isn’t painful on its own. Neither is a pot of boiling water or the leg of a table. We handle these things safely all the time, and experience their mass and temperature and texture. But pain exists only in the body, and even more specifically (as people who’ve experienced anesthesia know firsthand) in our minds. But that doesn’t make it less real! So what exactly is happening when we feel pain, and how do we stop it from negatively impacting our lives?

“This project is such a headache!”

They’re so common that the term has become synonymous with an annoyance, but what are headaches, really? And can massage therapy really help?

It's all about you, it's all about making you feel good, and it's all about making you feel special...

Show of hands if you have ever experienced shoulder pain when reaching to fasten your seatbelt, grabbing something from an overhead cabinet, washing your hair, carrying groceries, or throwing a ball. Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint for many people. 

You already know that regular massage therapy can help with your lower back pain, headaches, and anxiety. But is massage therapy good for shoulder pain too? Read on to learn about the types of shoulder pain, rotator cuff muscles, and appropriate treatment options, including massage therapy.

A Deeper Look at Back pain

There are dozens upon dozens of myths out there about what leads to back pain, what you should do to prevent back pain, and what kinds of treatments may solve your back pain troubles. 

Today, I am here to tell you that you should think again about what may be causing your aches and pains and urge you to think twice about your course of treatment.

We’ve all experienced body pain and stiffness. And we often attribute it to creaky joints or “tight” muscles. 

And maybe you do a quick stretch or take a collagen supplement, but you can’t quite seem to get at it.

What if I told you that the main source of that stiffness, achiness, and lack of flexibility could be from a body part you never knew existed?

Stress Impacts the Entire Family

Stressors come in all kinds of forms: work and school pressures, relationships, health concerns, uncertainty about the future. Even changes that are generally positive can still be incredibly stressful, like gaining a family member or starting a new business. Left unchecked, stress can lead to a host of symptoms, including headaches, disrupted sleep, nausea, irritability, lack of focus, and poor impulse control. Tips for stress management are frequently repeated and generally well-known: Get some exercise! Talk with a friend! Breathe deeply! Get a massage!

But while most of us recognize at least a few of these symptoms from stressful periods in our own lives (and if you don’t, please teach the rest of us what your secret is!), stress isn’t exclusive to the adult world. Our children experience stress too. And while parents and children can often be high up on the list of one another’s stressors, we’re generally stuck with each other. So while it’s nice to talk about individual stress-busters, ways to help the whole family manage stress at once can be a lifesaver for parents and kids (and grandparents, stepparents, aunts and uncles, godparents, siblings, friends-who-function-as-family, and 32 flavors of cousins) to tackle their stress head-on.

Treating Tension Headaches With Self-Massage

Most of us are familiar with the sensation of a headache. The location, cause, and severity can differ, but we all agree that headaches hurt! 

When you have a headache, it’s hard to function normally until you find relief. That’s why there are so many techniques for treating headaches. Not all of these techniques are reliable, however. Some only work for certain types of headaches, others are more myth or anecdotal than medical fact. 

Self Care is Self Love

Yes, you can massage yourself at home. No, it won’t be as great as booking an appointment with me (obviously!). But the same way that brushing and flossing between dentist visits keeps your teeth and gums healthier for longer, self-massage can prolong the benefits of your sessions and help keep pain and stiffness at bay.

Self-massage can (literally) be awkward as you contort your body to reach pain points. It can also cause pain and discomfort in your hands when you aren’t properly trained. While there are certainly many self-massage tools that you can buy online, there are a few common household objects you can put to use RIGHT NOW, no shipping required.

Maybe you’ve just come back from a vacation where you had your fair share of wine and delicious food. Should you detox with a juice cleanse? Or perhaps a massage will flush these toxins from your body?

You’re a true athlete. You’re used to working hard, exhausting your body, and developing your mental stamina— as well as your physical stamina— year round. Even in the off-season, you don’t quit. You’re used to spending your downtime preparing for the next season, and getting faster, stronger, and better at what you do. 

The idea of using massage to improve your game might sound silly. Who needs a spa day to improve your game on the football field? But the truth is, more and more professional sports teams are employing full-time massage therapists to work with their athletes. Why? It really does make you a better athlete.

So how exactly can a few sessions or regular appointments on a massage table work to improve your game, or make you faster or stronger? There’s a lot that goes into it. Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding a regular massage into your training routine.

So how exactly can a few sessions or regular appointments on a massage table work to improve your game, or make you faster or stronger? There’s a lot that goes into it. Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding a regular massage into your training routine.

I’m going to say it, money is the biggest obstacle to getting regular massage for most people. We don’t like to talk about money; it’s supposed to be private. But I’m addressing it head on. Regular massage is a considerable budget item, and it’s important to acknowledge that.

I know this because...

I walk the walk and I, too, get regular massage.

I am crazy tight with finances, so if I don’t plan for it, massage just doesn’t happen.

But if I expect you to budget for a $1200/hr massage every week, month, or quarter, it’s my job to tell you what you’re buying. So here it is, what you get from a $100/hr massage.

Everyone wants to know

When will In-Home massages be offered again?

The short answer is: I'm not exactly sure.

The long answer is:

We all have our own name for our backside. The idea of “my butt being rubbed” (or not) can be a very sensitive topic for many people. Sometimes the sensitivity is mental or emotional, for others it’s physical.

Let's talk about butts...

Contraindication is a long word with a simple meaning: a reason you shouldn’t receive a particular treatment, such as a massage. There are local contraindications—things like a small wound—that shouldn’t be massaged directly, but that doesn't mean you can’t still get a perfectly good massage on other parts of your body. Then there are general contraindications, or situations in which you shouldn’t get a massage at all. Contraindications can be an illness like the flu, a treatment or medication like a strong blood thinner, or even something environmental, like a bedbug infestation at home. 

The health and safety of my clients, myself, my family, and the community at large has always been  of the upmost importance. As I begin to re-open, I will be taking extra steps to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy. 

Short answer: Yes, please.

It happens. At least once every winter, a client comes into my office with a fever and awful cough or sneezing, thinking that a massage is a good idea. Sigh. It’s hard to turn people away, even when I know I shouldn’t touch them. Prevention is the best option here, and that means educating my clients, so they know to cancel when they are sick.

We all know that we should be drinking more water, right? Your doctor tells you to drink water instead of soda or juice. You’re told to drink water before, during and after physical activity and you may have even been told to drink water to flush the toxins from your body after a massage.

Hold on. Nope. Myth alert! 

What to Wear (or not) During Your Massage

The most Frequently Asked Question in massage: Do I need to get naked?

I stand with the Black community in the fight for equality, and against racial injustice in this country. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Corey Jones, Oscar Grant, and so many other senseless killings continue to highlight the racial injustice and imbalance of power in our country. Words are not enough. We must begin to put our money where our mouths are, put feet in the streets and demand change at the highest levels of government. Actions will be the only valid evidence of a genuine desire to be part of the progress to dismantle structural racism.

When i bring the bodywork to you, there are a few things you can do before our session, to ensure that you’re getting even more out of our time together. Here are a few key tips.

I am legally blind. I was born with a genetic condition called Stargardt’s, which is a form of Macular Degeneration. As the macula begins to breakdown, I lose more of my central vision, which is responsible for detailed vision. My peripheral vision is good, thankfully because it’s what I’ve got to navigate the world, and is more of a soft-focus.

Allow me to introduce myself and give you some background as to how I got into massage therapy / bodywork. In 2005 I had transferred to SFSU as a Junior, to study business management. Was taking International Business, Business Calculus, Business Management and Holistic Health Eastern Perspectives. About 6 weeks into the semester I realized business school did not resonate with me and that I was not going to make it through 2 years of business school.

Last Minute Cancellation 

 One of the more challenging parts of running a service business is deciding how to handle last-minute cancellations, missed appointments and late arrivals. I aim for a thoughtful fairness. The new policies are below. I’m usually happy to be flexible about the policies when illness or emergencies strike. No doubt, if we’re working together, you will be someone who is respectful of my time, so this won’t be an issue.

Our new website is finally up. We’ve worked hard to get a beautiful new site ready and we’re proud to show it off. Thanks for reading our blog. We have lots of great blog posts in the works. Please check back or contact us now to find out how we can help you.