Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is a day to celebrate freedom and equality. As we approach this year's Juneteenth, it's important to remember that the fight for racial justice and equality is far from over.

TheGloves
The back scratch to end all back scratches! 

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?

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.

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?

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. 

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. 

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. 

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?

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.

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?

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.

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...