Inevitably, there is some time some where in the course of doing massages, in which one could swear the tissues are talking. Well, not talking like disembodied voices or anything, but definitely communicating something of importance to the therapist. Before ya’ll run for the exits, let me explain. It might be a little nuance, a … Continue reading Body Speech →

I observed what I find to be a bizarre phenomenon at the Edmonds Classic Car Show this past weekend. This is the second event we’ve participated in this summer where we have a booth and offer chair massage, gift certificates, raffle tickets, etc. As per usual, we also handed out free samples of Biofreeze, especially … Continue reading Free Water, Anyone? →

Ever wonder how alternative treatments such as reiki, massage and acupuncture have assisted healing for cancer patients? Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about these complementary healing modalities – brought to you by the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is dedicated to providing visitors with dynamic content on mesothelioma, … Continue reading Alternative Therapists and Cancer →

Low back pain probably costs about a billion bucks a year in lost productivity, treatments and aggravation. What makes it even more unbearable is that people who have never had back pain can wake up one day and wonder what is wrong with them. Wrong is a hard place to be for people who usually … Continue reading Welcome to Lumbarville →

A good massage is a full-body massage, so I often heard in school, but what do you do when clients come in and ask for an hour on their neck and back only? How do you guide the client to the full-body effect? Well, I let them drive. A full massage is better for the … Continue reading Full-Body Massage or Focus? →

I must report that Lynna Dunn’s flooded-office story gave me flashbacks. Consider this a bouquet or fruit basket, of sorts. One Monday morning I arrived at my hotel day spa’s massage room and saw the door to the gym next door wide open and giant hair dryers going full blast. “We had a pipe break … Continue reading Fun at The Relax Shop →

Sorry to be a little late with my blog this week. The ceiling outside my office collapsed. Among other things. No, seriously, the ceiling outside my office collapsed. My grandmother didn’t die, the dogs didn’t lap up all my special massage olive butter. I was late because the ceiling collapsed. Well, actually, it collapsed after … Continue reading I Want My Fruit Basket →

This massage client had survived a long list of honey-dos last weekend and he came in Monday night with a particularly nasty knot in his scapula area. I thought I would be dealing with a knot in the rhomboid or serratus but this seemed to be less of a problem than the very defined set … Continue reading Rebar and the Concrete Floor →

Holistic is the massage therapist’s mantra. Treat the person as a whole, all connected parts and a complete person. The entire massage helps. This is the kind of thinking that goes into most of my massages. But then I get the occasional clients who want just one body part massaged. “Just do my feet.” “Just … Continue reading Point Well Taken and Massaged →

In the action of performing massages daily, I’ve often had to step back before starting a session, take a Zen breath and get grounded. Why? Because I operate on the belief, as I suspect many therapists do, that my intent affects how well the massage will proceed. My thoughts need to be in a calm, … Continue reading The Purpose-Driven Massage →