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For Mobile Services Only:

In order to safely move around the massage table, a 5 by 9 foot space in an open (non bedroom) area will be needed. If you are requesting a chair massage, a 5 by 5 open space will do just fine. I will need to arrive at least 10 - 15 minutes early to setup. That time is not a part of your session.

Before your initial session you will be required to complete an intake form and a discussion over the phone or in person so that I can tailor your massage to your needs and wants.

All massage appointments for minors (18 years and younger) must have a legal parent in the room from the start of setup until I leave. *

All massage appointments for males must have a person of the opposite sex in the home from the start of setup until I leave. *

*Failure to follow terms will result in an immediate termination of scheduled session and there will be no refunds.

15 Reasons to Get a Massage

Relieve stress and anxiety
Promote relaxation and a better sleep
Manage low-back pain
Help chronic neck pain
Reduce muscle tension
Increase range of motion Enhance exercise performance
Relieve tension headaches
Ease symptoms of depression
Improve cardiovascular health
Reduce pain of osteoarthritis
Decrease stress in cancer patients
Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
Lower blood pressure
Decrease symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Lower joint replacement pain

Aromatherapy

Here are some widely used essential oils and their purported properties:

Calming: chamomile, lavender, and geranium oil
Uplifting: ylang-ylang, clary sage, rose, and neroli oil
Energizing: rosemary oil, lemon, lime and bergamont
Decongesting: eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree oil

you have a voice

You have the right to keep on whatever clothing to make you feel most comfortable.
You have the right to omit any body part you do not want or feel uncomfortable having massaged.
You have the right to request the volume to be lowered/louder as long as it is at a relaxing level and both parties can hear any needed communication.
Although your massage may help you relax from your stressful week. Never keep a session while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Become an active participant, if the pressure is too much/too light, let your therapist know right away.
Please provide at least 24 hours notice if any appointment is to be missed.
Promote a relationship of trust and communication with your therapist about goals and expectations.
You should be draped during the massage, unless that portion is being actively worked (private areas will stay covered).
You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Documents, discussions, treatments and identification are held confidential unless you request otherwise.
Clients will not be denied services based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or handicapping conditions.
- Please provide accurate and honest information and inform your therapist of any current infectious conditions;
  - Fevers
  - Dizziness,
  - Contagious diseases,
  - Cold or flu, no matter how mild it may seem,
  - Taking prescription pain medication,
  - Recent operations or acute injuries,
  - Skin diseases and
  - Allergens.
  - Digestive issues
You are in control of your health and wellness, book your session and lets get started.

seniors and massage

Massage can help ease joint, muscle and arthritic pain. It can reduce levels of stress and provide energy. It can increase blood flow to limbs and help with stiff muscles and tissue. Can improve quality of sleep.

Massage and Lupus

Although a Swedish massage can be very beneficial in helping to release endorphins for pain relief, there are some things to hold caution to. All massage should be avoided during an acute flare-up. Heat treatments and range of motion stretching on an inflamed area is a no-no. Even though you may be tired and a bit sore from your week, Swedish or chair massage is best for you instead of deep tissue or trigger point therapy. If you have cutaneous lupus, massage may not be appropriate due to the touch of your skin may aggravate symptoms, unless you do not display skin involvement. Massage may promote better circulation and encourage cleansing of the liver and kidneys to function more effectively.

Massage and multiple sclerosis

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use massage for prevention or relief of the following:

Pain - Massage can be used to help reduce swelling or mobilization of tissue that leads to pain relief. It can give the person with MS a chance to relax, release anxiety and fear.
Poor circulation - Massage can increase blood flow by using friction techniques, light strokes, gently lifting and squeezing of the tissue.
Pressure sores - Massage may be helpful in preventing the development of pressure sores but should not be used if pressure sores or reddened areas of inflammation are present.

Regular massage therapy may help relax, reduce stress, reduce pain, reduce muscle stiffness, improves flexibility and mobility.

fibromyalgia and me

You often feel pain on a chronic level and a lot of times you don't want to do anything because you're hurting and tired. What if I told you massage may help with your stiffness, soreness and deep aches and pains. Yes, massage can do just that. It may also help with restless sleep, depression and anxiety.

If you are looking for relaxation to improve sleep. An evening session is ideal as it can help the body repair and rejuvenate at night more effectively.
It may improve muscle tonicity by helping to restore strength and vitality to your body.
Mental clarity is major. A massage can help raise healthy awareness, relieve mental stress and improve cognitive issues.
If you often have headaches, receiving a massage may help improve that as well by improving blood flow to the brain.

massage and my back pain

Massage therapy has several potential health benefits for back pain sufferers, including: Increased blood flow and circulation, bringing needed nutrition to muscles and tissues. It decreases tension, as too much tension causes pain and muscle restriction in the lower back and neck. Muscle relaxation can improve flexibility, reduce pain caused by tight muscles and even improve sleep. During massage endorphins are increased. Endorphins are the feel good chemicals in your brain. Essential oils, hot towels and heat packs are also ideal for massage to the lower back for pain.

massage and stress

Stress is a part of life that everyone has encountered at some point. Research suggests that more than 90 percent of illness results from stress alone. Decreasing physical and emotional stress is optimal in improving overall health and well-being.

A massage can lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone that’s produced when stress is present. This causes your serotonin or the body’s anti-pain mechanisms to increase. When your body does this, you are increasing the body’s ability to fight off pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness.

Emotional balance is needed and massage can help find self-connection and confidence. Massage can help one to relax, find a calm moment, reconnect with mind and body then refocus on what is important.

massage and the effects on sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body that runs from the spinal cord, down through the buttocks and all the way to the legs. The sciatic nerve root in your lower back can become pinched or irritated causing pain in the legs, hips, lower back, buttocks and feet. Have you been told by your doctor you have sciatica? Do you usually find the pain will go away after about 4 to 8 weeks on its own? This leaves you with your sciatic pain flare up for what seems like forever while you’re experiencing pain and discomfort. Regular massage using medium to deep pressure and trigger point therapy may be that extra help you need.

Massage may loosen the muscles and help prevent pinching or irritation.
A massage can encourage temporary relief from symptoms like the pain in your feet or the burning sensation in your leg.
Massages can increase the feel-good hormones to assist with wellness, pain management and health

how can massage help my migraine

Muscle tension and vascular are the most common types of headaches. Muscle tension headaches will present like a constant, mild to moderate ache/pain on both sides of the head. Vascular headaches are considered your migraines, which produce a pounding or throbbing feeling. They are severe and can present on one or both sides of the head. It can be accompanied with nausea and blurred vision. Both types can last for hours or days and can be debilitating.

Regular massage may help with the prevention of headaches by releasing serotonin and relaxing the muscles in the shoulder, neck and head that are usually tensed and causes the aches. If the headache does not have you in an incapacitated state, the massage can help with easing muscle tension and spasms. With doing so it relieves the pressure on the nerves and blood vessels, improves circulation and reducing overall stress.

Trigger point therapy may help with headaches by applying a certain amount of pressure to certain areas from the occipital muscles to the upper trapezius muscles (base of the head down below the shoulders).

what about my digestive disorder?

Getting massages on the abdomen may help to relax your stomach muscles. This can help stimulate better digestion, relieve constipation and move bowels better. Regular abdomen massages can also aid in tone and strength of the abdominal muscles, relieve muscle spasms, increase blood flow, increasing relaxation and releasing tension.

Massage may help with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Crohn’s disease and even acid reflux by using Swedish massage techniques with medium to deep pressure strokes to move the acid and food towards the stomach to aid in proper breakdown of nutrients and waste. Doing this also can help with the physical and emotional stresses that comes with the frequent flare ups.

However, if you suffer from IBS, it is best to schedule your appointment after symptoms have subsided as massage can aggravate the symptoms.

Including aromatherapy (clove, rose and lavender essential oils) to your massage can be an added benefit to help alleviate menstrual pain.

There are a few things to take caution to when wanting your abdominal area massaged. One should not get their abdomen massaged if:

You’ve had a recent abdominal surgery
If you have just eaten spicy foods or had a very big meal

osteoarthritis/osteoporosis and massage

You were told by your doctor that you have osteoarthritis or osteoporosis and you're now trying to figure out what can be done about the discomfort. You don't want to move about too much because your symptoms will become aggravated. Or you're nervous that you may fall again. Guess what? You've guessed it, massage just might be the help for you. Regular massages may help alleviate muscle tension. It may also increase range of motion to help with flexibility in joint area.

cancer and benefits of massage

Massage therapy can help reduce pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression and reduce stress hormone levels. Depending on the person, they may benefit more from the popular Swedish massage, deep tissue or a bit of aromatherapy. Massage may help with sore muscles, improve circulation and decreasing inflammation and swelling.

*Please consult your doctor as certain massages may not be recommended during active treatment.

Massage and joint pain/rheumatoid arthritis

Regular massages of the muscle and joints can reduce pain, reduce anxiety, stiffness, increase range of motion and function of joints.

A Swedish massage with very light to light pressure may be best, although some might be able to handle light to moderate pressure. To see optimum benefits, it’s better to have regular massages. However, it is not best to be massaged over the joints while having a flare up.

I just want to relax

Swedish massage would be at the top of the list when someone wants a relaxing massage. The session is filled with long or short gliding strokes going towards the heart. Being that the massage is directed towards the superficial layers instead of the deep layers it helps with blood flow and lymph circulation. One can also add aromatherapy, warm towels and soft stretch to help boost the relaxation. There’s always that added bonus when you fall asleep during the session to get that much needed nap in.

What about my child?

The benefits of massage do not have an age requirement. With youth growing at different rates, some may encounter discomfort in their joints, ligaments or muscles. Some children may suffer from Osgood-Schlatter’s disease which is a swollen bump on the upper shinbone, just below the knee that causes extreme pain and discomfort.

Massages from parent to a small child before bedtime can help with soothing, relaxation and promote healing. Some babies and children require more touch than others such as some preterm infants, cocaine-exposed and/or HIV positive newborns. Until a child is old enough to speak and relay details of feelings and experience, it is best that massage is provided by the parent, legal guardian or medical staff.

Just like adults our children have a certain amount of their own stresses and tension triggers. It’s very important that we pay attention to those as it can cause flare ups of those who have asthma, diabetes, eczema and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis just to name a few.

What if i am an amputee?

Amputees usually are prone to phantom pain that causes discomfort and pain and can limit their ability to use the affected limb. Massage therapy can increase sensory input from the residual limb and provide temporary or partial relief of phantom pain. One can often experience pain in muscles and joints that are not directly associated with the area of amputation. For example; amputees of the upper-extremity often develop carpal tunnel or related symptoms in their unaffected hand due to their increased dependence on it to do everything they used to do with their other hand.

Headaches are a common concern and can be caused by such things as medication side-effects, poor sleep, stress, dehydration, or referred pain resulting from muscle tightness. A variety of massage can help with the following:

Reduced swelling
Increased circulation
Less muscle stiffness and tension
Reduced scar tissue tightness
Reduced spasms and increase muscle length
Decreased pain, anxiety and stress
Increased relaxation and longer/better sleep

Reasons I should reschedule

Sometimes it’s best to reschedule or request to modify your session. Please speak with your therapist prior to your appointment to see what will be the best approach. Below are just a few reasons you will want to reschedule or modify:

Fever, nausea, vomiting and overall malaise
Flu, cold, pneumonia or any viral or bacterial infections
Sneezing, coughing and obvious cold symptoms that are not allergy-related
Intoxication
Just completed surgery (You will need to wait until you are out of the acute stage and cleared by your doctor.)
Have an acute injury (It must be out of the acute stage and depending on the injury, have you seen a doctor yet?)
While feeling dizziness, extremely fatigued and/or numbness
Sunburned

* If you are not sure if you can or cannot obtain a massage, contact me for a free consultation.