I'm Hands On

How do You Pick a Massage Therapist? (2/4)

2011-07-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

(Part 2 of 4)

Some things to look for when searching for a massage therapist:

Licensing

Education

Length of Practice

Location

Specialties

Photos

Reviews

Choose a Massage Therapist because they are a great fit for you. Don’t let someone talk you into being a good fit!

Do the therapist and the client share some of the same interests?

Many clients are now finding their therapist based on social media. Why not? It’s a great way to see the person’s appearance, get a general feel for how they might conduct themselves while massaging and observe a list of personal interests, such as travel, pets or views on religion, sexual orientation or politics.

Should these things really matter in the choice of a therapist? Absolutely! Anyone who says that these factors are unimportant is someone who isn't, perhaps, being honest with him/herself.

I think that, idealistically, I can massage anyone regardless of their views of the world. Ideally, a client should expect a professional massage when they book one. When you go to a resort, a therapist is most often chosen for you. You could make a gender preference, You can inquire about their skills and experience, but ultimately, until you see your therapist face for the first time, you are largely uncertain of what to expect!

Conversely, it is the same for us, as therapists. Within a resort setting, when we meet the guest for the first time and create that first impression, we are uncertain of what to expect, as well! “Is the guest still on another time-zone? Are they receptive to the Massage, or was it a gift that they reluctantly accepted? Or my personal favorite: Is the guest sober?

Going to a Resort Spa or Day Spa is not the setting you should choose if you are looking for your “own” special massage therapist. The fact remains that, given an opportunity, a client will gravitate to a certain therapist. When placed in a Russian Roulette style of massage appointments, the result can be dicey.

You do NOT always get what you pay for with massage. Compare experience and education with the rates being charged.

There are some massage companies that offer discounted membership style massages. Does that mean that they are bad ones?

No!

You’ll need to consider the types of therapists who are typically attracted to these types of businesses (such as massage as a second job or newly graduated students) and decide if that is a good fit for you.

Resorts offer a wide variety of massage services. Read over the promotional materials carefully to understand the treatment that you should expect.

There is no guarantee that if you go to a resort and pay premium rates that you will be assured of a blissful experience. I think that the high end spas would like you to think that all services that they offer are uniformly fantastic. The truth is that every massage is performed by an individual, not by a company.

What is your gender preference when choosing a massage therapist? I would be willing to lay odds that most therapists who do not offer massage PLUS services could care less of your gender. To me, it makes little difference.

There are experienced massage enthusiasts who genuinely have no preference whatsoever as to who massages them, as long as the massage is great!

For others, it’s like going to see the doctor. They would prefer the same gender to massage them. It could be a regional issue, but many heterosexual men would consider it completely out of the question for another man to massage them. (But, consider sports massage and the many professional teams that employ same sex therapists).

I have seen many married heterosexual couples where the husband will choose a female therapist for himself and insist on a female therapist for his wife, as well.

Unless they fit into the category of “massage enthusiast” I believe that most gay men prefer to have men massage them.

Some religions require massage by the same gender.

How do You Pick a Massage Therapist? (1/4)

2011-07-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

(Part 1 of 4)

This is for all of you folks who have not had a massage before. Maybe you have had one, but it wasn't everything that you expected, and you were left wondering why everyone says massage is so unbelievably wonderful. How do you pick a massage therapist?

Look for a Massage Therapist with “the touch”. This is not to be confused with therapists that may actually offer a specific type of massage called Touch Therapy.

What is Touch Therapy? Supporters of touch therapy claim it can treat and cure a wide variety of illnesses, including heart failure, diabetes and infections. The theory is that people who are ill have disturbed energy fields, and that by moving trained hands over the patient's body (without contact), a touch therapist can detect malalignments and re-pattern energy fields to create "energy balance."

I do not provide Touch Therapy. The actual touch that I refer to is the sense by which objects or stimuli are perceived, through physical contact. Unpretentious, experienced TOUCH is the single most important aspect that I bring to massage. This allows me to instinctively locate areas that need specific attention. Through this physical "touch" I can often feel, sense or observe areas of concern. There are, of course, other areas that are discovered through experience alone.

Finding the best massage therapist for you can only be done in person. I have often heard that finding a Massage Therapist is like finding a Hairdresser, a Dentist, a Doctor, or an Auto Mechanic. No amount of advertising or social connections or even a personal referral will absolutely guarantee your satisfaction. If you are not absolutely satisfied with your massage experience, you will not truly benefit from it. You need to dive in and take a chance! However, you can narrow the search for a Massage Therapist if you simply consider the best fit for you. I have explained some ideas below that may save you some trial and error.

Massage (noun) is: The rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, esp. to relieve tension or pain.

IF ALL MASSAGE WAS EQUAL, YOU COULD RANDOMLY PICK A THERAPIST AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME RESULT.

Massage is not equal. Therapists practice different types of massage. There are folks in the massage business who are unhappy with being called simply a "massage therapist" and who long to be more clinical in their approach. They attend additional training to achieve more knowledge of physical ailments.

The actual definition of massage is the act of kneading and rubbing. However, there are therapists who practice massage, PLUS something else; such as, maybe, Reiki, Chakra work or working with your Aura. There are numerous practices that therapists or workers employ to “balance” the body; returning it to what, we in the business call homeostasis.

In energy work… there is nothing measurable. It requires a theoretical explanation of the procedures, a client who is willing to accept the energy work and a worker with the claim that they can provide the work.

I’m not saying that Reiki or other forms of energy work are not effective. They are subjective. The therapist/worker assigning themselves a label of “Best” or “Master” or “Unsurpassed” or whatever only prepares the client for disappointment, when the services don’t live up to the advertised hype. And, it is a fact that they will not always live up to the expectations of every client.

On the internet, I see many massage therapy business descriptions that, in effect, say…”Me, Me, Me; Pick Me! Because, I’m the best!”. And, while describing massage services requires a bit of “You should pick me because…”, elevating your abilities to a level of the “be all / end all” status is really disingenuous for everyone. Many of my clients have said that mine is the best massage they've ever had. While I don't claim that my massage is the best, I do claim that my "style" of massage is one of the best.

The bottom line... I believe that most people institutionally know that for each client, there is a specific type of massage therapist (also visa versa). My friend Jules Hamland has written an ebook on niche marketing for Massage Therapists. It is just NOT possible to rock every client’s world in the exact same way, nor would you want to.

Regular Massage and Drinking More Water Will Give Simple Relief from Edema.

2011-07-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Water has so many health benefits including relief from extensive edema and some types of back pain!

It sounds so basic and simple, yet so few people actually drink enough water... and no, soda, coffee, juice and teas don't count!

Massage is very helpful in reducing extensive edema in the legs. Your legs are generally elevated during this massage. Massage for this issue consists of rubbing only in the direction toward your heart while starting at the toes and pushing gently, but firmly up the leg all the way into the groin. This is done for 15 to 20 minutes on each leg.

Some Edema may be caused by very serious issues. For this reason this massage may require a doctor's approval prior to a massage session.

So How Much Water is Enough?

Most experts recommend 8, eight ounce glasses throughout the day...but I say shoot for that at a minimum... try for more. The key is to drink water throughout the day and not just at meals or at a particular time.

Does your skin feel dry to the touch? As a massage therapist I can often tell a client's hydration level by just touching their skin. Almost immediately after applying lotions does your skin become dry again? It may not be your skin responding to the lotion but rather its inability to soften because of hydration levels.

When water is not available to get into the cells freely, it is filtered from the outside salty ocean and injected into the cells that are being overworked despite their water shortage. The design of our bodies is such that the extent of the ocean of water outside the cells is expanded to have the extra water available for filtration and emergency injection into vital cells. The brain commands an increase in salt and water retention by the kidneys. This directive of the brain is why we get edema when we don’t drink enough water.

When water shortage in the body reaches a more critical level and delivery of water by its injection into the cells becomes the main route of supply to more and more cells, an associated rise in injection pressure becomes necessary. The significant rise in pressure needed to inject water into the cells becomes measurable and is labeled hypertension.

Initially, the process of water filtration and its delivery into the cells is more efficient at night when the body is horizontal. The collected water, which settles mostly in the legs during the day, does not have to fight the force of gravity to get into the blood circulation when the body is horizontal. If reliance on this process of emergency hydration of some cells continues for long, however, the lungs begin to get waterlogged and breathing becomes difficult. The person needs more pillows to sit upright to sleep.

This condition is called cardiac asthma and is the consequence of dehydration. However, in this condition you must not overload the system by drinking too much water at the beginning. Increases in water intake must be slow and spaced out – until urine production begins to increase at the same rate that you drink water.

When we drink enough water to pass clear urine, we also pass out a lot of the salt that was held back. This is how we can get rid of edema fluid from the body; by drinking more water. Not diuretics but more water! Water is the best natural diuretic that exists.

In a person who has extensive edema and whose heart sometimes experiences irregular or very rapid beats with little effort, the increase in water intake should be gradual and spaced out, but water should not be withheld from the body. Salt intake should be limited for two or three days because the body is still in an overdrive mode to retain it. Once the edema has cleared up, salt should not be withheld from the body.

"Salt Intake is Vital" CureZone.com

Relief for Edema

Elevation and other exercises using special equipment are recommended to promote lymph drainage. However, it is best for clients with lymphedema to follow individualized exercise programs developed by physical therapists or their doctors.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specialized massage technique originally developed by Emil Vodder, a Danish massage practitioner and doctor of philosophy.

The techniques help clear edema by facilitating lymph flow through collaterals across watersheds and collecting ducts. Since pressure is very low in lymph vessels, lymph drainage techniques resort to very gentle stretches of the skin, superficial fascia, and the lymphatic vessels in the direction of lymph flow, followed by gentle release of the stretch. Superficial effleurage and superficial lymph drainage techniques are used to remove fluid and assist further drainage, and kneading strokes may be used to soften the hardened tissue.

See ABMP article: Edema and Lymphedema: Are TheyDifferent? By Kalyani Premkumar

Palm Springs Massage Therapy Special see: website for details

Some Edema may be caused by very serious issues. For this reason this massage may require a doctor's approval prior to a massage session

Limited time special offer: FOUR -30 minute specialized sessions for only $120. Plan all 4 sessions at your own convenience. You may choose to pay half of the fee and spread the remaining balance over the remaining sessions. Purchase individual sessions for $45 for 30 minutes. Combine this massage with my "Feel Good"massage for even further benefit.

Grow your own Aloe for this summer's sun!

2011-07-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

Have we, as a culture, lost touch with cultivating readily available plants? We have been trained so well to go to specialty stores when so many natural things are all around us. One of those things is Aloe.

Although there are more than 400 species of the Aloe plant growing on the Earth, it is Aloe Vera or “true Aloe,” also known scientifically as Aloe Barbadensis Miller, that is used for its healing and medicinal properties.

-Aloe vera (syn. Aloe Barbadensis Miller) is a species of Aloe, native to northern Africa. It is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing 80 to 100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2 to 3 cm long.

Not long ago, it was in full bloom just about everywhere you turned. (Other species come in various shades of red, yellow and orange, and are also in bloom). It seems to be largely taken for granted by passers by. This abundant succulent has spawned a multi-million dollar industry. On my last trip to Clark’s Nutrition in Palm Desert, CA, I saw many forms of Aloe available for a variety of uses, such as consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome. Some studies show that aloe vera promotes rates of healing. Internal intake of aloe vera has also been linked in preliminary research to improved blood glucose levels in diabetics.

I have been propagating Aloe plants for years, in my very own yard. It grows easily, which is good news for me (ask anyone who’s seen my yard). Once I learned how to easily process the “meat” of the Aloe plant, I have used it for sunburn, wound care, and to drink for heartburn relief.

I use Aloe from my own back yard, on my massage clients during the summer months, for sun and wind burns. If you make an appointment with me, just ask for an application.

The Egyptians, particularly the Egyptian queens such as Cleopatra and Nekfertiti, used Aloe Vera as a skin-care and beauty product. They believed it gave their skin a radiant glow, and helped to keep them looking young.

Aloe really is a miracle plant that grows in great abundance in many parts of the Southwest; but how many of us actually stop to benefit from its use? Sadly, many of us have been trained to go to specialty stores instead.

I have step by step instructions that were given to me for processing the pure meat from Aloe Barbadensis Miller plants. I will be happy to send this informational booklet to you for FREE. Just drop me an email, and I will send back a PDF version via the internet. eMail for Free Instructions

Do you agree? Have we lost touch with our natural surroundings preferring, instead to shop for them at a specialty store?

Palm Springs Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy Following Nature's Therapy

2011-06-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

If you like to hike, you’ll love hiking on Mt. San Jacinto. The State Park offers 54 miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness, one of the last in California. All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway less than a mile to Long Valley. In Long Valley, there are picnic tables, water, a Ranger Station, flush toilets and some easy trails.

San Jacinto State Park Tram Tower 5

In this past year, I have become an avid hiker. Ask any of my Facebook pals, who have had to endure my continuous “hiking updates” and photos. To say the very least, the views in Palm Springs are spectacular! I love to share the stories and photos of my adventures, as often as I hike.

My friend Jules and I purchased special $60 Season Passes which allow us to take unlimited rides on the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto mountains. TWO AND A HALF MILES above the Coachella Valley, the top of the mountain is a refreshing break from the Summer heat below. I’ve heard that the temperatures are, on average, 30 degrees cooler up there! From my front door to the top of the mountain takes about 20 minutes. The tram ride itself is breathtaking, and worthy of a blog entry all its own. Maybe I’ll write that someday soon?

Passing the Descending Tram Car

Just inside the city limits of Palm Springs, you will see the aptly named road called Tramway. Turn Southwest and continue up the winding road, across the alluvial fan. In Palm Springs, we have fancy names for our geological formations, which natives use in our daily vernacular. We have quite a few of these alluvial fans in the area, but I would say none are as dramatic as the one at the base of the San Jacinto Mountain.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, an alluvial fan is: unconsolidated sedimentary deposit that accumulates at the mouth of a mountain canyon because of a diminution or cessation of sediment transport by the issuing stream. The deposits, which are generally fan-shaped in plan view, can develop under a wide range of climatic conditions, and have been studied in the Canadian Arctic, Swedish Lappland, Japan, the Alps, the Himalayas, and other areas. They tend to be larger and more prominent in arid and semiarid regions, however, and generally are regarded as characteristic desert landforms. This is particularly true in the basin-and-range type of areas of parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the western United States, Chile and Peru, Sinai and western Arabia, and Central Asia, where the basic landscape configuration consists of mountains set against adjacent basins.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, constructed in rugged Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs (about two hours by car from Los Angeles and San Diego), did not just happen. It required foresight, planning, financing and, most of all… a vision. For years, it was the dream of a young electrical engineer named Francis F. Crocker to "go up there where it's nice and cool". Crocker's dream began in 1935 while he was on a trip to Banning, California, with newspaper publisher Carl Barkow. Mopping his brow in the heat of the day, Crocker gazed on longingly at the still snow-capped peak of Mt. San Jacinto, 10,834 feet high. "Crocker's Folly,'' as it was soon dubbed by one newspaper woman, began.

Rugged Granite Cliffs Below

It is worth every moment of planning to take this trip when you come to Palm Springs. Hiking can be done all year round but is best when done in cooler temperatures. If you decide to hike the many trails around here, especially in the Summer time, be certain to plan your hike for EARLY in the morning; as in first light! By 2pm the temperatures climb to their warmest, and summertime temperatures can reach 120 degrees. Beware that in the cool of the sunrise and sunset, “others” (as in snakes) choose to take advantage of the trails at these times too. Native snakes include rattlesnakes. The chances of seeing one is slim, but here is a nice reference guide to study. Native Snakes

Also, be certain to take adequate amounts of water with you. Tiny little “two swallow bottles” (as I call them) will not suffice. Here is a link to helpful information regarding water. (Please note: I am NOT in favor of the sports drinks, as the article suggests. Read the bottle’s ingredient label, and then consider drinking water and finishing with an ice cold Coconut Water instead. Sports Drinks include High Fructose Corn Syrups, sugar, and vegetable oils. Yes, vegetable oils! What to Drink When Hiking

HIKING RECOVERY:

As a pharmacist once told me, “You only need about a tablespoon or two of a sports drink to help bring your electrolytes into balance”. Drinking a whole bottle of the stuff can actually be harmful. But, this is a topic for another blog. Of course, I offer you this information with encouragement to research on your own. Everyone is different, and you should consult with a knowledgeable doctor if you have questions regarding your health.

Once you finish hiking, you should really consider a relaxing massage. Being both a hiker and a massage therapist, I suggest a firm therapeutic massage.

After hiking I also highly recommend a good tub soak using 2-3oz of 100% pure Magnesium OIL. If you have any questions on how to find this oil or massage questions please use the comment area below. Or you can reference my website at:

Palm Springs Massage Therapy

Oils, Lotions, Creams, Gels, Powders What do you like?

2011-06-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

As a Professional Massage Therapist, I can tell you that using the right massage lubricant is extremely important to the practice of massage. When I choose the massage products that I use in my business, I test them and live with them to find just the right one.
I have gone through many, searching for the "holy grail"; if you will.

The ones that didn't make it?

Biotone's basic massage oil - The favorite of many a massage therapist, but I find there is nothing special about it. For me, it is unremarkable. So, why use it?

Anything with vitamin E - While we're told that vitamin E is good for the skin, the result is is a sticky product. It is definitely not good for bodies covered with hair!

Talcum powder - There have been many studies which show that the use of talc is very dangerous for your health. Still, the FDA approves it, and it remains widely available to all; not unlike cancer- and tumor-causing sugar substitutes (such as those used in diet sodas). High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) anyone?

Sunflower oils - I can't say anything good about them.

Lubricants made with Red Wine (Grape) extracts - These are, literally, a headache to use. The properties of the product are absorbed through my hands, and I get an instant headache. Green grapes don't seem to have the same effect.

My favorites?

Pure Fiji - Hands down, the best massage oil I've used, to date. It is expensive, but this is a case where you get what you pay for.
Pure Fiji has an entire line of products made from mango, white ginger lily, pineapple and starfruit. They have creams, lotions, oils and many other products to chose from. These items can be purchased on my website, through the services of Amazon marketplace.

Bon Vital Natural Gel - For my clients that are naturally carpeted, this gel is the best because it does not pull the hair. Many therapists out there prefer to work only on clients that are smooth or clean shaven. With this product, there is no compromise when performing deep tissue or Swedish styles of massage.

I have tried and continually offer a variety of expeller pressed (without the use of chemicals) oils. Coconut is my favorite. I also use hemp, olive and grapeseed.

Ghee (clarified butter) - Some people may be surprised by its use, but it has properties that are said to be very nurturing to the skin. It was used by the Egyptians, thousands and thousands of years ago. They would rub it on the skin as well as rub it into their eyes ( I don't practice that one). Ghee is still used today by many Ayurvedic (India) practices. They have also used it for centuries.

Certified Organic Coconut powder - I use this for my Signature Coconut Energy Powder Rubdowns. Also based on Indian Ayurvedic traditions powder has been used for massage for centuries. Any of my clients will tell you that it leaves the skin feeling very invigorated. Try this massage!

I hope my clients appreciate the attention that I give to choice of massage products. I know that ultimately it becomes part of the overall experience. If clients walk away with a great experience, who cares about the products used? I do. I spend not only time but also money choosing what i feel is the best product that I can offer. The products I use are often premium products that carry a premium price tag to match.

-As a client, which massage products have you used that are exceptional?

OR

-As a therapist, which product(s) do you prefer to use on your clients?

"I hurt, but in a good way."

2011-06-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

As a Massage Therapist within a resort setting, I have heard this expression many times from people who have described their previous massage experiences. Then they tell me:

“I want you to make me cry.”
“I want you to take my breath away.”
“I can take it”
“I might be small but I REALLY want you to use a lot of pressure”
“Go ahead and hurt me because I know I need it”

What? These statements astonish me. First of all, as a professional Massage Therapist, I’m certainly not going to “hurt” you. Professionally and personally this is just makes no sense at all. So don’t even ask me to do this. After we have developed some sort of rapport, I may massage deeper depending upon the need or situation; but I would never ever perform massage with the intention of “hurting” anyone, at anytime ~ ever. Especially not in a resort setting! It is just never going to happen with me...ever!

It is also my experience that American men will typically ask for a “Deep Tissue” because they don’t want to appear as girly men. Machismo and massage does not mix. Just because you are six foot, four inches and weigh 300 pounds does not mean that Deep Tissue is your massage.

In the massage business, there are many styles of massages that are referred to as being Therapeutic. These are relaxing massages that offer many benefits such as:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller and relieve migraine pain.

I would say that a large majority of folks that come to me for massage have unfortunately received a Therapeutic Massage that was anemic or lackluster at one time or another. I‘ve had them myself. They’re not pleasant and I usually cannot wait for them to finally be over. However, Therapeutic Massage, if done with intuitive pressure and real attention given areas of concern, is incredibly relaxing and extremely satisfying. Most importantly it is therapeutic!

Many clients (including many therapists!) mistakenly believe that therapeutic massage is simply a beginning “level” of therapy. I believe that certain therapists will actually tell clients that it is going to “hurt” because this is a way of imparting to a client a feeling of getting their money’s worth.

Is deeper massage work ever necessary? Absolutely! Deep Tissue, in particular, can be highly effective for adhesions which can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles.

The benefits are:

• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.

Do most people need Deep Tissue Massage? Ummm….no. As my good friend and mentor, Jules Hamland, has taught me, you need to simply break the cycle of stress to begin to heal the body, mind and spirit.

Folks that come to me and want massage to “hurt them” are, in short, misinformed and looking for a quick fix. How long did it take those knots and sore muscles to become so plentiful? A year? A month? A week? A day? Then how on earth can anyone expect to get rid of this condition in about an hour? It doesn’t pass the test of reasonability and is akin to get rich quick schemes ~ instant gratification. Many times these are the very same clients that will return obsessively for more “hurt me” massages. Unfortunately, I believe there are some therapists who may take advantage of clients who want to “hurt in a good way” after massage.

After a massage, you should never say, “I hurt, but in a good way.” Pain is not good. Pain is our body’s way of telling us to change a particular behavior. To purposely inflict pain upon another person or to accept that pain with eagerness is, to be frank, just ignorant.

If you are looking for a very gratifying massage, find a therapist (like me) that actually listens to you and works with you, and not “on you.” I will bring together the right pressure and various techniques that will leave you in an absolute state of dizzying euphoria. A good therapist will help you to receive a massage that is correct for you. One way to start, for example, is by asking for a “firm” Swedish massage.

Please leave your thoughts on massage in general. What types work for you? What have been your best experiences?

Below is a link to my good friend and mentor Jules Hamland’s Wholistic Bodywork website. She has performed massage in many different settings. She teaches over-the-top pampering styles of massage. She is an expert in mobile massage and is completing her first ebook on the subject. Please check out her websites and pages here on Facebook (and don’t forget to “Like” them if you do).

Please see:
http://www.wholisticbodywork.info/,
http://www.bodyworkmentor.com/

From Jule’s Wholistic Bodywork website - “Throughout my years as a practicing Bodyworker, I have continuously run into a couple of interesting perceptions about bodywork: 1) You must experience pain in your massage or it’s a waste of time and money; or 2) If you aren’t experiencing pain, you don’t need a massage. From my viewpoint, both of these are gross misunderstandings of bodywork – at least in my world...”