Blessings

Just through a great birth blessing party for a friend. It’s such a lovely lovely thing to be together with a group of women supporting a women about to give birth.

We made symbolic bracelets, shared some readings, talked, ate yummy snacks and put henna on her belly.

Have any ideas for celebrating the upcoming birth of a baby? Share them here in the comments!

If you have questions about birth blessings email me or leave a comment.

Massage Envy

Heard of it? It’s a massage therapy franchise. They offer low priced introductory massages and memberships. I went to one to scope out the competition. The facility was nice. It was clean & pleasant. Something in between a spa and a medical office feel to it.  My therapist was professional. He was a bit chatty for my taste, but some people just like to talk. The massage was fine. Not exceptional, but fine. I am sure it all depends which therapist you see. I declined purchasing a package of massages. I was asked multiple times during my visit.

Why come to me for a massage when Massage Envy offers low pricing? Here are five reasons:

1) I will not pressure you into buying a package or becoming a “member”. I have packages available if you know you want one, but I’m not in this for the sales.

2) I have a no tipping policy. I would prefer that you save your money to come back and take care of yourself rather then give me ten extra dollars.

3) My rooms are cozier!

4) I guarentee my work. If you aren’t satisfied with your treatment I will give you a refund.

5)Because I have my own practice I can take time to get to know my clients, their needs and preferences without rushing onto my next appointment.

Where I work and why I love it

I work at a family practitioner’s office called Integro Family Health in Carol Stream.The doctor has a deep dedication to her patients. She respects them  as whole beings and desires to see their physical, emotional and spiritual lives thrive. Everyone who works there makes you feel like family. For example my children pretty much jump into the arms of the awesome pediatric nurse practitioner.

When you walk in the door of the office you will find beautiful artwork, soothing music, comfortable living room furniture. The exam rooms are decorated with warm colors, reds, yellows, pinks, browns, and lovely art and furnishings. We usually keep a few candles burning which make the office smell like cinnamon. There is a spirit of peace about the whole office. People walk in the door and feel it.

In the back of the office, just past the skin care room, there is a lovely sage green massage room. It is cozy. Simply yet beautifully decorated. Once the door closes it’s like a little retreat. A little warm lamp, my essential oils fragrance the room, soothing music plays…stillness…quiet.

Need to get away? Come for a mini retreat. It’s closer then Fiji and more affordable too! Come beat the winter blues away before they even hit. Massage is good for your mental and physical health so give me a call at Integro today. 630-462-7957 or 630-379-1934

Oh my aching back

My clients are always asking me if I get sore or if my hands hurt from giving massages. Well yes, but we really try to take very good care of ourselves so we can also take good care of our clients. So what do we do if we do get sore?

Two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night (about 1am) with sharp shooting pain under my right shoulder blade. I could not sleep. At all. What did I do?After tossing and turning for too long I got up and tried stretching and moving around. Not good enough. Then I tried moist heat using one of my neck wraps. That brought more relief. Then I broke out my Tiger Balm and, being allergic to Ibuprofen I took a Tylenol-3…it really was that painful. I was able to get some sleep. The next day I felt stiff and a little sore. I took a long hot soak in an epsom salt bath with some lavender oil.  I was able to go about my normal activities. I was not able to get a massage appointment. So I stretched and did some moderate exercise. By bedtime I felt fine. I woke again at midnight with the same sharp pain. So I did everything as I did the previous night except I got out of bed much sooner and I only took  regular tylenol since the other comfort measures were more effective this time. The next day I called booked a massage as soon as I could.  Meanwhile I kept stretching, drinking water, took another epsom salt & lavender bath.
I got my massage. At my appointment I described my experience in detail to my therapist and showed her where the muscle pain and stiffness were and reminded her of my history of broken ribs and scar tissue on that side of my body. I gave her some feedback as she worked letting her know what I was feeling. I felt much better after the massage.Ah, relief and hmmm, what’s that? More areas that were stiff and sore…of course. I had to work a bit after that, but really felt fine. After work I came home and stretched and drank water, green drink and relaxed. I took another soak, stretched, used my foam roller and a rubber ball to work out some kinks. Then I applied Young Living Oil Pan Away to the sore spots and went to bed. I slept through the night. No pain. I have some residual stiffness today, but not pain. I am still stretching and moving, etc and have a plan to follow up with another massage and perhaps a visit to my chiropractor.

So that’s what I do when I have a muscle problem. What helps you? Looking for any good supplies for self care? I’d be happy to help you find what you need!

Fall Specials

Has your fall schedule settled in? Are you feeling the pressure of busy school schedules, work, sports, music lessons and trying to find time to make dinner too?

Well, don’t forget to take care of yourself!

Schedule a Massage in the month of September or October

and I will take $15 off your treatment of choice.

Email me womensmassage@gmail.com or call today to schedule your appointment 630-379-1934.

As always refer two friends who book an appointment with

me and receive a free half hour massage.

And remember, no tipping! Save your cash and come back to take care of yourself again…

I’m back

So it’s been more then a few weeks. But I am home. I am back. The mountains were lovely. We are settling into a new fall routine. I am putting in more hours of work at Integro Family Health. It’s a lovely environment with a really caring and supportive staff so if I’m gonna work somewhere other then home that’s my ideal place.

Enjoying it, but still trying to find balance. I will be posting some upcoming events soon….so please check back soon.

Signing Off

Just for a couple of weeks I will be signing off. I will be on vacation from today through August 15th. I will not be able to blog, schedule appointments or receive business calls during this time. However, I will be happy get back in touch with you all when I return from the mountains. Hope you all have an enjoyable few weeks. Happy Summer! Stay well,
Heather

My Massage Style

I thought I share a little bit about what to expect if you come for a massage appointment with me.

When you choose me as your therapist you are not just another face or number. You are not an opportunity to sell a package or membership. I consider the time you come for a massage to be your time. With that in mind I hope to create a therapeutic session that addresses your specific needs on the day you walk into my office.

Since I consider the body, mind and spirit to be connected I often think of the massage session as a sacred time. Much of my thought during a session is aborbed in quiet thought, meditation and prayer. I generally prefer that sessions be quiet so that the full benefit of this sacred time can be experienced.

I use a light to medium touch with the massage and occasionally work more deeply. I do not give deep tissue massage or sports massages. I can address discomforts, pain and injuries with thorough, yet more gentle specific work.

People who benefit from energy work and healing prayer seem to really connect with me as a therapist.

If you need a recommendation for a sports massage or deep tissue therapist I would be happy to provide that information for you.

Stay well…

Self Care Scar Tissue Massage–for Post Mastectomy Surgery

Self Scar Tissue Massage for after a Mastectomy

After a mastectomy once you have healed physically you may be left with a scar that still causes some discomfort. Scar tissue massage may help break up that scar tissue and bring you relief from the tightness and discomfort.If the scar is very painful and thick consult with your surgeon to make sure it is not a keloid. If you do have keloids do not proceed with this massage.

1) Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. You may want to warm them up if they are chilly.

2) Sit down in a comfortable chair, have pillows nearby in case you need to prop up your arms. Put on some relaxing music, light some candles, and breathe deeply. Remember, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”(Ps. 139) “The king is enthralled with your beauty.” (Ps.45)

3) If you have had a double mastectomy you will only be massaging one scar at a time. You may keep the breast area you are not massaging covered with a shirt, robe or blanket.

4) Do not use lotion.With your thumbs or finger tips make small circles over the scar. Do not slide over the skin, but make firm contact and pull the tissue with your fingers. Think of having ultra sticky fingers.

5) Again, with thumbs or fingertips pull the scar in opposing directions…use both hands for this. These pulls should be done slowly and with the same firm “sticky” quality. Pull the scar both vertically and horizontally.This may be slightly uncomfortable. Go slowly. If it is too painful take a break or stop for the day.

6) Repeat with your other breast area if necessary.

7) Finish with some soothing strokes.

Heat Therapy

As promised here is the information about heat therapy.

Heat therapy is an effective way to treat muscle stiffness and pain. Warming muscle tissue increase blood flow to the tissues which increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle tissue and helps flush out toxins that cause soreness.

Proper Application of Heat Therapy

The most common forms of heat application at home these days are using a heating pad or hot water bottle. Some people also may take a warm bath or shower. I have had clients tell me that they warmed their muscle tissue using a hair dryer.

Always use caution when applying heat therapy. You do need to have quite a bit of heat to get good results, but you do not want to cause damage to your skin. Please do not use a hair dryer as this will certainly dry out and could possibly damage your skin. A heating pad is a fine method of applying heat, but not the most effective. The heat should penetrate to your muscle tissue without burning your skin. You should be able to tolerate the heat comfortably while feeling it slowly sink deeper into your tissues.

Moist heat is more effective then dry heat. Why? Because water conducts heat more quickly then air. So moist heat will penetrate your muscle tissue more quickly and effectively. Not all of us have a hot tub in our back yards, though I’ve always thought that would be great. So, what do you do? Well, a warm bath or shower can really do the trick. If you are taking a bath consider adding good old fashioned epsom salts to your bath. They draw toxins out of the body and so can really help with refreshing and relaxing the muscle tissue. Try soaking for at least 20 minutes. If using a warm shower you might even try a massaging shower head. I got mine at TJ Maxx for about $15 last December. It isn’t the fanciest one in the world, but it really does feel good.

A more portable method of moist heat application is a trick that we doulas use all the time. We call it a rice sock. It’s just like the therapeutic herbal neck wraps that I make or that you can buy at body care stores. Only here’s the poor man’s version:Take a large old (but clean!) tube sock. Fill it with rice. Tie a knot in the top. Microwave it for about 2 minutes. Check to make sure it is not too hot for your skin. If it is wrap a dry towel around it. Place your rice sock on any sore muscle and breath in the cozy! The rice retains some moisture from the air so when it is heated up you get moist heat.

If you’d like a nicer herbal wrap you can let me know. I have a great selection of really pretty ones that make great little gifts. I need to add some m

ore photos of these, but in the meantime I can email you a photo if you’d like. I like to use a pretty one because it just make me feel good.

Note: If you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic use caution when taking hot baths and talk to your doctor before using a hot tub or jacuzzi. Pregnant women should use caution and talk to their doctors before using a hot tub or jacuzzi as well.