Shiatsu, Integrative, & deep tissue massage therapy | Boulder, CO

Here are some frequently asked questions about Massage:

What is massage therapy and what can it do?

Massage therapy is the skilled manipulation of muscles and connective tissue.   It relieves physical pain, promotes healthy circulation, reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and increases focus and alertness.

What types of massage are there?

There are many types or modalities, here are a few examples with some brief descriptions:

-Swedish Massage uses lotion or oil and involves fluid strokes over the entire body.  This modality is what likely comes to mind when someone hears “Massage.”

-Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork .  It uses acupressure from the thumbs and fingers along meridian lines through the body.

-Deep Tissue Massage is perhaps misnamed.  It does not depend entirely on the depth of pressure, but works with the deeper structures of the body to help with postural alignment and muscular and joint pain.

-Sports Massage targets specific structures of the body to rehabilitate sport-related injuries.  It is also used before and after sporting events to aid warming up and cooling down.

-Thai Massage involves a variety of stretches and compressions to increase flexibility and energize the body.

-Reflexology works on points in the feet and hands to affect the entirety of the body.

-Chair Massage combines elements of other modalities and is performed in a chair instead of on a table or mat.  For more information see this link:  http://www.ezentialmassage.com/2010/06/29/chair-massage/

What massage modality is right for me?

Everyone has their own specific needs and desires when it comes to massage therapy, and that makes this question impossible to answer for everyone.  The best way to find out is research.  If one of the modalities mentioned above sounds interesting then look up some information on it.  Or better yet, contact a local massage therapist and ask him or her about it.  Don’t be afraid to ask around for multiple opinions.

Do I have to be naked to receive massage?

No, many clients leave on their underwear while receiving massage.  I always encourage my clients to undress to the level of their comfort.  For Shiatsu, Thai, and Chair massage the client remains dressed.

What should I do during a massage?

The best answer to this question is: Relax.  Of course relaxing can be different from person to person.  Some clients will chat and others will remain silent the whole session.  I have had several clients fall asleep during massage, and this is not something to be embarrassed about.
Another good answer is: Communicate.  This is your session, and the therapist will want to make sure it is enjoyable.  Offering feedback on depth of pressure, where the therapist is working, and what feels good or not will help create the session that you want.  No matter how skilled a massage therapist is, you are the final authority for how things feel in your body.

I hope this proves helpful, feel free to send me your questions for future posts!

A very old and nearly universal idea states that animals embody powerful strengths and ideals, and that they share their secrets.  For the past several decades the concept of animal totems has worked its way back into our consciousness and even into popular culture.  The idea persists of the shaman or medicine man chanting or dancing to enter trance and call down great spirits and gain wisdom.  If your neighborhood or apartment building lacks a shaman, then is there a way you can benefit from the power and insight of an animal guide?  Yes, there is.

Try and think of a time when an animal has shown up in your life with some consistency.  Perhaps what appears to be the same crow or squirrel greets you on your way to work each day.  You may catch a cat or dog or even a fox give you a knowing look before they scurry on their way.  They may even turn up in dreams, especially if they are not everyday animals like a penguin or capybara.  Did the animal appear at a time of crisis or need?  If you take a deep breath and stop worrying about how silly this can seem, do you feel some connection with the animal?  If you answered yes, the animal could be there to help.  With a little study and thought you can determine what the animal is offering you.

Animals have certain qualities and attributes.  Some are ascribed from our imaginations, but others come directly from their habits.  As an example I’ll use the penguin mentioned above.  Penguin lives between worlds of land and water, and glides gracefully through the sea.  This associates him with travel between worlds, astral projection, and dreams.  Penguins are also masters of sacrifice, fasting for extended periods  to feed their chicks.  Giving of oneself to aid loved ones is not always easy, but penguin’s lesson can provide inspiration and at least let you know you are not alone.  To find out about an animal guide in your life, start by researching the animal.  From there, you can find specific information in a number of books or websites.  I recommend Animal Speak by Ted Andrews and Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson as great places to start.

How can an animal guide help you?  There are many answers to this question.  The animal can lend you their qualities to help you through a rough time.  Learning about the animal’s habits and defense mechanisms can teach you valuable strategies for your life.  Personally, I invite the energy of my animal guides to be present with me during massage.  Hummingbird may come forth to help open my client’s heart to joy, or turtle can poke her head out to aid in calming and grounding to the energy of the earth.

As a final thought, remember that all animals have something to teach.  Wolf, eagle, and bear are great allies, but no more so than ant, otter, and mouse.  If you are seeking a guide, open yourself to the possibility of any animal and watch for signs.  They will let you know.  I would love to hear about any animals that have served as guides in your life, please leave a comment telling me a bit about them.

In the last couple of days the community of Boulder witnessed the destructive effects of fire.  We saw homes destroyed and thousands of people displaced by nature’s violence.  The element of fire transforms all that it touches, turning fuel into heat, water into steam, and metal into malleable forms.  These transformations are profound, and when they occur too rapidly or unexpectedly they lead to tragedy as it has with the wildfire that is still raging through Four Mile Canyon.  The fire spread far too quickly, transforming the lives of those it touched without allowing them the time to process these changes.  The best definition of trauma I ever heard calls it “any thought, emotion, or experience that can not be fully processed at the time.”  The body reacts to periods of anxiety by holding this trauma, trapping it in the muscles to come back later as pain, ticks, headaches, or other symptoms.

As a Shiatsu practitioner I regularly work the Asian model of five elemental energies that exist within the body: earth, water, metal, wood, and fire.   These elements are represented in twelve meridians, channels of energy that flow through the body.  The goal of Shiatsu is to return the elements to a balanced state  by letting the meridians flow like rivers.  Skilled touch and intention calms overflowing meridians  and coaxes strength back into ones that flow sluggishly.  The elements also directly effect each other.  Strengthening the water element can sooth the fire when it rages.  A specific meridian (channel of energy) within the fire element is the Small Intestine.  As the organ extracts and absorbs nutrients from the food our stomach digests, the Small Intestine meridian works to absorb and assimilate the emotions and experiences of our lives.  Its energy helps us process life as we live it, but it can become overwhelmed by trauma.  Like the examples above, trauma can cause the Small Intestine meridian to become low, throwing us out of whack.  Shiatsu work helps bring the energy of the body back into balance, allowing our body, mind, and emotions to follow suit.  It is powerful work that can release trauma, and help dealing with grief and loss.

I have seen firsthand the healing power of Shiatsu and would like to use my skills as a massage therapist to help the community that is suffering.  I will be looking for avenues for donating my time to those affected by the fire, and I invite any volunteer organizations who see this to contact me.

While I was putting myself through massage school I worked in retail.  One day a gentleman came in looking for a part for his car.  The store had a small automotive department, but it was more accessories than repair.  I told him this and confessed that I did not know what the part was.  He could not believe that.  I mentioned that I did not own a car, and he looked at me with a touch of disdain.  “When I was your age, I knew what (car part) was,” he told me.  Now I could have countered by asking him where brachioradialis inserts (the styloid process of the radius, by the by) since that is something that I knew by my age.  Instead I smiled and suggested another store where he might find what he was looking for.

I am made up, at least in part, by my experiences, and so was he.  I remember this exchange whenever I feel frustrated about missed connections with other people.  Thinking about this, and remembering to breathe, helps me stay centered and push past differences with others that could stand between us.  Most of all I remember that judging others on what they do not know or what they can not do helps no one.  Letting go of these expectations is a great first step coming together as fellow human beings…who happen to have a lot in common.

You know how stress feels. It’s different for everybody, but you have felt it and maybe you’ve noticed how your body reacts to it. But is it always the same?

The next time you feel stressed about something, try taking a moment to see where in your body it it most noticeable. Is it in your shoulders or neck? Your arms or lower back? Is it always in the same place? Is it different for different types or causes of stress? Does it lead to tension in the neck which leads to headaches? These are some important questions to start asking and can be the first step in helping to de-stress your life. Listening to your body and how it reacts is a valuable skill that anyone can develop with a little patience and practice.

When stress builds in the body there’s a tendency to hold onto it, especially if we are not listening to how the stress is affecting us. For example, when I get stressed my shoulders tighten and move in toward my center. This affects various muscles in my back, chest, and neck.

We can not always stop or avoid the causes of stress in our lives but there are things we can do to help neutralize any negative effects and bring the body back into balance. Naturally massage is a great way of helping, but there are a variety of other approaches that also work. Yoga, meditation, exercise, or any other activity that feels good on a physical and mental level will allow held stress to release.

And as always, remember to breathe.