Massage

Elbow Trouble

Back in the fall I started having some trouble with my elbows. Self-diagnosing, as I am prone to do, I decided I had tendonitis in both. I’m not sure that’s what it was / is as I still have not been to a doctor opting instead for self-treatment with a tennis ball, BioFreeze and a lot of poking and prodding.

While on vacation last week I was finally able to slow down enough to go get a massage. The therapist I found is in Gulf Shores, AL. Her name is Melissa Millson and she is fantastic! If you ever get down in that area give her a call.

She did some things to my forearms that I’d never experienced before and I’m happy to report that for about a week, I’ve been largely pain free. Unfortunately, this morning I woke to that familiar pain in the left elbow. So this morning was spent trying to remember all the things I did yesterday that might have irritated the forearm and the elbow. I didn’t have much luck with that tack. My days are pretty busy.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you a bit about what she did to my forearms that seemed to help so much. It’s called Bamboo Fusion and warm bamboo pieces are used to warm and massage muscles at a deep level.

I’d never had a bamboo-assisted massage and as far as I can tell she only used the bamboo on my forearms and calves, but wow was it ever worth it. I’ve known about Bamboo Fusion for several years and it’s been on the list of CEUs I’d like to take, but mostly I had relegated it down the list of things to do later.

But since I had such a lovely experience with Melissa (and my Body Reading class got canceled) I’ve done a little research and there’s a very good possibility that I’ll be taking a Bamboo Fusion class in June. I have made initial contacts with an instructor and am waiting for a response.

Why Bamboo Fusion? Well, mainly because it’s luxurious and effective deep tissue through a hands-on application. I find myself with clients who can’t experience Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy or Ashi-Thai because they’ve had recent surgeries, but who still need deep work. I’m only comfortable and capable of delivering so much with my hands. I rely on my feet for the really deep stuff. So when a regular client has, say, a hysterectomy, but is accustomed to my feet and the accompanying deep, luxurious massage, they’re not happy with my hands-on techniques. They still want the deep massage. Bamboo Fusion promises to help me deliver what they’re wanting. It’s certainly not a barefoot massage, but it apparently goes deeper than what I can deliver from the floor.

Thus, I’ll be traveling in June if all works out for that. Unless the instructor writes back and says she’ll come to me! Now that would be ideal.

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My First Sporting Event!

One of the things I’ve been wanting to do as an Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist is do events with my portable bars. Heck, it’s why I invested all those dollars on the portable bars.

Up until now I haven’t had much luck insinuating myself into any local events. Until yesterday when a friend texted and asked if I would donate a gift certificate to support The Special Olympics via the Decatur Police Department’s annual Torch Run. I had been involved with this organization in years past and immediately agreed.

Then I pitched, “How about I come out and work your event?” She got excited, I got excited, then we figured out I was going to be out of town that weekend, but wait, there’s another event this weekend closer to where we live.

So… Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology will be at the Foot Pursuit 5K this Saturday giving out free massages!

Where: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1450 Sparkman Street, Hartselle, AL
When: March 26, ~7am – 10:30am

I would love to see you there!

And here’s a gratuitous plug for my friend / Ashi-Thai instructor. She is the subject of an article about Ashi and Athletes and put up some lovely pictures from one of her events.

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Going Portable!

For everyone who is still wondering what I’ve been so excited about lately, here it is! My portable bars arrived Thursday. It was dark before I arrived home so I drug them inside off the porch and have slowly been unpacking the boxes ever since.

This morning I got up early because I couldn’t sleep from excitement. An hour and a half later, viola!

Usually they would go together much quicker, but it was my first time and there were a few other issues that we’re currently working to correct, nonetheless they’re here and they’re together.

So… if you have a group who needs someone to come speak and comes with an impressively large piece of equipment with which to demonstrate, call me!


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The Benefits of Reflexology

My friend and colleague, Jim Barnes, of Decatur, AL was recently published in the North Alabama Natural Awakenings magazine with a nice article that discusses the many benefits of Reflexology.

The backstory of how I became a certified reflexologist is a bit ironic considering that my massage practice is currently all about the feet. Before I graduated from massage school a friend of mine and two instructors decided to go to Chattanooga for a 16 hour reflexology intensive course. I reluctantly agreed to go even though it would eat my entire weekend and I had studying and relaxing to do.

I’m glad I went. It was a non-stop weekend of learning about feet and how to spend therapeutic time massaging the feet. There was some bonus hand and ear work thrown in too.

I walked, floated really, away from that weekend on feet that felt brand new from all the rubbing, stretching and manipulating. I still love to receive reflexology. It’s one of the few modalities that allow me to relax to the point of falling asleep on the table. Unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to do many true reflexology appointments so I tend to integrate it into my regular massage routine as much as possible.

I know that as my practice expands to offer daytime appointments I will have greater opportunities to reach out to segments of the population who may not be able to benefit from Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy or Ashi-Thai or even gentle, Swedish massage. I will enjoy being able to offer reflexology as an alternative. And I’m so glad now that I spent that reluctant time learning more about the feet.

So who benefits from reflexology? Anyone can benefit from reflexology. Individuals who suffer foot pain from overuse or injuries such as plantar fasciitis would be perfect candidates for reflexology. I also find it’s a nice alternative to offer to my Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Ashi-Thai clients who have recently had surgery and can no longer enjoy deep massage during their recovery period. Elderly individuals who can no longer receive regular massage due to circulatory or pain issues may be able to benefit from reflexology. In addition to the touch therapy, elderly clientele receive the added benefit of a regular foot health checkup.

If you’re interested in reflexology or know someone who would benefit from it. Give me a call, I’d love to meet you and your feet!

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Taking The Feet On The Road

I am currently negotiating with a massage therapist from KY trying to buy a set of used portable bars. The purchase, while expensive, will allow me to start attending conferences, trade shows, health fairs, and expos to demonstrate and raise awareness about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Ashi-Thai as well as the overall health benefits of massage. I’m also banking on the fact that the added exposure will bring in new clientele.

The next step is to find those fairs and expos. I have a few leads, but I’m still looking for more. So if your company or an organization you know of puts on any kind of fair or expo, large or small, please leave a comment and let me know.

Commenters will also get first dibs at being my body on the table at some of these things too. Free massage. Woo hoo!

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