So, this morning I hopped on-line to finish some work before going in to the office and I ended up following a rabbit trail of controversy. Controversy about my beloved field of massage!
Some of you sent me copies of last week's article about massage and inflammation (thanks!) and today I found a blistering article basically tearing the original study apart. (Click around on the site and see what you think.)
I have to admit being a little sad and defensive that someone would have such passionate vehemence against my career and colleagues. I suppose it was a bit of an eye-opener to see that some people in the medical community still see massage therapists as "quacks" and would actually mention "happy endings." But, also, a little controversy is good to get the wheels turning.
Most of us who choose to commit to therapeutic massage as a career genuinely want to help people; and we rely on our training and ever-better research to continually hone our skills so that we may do so most effectively. I have been ridiculed for saying this, but I would love some sort of Masters track for massage (and maybe even a PhD program) (it doesn't have to be "traditional"). I see great value in quality education.
Furthermore, I look forward to more research about the best ways massage benefits us and, conversely, genuinely want to know when massage will be ineffective. We all know that massage can't fix everything so let's keep exploring and get great at what it can do.
Ok, though, I have to admit, if a valid research study concluded that "massage is the answer! it cures all ills!," I would be thrilled!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
news
Last month I let you know about our Licensure Bill. To update, the bill successfully passed the House and crossed-over to the Senate for review.
quick tip - self massage
If you have stubborn problems areas acting up between sessions, you can do a little self care at home. A quick solution is to use a ball, like a tennis ball or racquet ball, and use it to put pressure on your tight muscles. You can lean on it against a wall or lie on it on the floor for more pressure.
Or you can purchase a Theracane which has knobs on a long handle for more precise pressure. (I have a Theracane and can help you get one, if you like.)Or you can always enlist someone to press on it for you!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
news
This year Certified Massage Therapists in Virginia have a bill in the State Legislature to require anyone practicing massage in Virginia to become a licensed professional.
Massage Therapy feels great, but moreover it has real health benefits and conversely real health implications. In order to work safely and effectively as a therapist, one must undergo hundreds of hours of training to understand not only massage techniques, but anatomy, physiology, and pathology as well. It is, unfortunately, possible to hurt someone by improperly applying massage techniques.
Currently, anyone wishing to call themselves a Certified Massage Therapist in Virginia must go through the appropriate training, testing, and registration with the Board of Nursing (here's mine). Licensed Therapists would have to undergo the same process. The difference would come in disallowing anyone who is not licensed from legally practicing massage. (Currently an untrained individual may legally provide and charge for massage as long as they don't advertise themselves as a Certified Massage Therapist.)
I will keep you updated on the outcome and if you would like to support this bill, by all means, contact your representatives.
Friday, December 9, 2011
kristina's corner
Enjoy these final days of the year, with the days of celebration and the changing of the seasons.
I hope you feel profound gratitude, share lots of love, and know boundless joy!
I hope you feel profound gratitude, share lots of love, and know boundless joy!
news + promos
The wish list is open! Don't forget to let me know if there's a special "wish" you'd like me to steer your Santa to for the holidays. This is a great opportunity to try something new out, or get started on a membership if you don't already have one.
I can make gift cards in any denomination, I can take credit card payments by phone, and I can accommodate it if you have more than one person "going-in" together. If you send them to my by e-mail, have them put "Gift Certificate" in the Subject line.
Cheers!
I can make gift cards in any denomination, I can take credit card payments by phone, and I can accommodate it if you have more than one person "going-in" together. If you send them to my by e-mail, have them put "Gift Certificate" in the Subject line.
Cheers!
quick tip - movement
I shared a quote on my Facebook feed that I thought worthy of a repeat as a gentle reminder.
We get so involved in our tasks, or so focused on completing them as quickly as possible, that sometimes we abuse our muscles by keeping them still for too long.
Figure out a method that works for you to take occasional breaks (one-two per hour) from sitting in one place. Stand up to talk on the phone, walk down the hall to your co-worker, stop frequently on a long car trip. Set a little alarm if you need to.
Your muscles (and other parts of you) will thank you!
We get so involved in our tasks, or so focused on completing them as quickly as possible, that sometimes we abuse our muscles by keeping them still for too long.
Figure out a method that works for you to take occasional breaks (one-two per hour) from sitting in one place. Stand up to talk on the phone, walk down the hall to your co-worker, stop frequently on a long car trip. Set a little alarm if you need to.
Your muscles (and other parts of you) will thank you!
Monday, October 31, 2011
kristina's corner
Why do we always pin the metaphors of sadness and distress on rain? Why does the darkening of the sky elicit negativity instead of happiness? Does the storm cloud not bring vital water to quench and replenish?
Perhaps we should dance, happy, in the rain. Perhaps our songs of rain should give praise. Perhaps we should seek out rainbows.
While I chose the name Nimbus primarily for it's connotation of a person's glow or aura, which massage helps enhance towards the positive, it does carry another meaning of the clouds. Occasionally someone will look at me and say "don't you know that's a storm cloud?" Technically, it is the uniform, grey covering cloud (which may or may not bring rain), and I have always liked this as part of its meaning.
Grey happens, rain happens- we are the ones who choose whether we associate it with the negative or the positive- or simply as part of life. A nimbus is, very basically, an atmosphere-and, light or grey, we each have our own little morphing patterns. And while I love bringing a little more "light" into someone's atmosphere; I really only get to facilitate. Ultimately, we all call our own "light!"
Perhaps we should dance, happy, in the rain. Perhaps our songs of rain should give praise. Perhaps we should seek out rainbows.
While I chose the name Nimbus primarily for it's connotation of a person's glow or aura, which massage helps enhance towards the positive, it does carry another meaning of the clouds. Occasionally someone will look at me and say "don't you know that's a storm cloud?" Technically, it is the uniform, grey covering cloud (which may or may not bring rain), and I have always liked this as part of its meaning.
Grey happens, rain happens- we are the ones who choose whether we associate it with the negative or the positive- or simply as part of life. A nimbus is, very basically, an atmosphere-and, light or grey, we each have our own little morphing patterns. And while I love bringing a little more "light" into someone's atmosphere; I really only get to facilitate. Ultimately, we all call our own "light!"
news + promos
Nimbus has a new addition to our referral program!
We are now adding an option to host an in-home massage gathering- Pampered-Chef-Style! We'll bring the massage to you and your friends, they can get introduced to what Nimbus has to offer (and maybe accomplish a little holiday shopping), and you will earn massage for yourself! Yay, massage!
(Plus, we still have the traditional referral benefit- your person gets their first session at your member rate and you get 15-minutes free for each person you refer.)
We are now adding an option to host an in-home massage gathering- Pampered-Chef-Style! We'll bring the massage to you and your friends, they can get introduced to what Nimbus has to offer (and maybe accomplish a little holiday shopping), and you will earn massage for yourself! Yay, massage!
(Plus, we still have the traditional referral benefit- your person gets their first session at your member rate and you get 15-minutes free for each person you refer.)
quick tip - warmth
As the days and nights cool, many with muscular tension and pain will feel an increase in how tight their muscles feel. Cooler temperatures do promote constriction. Staying warm and adding heat can help your muscles stay looser.
Stretching after a warm shower is an easy way to use heat at home to enhance the positive effects of stretching. You can certainly use other heat sources like heating pads or hot packs for localized relief of an area, either as an aid in itself or along with stretching or self massage. (If you're dealing with an injury, however, you should apply ice in the early days following the trauma.)
At the studio, we'll be using our table warmer during these cooler months to help keep your muscles warm and relaxed!
Stretching after a warm shower is an easy way to use heat at home to enhance the positive effects of stretching. You can certainly use other heat sources like heating pads or hot packs for localized relief of an area, either as an aid in itself or along with stretching or self massage. (If you're dealing with an injury, however, you should apply ice in the early days following the trauma.)
At the studio, we'll be using our table warmer during these cooler months to help keep your muscles warm and relaxed!
Friday, September 16, 2011
kristina's corner
About a half-an-hour in to washing the blinds from the studio, wet and cursing the fact that I had ever undertaken this endeavor, because who's even going to notice, another idea dawned on me. Stewardship.
Suddenly, I felt like a caretaker lovingly tending to the details of something I care about. Because taking care of the things we find important, is important.
Perhaps the blinds themselves are not all-important, but they make part of a whole. A detail of the tableau, working with the rest of the elements to create a scene. And the room's comfort and appeal are important to me because they inform your experience.
And performing the little "chores" to keep it pleasant and relaxing are easy ways for me to impart the energy of care into our space. It's why we have Spring Cleaning.
Now, I almost feel ready to tackle the office!
Suddenly, I felt like a caretaker lovingly tending to the details of something I care about. Because taking care of the things we find important, is important.
Perhaps the blinds themselves are not all-important, but they make part of a whole. A detail of the tableau, working with the rest of the elements to create a scene. And the room's comfort and appeal are important to me because they inform your experience.
And performing the little "chores" to keep it pleasant and relaxing are easy ways for me to impart the energy of care into our space. It's why we have Spring Cleaning.
Now, I almost feel ready to tackle the office!
quick tip - protect your hands
As a person who works with her hands, I love to hear information and tips about keeping your hands in good shape.
A member, who is a Physical Therapist specializing in hand therapy, recently shared the following fact with me. The pressure that you put on the tip of your thumb, through pressing or pinching, transfers 30 times that amount of pressure to the joint at the base of your thumb (where it meets the wrist). If that joint becomes inflamed, it can then radiate back up the thumb. (And I will add that joint inflammation can trigger the surrounding muscles to tighten in an effort to protect the joint further; contributing to any discomfort that may be present.)
Many people who work with their hands, or who suffer from arthritis, experience discomfort in this area. If you have begun to experience modest tension or pain in this area, you can help mitigate the pain by finding ways to limit the use of your thumbs until it has subsided.
Some things we therapists do to protect our thumbs include: using elbows, knuckles, or other fingers to press; finding tools to help us work; and finding alternatives to grasping. (And, of course, getting massage- reflexology is great for this!)
I hope this statistic helps-- and thanks Pat!
A member, who is a Physical Therapist specializing in hand therapy, recently shared the following fact with me. The pressure that you put on the tip of your thumb, through pressing or pinching, transfers 30 times that amount of pressure to the joint at the base of your thumb (where it meets the wrist). If that joint becomes inflamed, it can then radiate back up the thumb. (And I will add that joint inflammation can trigger the surrounding muscles to tighten in an effort to protect the joint further; contributing to any discomfort that may be present.)
Many people who work with their hands, or who suffer from arthritis, experience discomfort in this area. If you have begun to experience modest tension or pain in this area, you can help mitigate the pain by finding ways to limit the use of your thumbs until it has subsided.
Some things we therapists do to protect our thumbs include: using elbows, knuckles, or other fingers to press; finding tools to help us work; and finding alternatives to grasping. (And, of course, getting massage- reflexology is great for this!)
I hope this statistic helps-- and thanks Pat!
Monday, August 8, 2011
kristina's corner
Define your success.
As we move through life, many of us strive toward a picture of success learned at an early age. Hopefully, from time to time, we stop to examine our ideal of success and reassess our ever-changing goals. The epitome of a life well-lived at 20 may not add up to the same set of "must-haves" at 50, or 90.
Knowing your true definition of success and why you have defined it so, will steer your thoughts and actions ever towards your goal.
Do you seek enlightenment, happiness, financial freedom, adventure, a happy family...? Do you feel like you already walk this path? What would you need to change to attain it? Can you allow for life's surprises along the way? Why does this weigh in your soul?
As I pondered this for myself, I realized that I feel very successful right now. But not based on (our) society's definition of success, or even what I thought of as success five years ago. In a few more years, things will probably change again...
But for now, I will enjoy it while I feel it.
As we move through life, many of us strive toward a picture of success learned at an early age. Hopefully, from time to time, we stop to examine our ideal of success and reassess our ever-changing goals. The epitome of a life well-lived at 20 may not add up to the same set of "must-haves" at 50, or 90.
Knowing your true definition of success and why you have defined it so, will steer your thoughts and actions ever towards your goal.
Do you seek enlightenment, happiness, financial freedom, adventure, a happy family...? Do you feel like you already walk this path? What would you need to change to attain it? Can you allow for life's surprises along the way? Why does this weigh in your soul?
As I pondered this for myself, I realized that I feel very successful right now. But not based on (our) society's definition of success, or even what I thought of as success five years ago. In a few more years, things will probably change again...
But for now, I will enjoy it while I feel it.
news + promos
Floor work special! For the remainder of the month of August, Kristina will offer a "guinea pig" special on one hour floor-work sessions. Just $45 for the hour now through August 31st! Members you will receive a separate notice for a members-only promo.
Melody now has regular Friday hours at Nimbus. She will be available 11:00am-8:00pm Friday's.
Melody now has regular Friday hours at Nimbus. She will be available 11:00am-8:00pm Friday's.
quick tip - breathing
Breath work and deep breathing exercises help calm the body and mind, aid in meditation, and complement body building practices.
It can also improve your massage experience! When you first get on the table for your massage, take a few deep, centering breaths to foster deeper relaxation and bring your attention into your body.
As your therapist works and finds tender areas, take deeper breaths and slowly release as she increases her pressure. This will aid the muscles in releasing their tension.
It can also improve your massage experience! When you first get on the table for your massage, take a few deep, centering breaths to foster deeper relaxation and bring your attention into your body.
As your therapist works and finds tender areas, take deeper breaths and slowly release as she increases her pressure. This will aid the muscles in releasing their tension.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
kristina's corner
After month's of threatening, I finally booked my appointment with Rob for a Past-Life Regression session. I found the experience intriguing and would be happy to answer any questions about it.
After the session, we discussed how part of the process involves opening yourself to a lesson or message from Spirit that has some bearing on your life.
"My spirits," I said, "laugh at me a lot.... Oh, and they like dancing."
I thought this sounded silly, but Rob didn't miss a beat. He shared how he has learned that part of our so-called "mission on Earth" is to have fun. To enjoy the corporeal. To not take ourselves too seriously.
This feels to me like truth.
I came home that night, put on the radio, and danced around the living room. Much to the amusement of my husband. I had lost touch with how much fun it was to just goof off.
So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go find something silly to enjoy!
(And, if you're brave, post it here in a comment, on my Facebook page, or e-mail it to me and I might add it as a guest spot on the newsletter.)
After the session, we discussed how part of the process involves opening yourself to a lesson or message from Spirit that has some bearing on your life.
"My spirits," I said, "laugh at me a lot.... Oh, and they like dancing."
I thought this sounded silly, but Rob didn't miss a beat. He shared how he has learned that part of our so-called "mission on Earth" is to have fun. To enjoy the corporeal. To not take ourselves too seriously.
This feels to me like truth.
I came home that night, put on the radio, and danced around the living room. Much to the amusement of my husband. I had lost touch with how much fun it was to just goof off.
So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go find something silly to enjoy!
(And, if you're brave, post it here in a comment, on my Facebook page, or e-mail it to me and I might add it as a guest spot on the newsletter.)
news + promos
My massage floor mat has arrived! Floor sessions will be coming soon...
In a floor session, the client wears comfortable clothing and lays on the mat. The therapist works on the client using a variety of techniques including stretching, massage, meridian work, and barefoot massage.
For those who benefit from stretching, working on the floor allows us to accomplish a greater variety of stretches.
Being on the floor also allows the therapist to deliver deep pressure uninvasively. We can get a lot of pressure, but using the foot disperses the pressure over more area.
Looking forward to it!
In a floor session, the client wears comfortable clothing and lays on the mat. The therapist works on the client using a variety of techniques including stretching, massage, meridian work, and barefoot massage.
For those who benefit from stretching, working on the floor allows us to accomplish a greater variety of stretches.
Being on the floor also allows the therapist to deliver deep pressure uninvasively. We can get a lot of pressure, but using the foot disperses the pressure over more area.
Looking forward to it!
quick tip - focus sessions
As a long-time recipient of massage, I know that my body really craves a full-body massage if I haven't had one in a while. As an active person, I have problem areas that need focused attention. Sometimes I feel conflicted as to whether I want less focus on my whole body, or intense focus on one or two areas. What's a girl to do!
One strategy that works for me is setting a rotating schedule. Full-body, upper body focus, lower body focus. Sometimes, I go even more in-depth and rotate between hands/arms/shoulders, neck/shoulders, back/neck, legs/hips/feet, hands/feet.
If you haven't yet had a chance to try a focus session- give it a go! We can choose a strategy based on your problem areas and lifestyle. Give those stressed-zones the extra attention they deserve!
One strategy that works for me is setting a rotating schedule. Full-body, upper body focus, lower body focus. Sometimes, I go even more in-depth and rotate between hands/arms/shoulders, neck/shoulders, back/neck, legs/hips/feet, hands/feet.
If you haven't yet had a chance to try a focus session- give it a go! We can choose a strategy based on your problem areas and lifestyle. Give those stressed-zones the extra attention they deserve!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
kristina's corner
This month, I just want to say "thank you."
You guys make me happy to get up and come to work each day. I love getting to know you and working with you to help you with your wellness goals. It really means a lot to me to have such wonderful clients.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You guys make me happy to get up and come to work each day. I love getting to know you and working with you to help you with your wellness goals. It really means a lot to me to have such wonderful clients.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
news + promos
This month we are offering a two-day special.
In order to better acquaint you with Melody and Margaret, each will be available for one day at a special rate.
Book an hour session for $45 (the half-hour rate), book a 90-minute session for $70 (the hour rate)!
Melody will be available this coming Friday 6/10/11 and Margaret will be available this coming Saturday 6/11/11. Please call 804.714.7932 by close of business Wednesday 6/8/11 to book this deal. (On-line booking not available.)
In order to better acquaint you with Melody and Margaret, each will be available for one day at a special rate.
Book an hour session for $45 (the half-hour rate), book a 90-minute session for $70 (the hour rate)!
Melody will be available this coming Friday 6/10/11 and Margaret will be available this coming Saturday 6/11/11. Please call 804.714.7932 by close of business Wednesday 6/8/11 to book this deal. (On-line booking not available.)
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