Why we chose doTERRA

I have used essential oils for a very long time.  Just about as long as I have been a massage therapist.  We were briefly introduced to them in school with our massage training, but if you wanted an in-depth look into what oils actually did, you had to do that on your own.

When I worked for Princess Cruises in 2008 to 2010, my knowledge of essential oils grew a lot more.  We used several different essential oils regularly in our services including Lavender, Tea Tree and Lime.  It was really fascinating to integrate these oils into our everyday lives and see how well they worked for our on-board clients.  Another massage therapist and I were even chosen to host a few essential oil classes for the passengers on board to attend to learn more about the oils themselves and the treatments that we offered that used them.

When I joined Fusion in fall of 2010, there was an even bigger presence of essential oils here.  Previous owner, Nancy, was actually going through her aromatherapy certification during my tenure with Fusion as a massage therapist.  As I learned more and more about oils and started using them regularly on my own, Nancy held a personal class for myself and another employee to really get into the specifics of oils.  It was from that point on I really was invested in learning more about oils.

It wasn’t until I became the owner of Fusion in 2013 that I wanted to dedicate more time as Nancy had done to becoming an aromatherapist.  In March of 2016, I finally completed my Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist certification which involved 675 hours of class time and curriculum, case studies, and research.  There was so much about the knowledge of oils that I hadn’t quite grasped through my years of using them, but the class was just what I needed to really cap off what I needed to know to efficiently recommend oils to others.

During my class, I hadn’t realized that there were so many aspects of oils that just a regular person probably didn’t know about.  The constituents of each oil, how they were made, how and where they were grown, all play important roles in how each oil turns out.  Concerning constituents, I learned so much about which “ingredients” are contained in each oil and what they are useful for.  For instance, essential oils that contain terpenes are great for alleviating built up toxins in the body especially in the liver and kidneys. Concerning cultivation, it’s important to know botany and how/where your oil was derived from.  The lavender from Bulgaria is not going to be the same lavender from France because of different soil pH, temperature, rainfall, amounts of sunshine, etc.  All of these play a major part in how exactly the essential oil will turn out.  A lot of times a regular person doesn’t think about those things when considering buying oils.

Since taking my class, all of these topics have been really important to me when it comes to picking an essential oil brand to have in our shop.  We do carry both Plantlife and doTERRA, but doTERRA has definitely become my preferred brand for many reasons.  Plantlife is a GREAT brand, don’t get me wrong, but their oils come “pre-blended” which means that they are already blended with a carrier oil in their bottles along with whatever particular essential oil is in the bottle.  doTERRA however is 100% pure, unadulterated essential oils source from over 80 farms all over the world.

I did a lot of research into this company about their farms, their distillation and extraction methods, and how pure their oils really were.  I think what really pushed me to them was when I did a blind smell test against Plantlife and every oil I picked were doTERRA.  I could SMELL the purity in the oils.  Of course, when I started using them daily, I could feel and taste the purity of the oils as well.  I had always been on the fence about ingesting oils until I came to doTERRA.

Now many of you are probably familiar with doTERRA and Young Living because they are MLM companies.  If you don’t know what that means, it stands for Multi-Level Marking company or as most people think of them…. “pyramid schemes.”  Anyone who knows me and knows how I feel about oils and Fusion knows that this is NOT why I became associated with doTERRA.  Of course, when you join a company like that you come under scrutiny for this very reason.  “You just joined to make a buck of unsuspecting people.”  I have gotten that a few times.  But like I said, anyone who knows me knows that I am truly dedicated to bringing a premium product to our clients at Fusion, and with doTERRA, that is what myself and my staff are doing.

I would never put something on my shelves that I wouldn’t use on my own family so being able to provide such a great product to everyone has brought me great joy.  I never brought doTERRA in to “make a buck” off anyone or scam them into buying into a pyramid scheme.  It really stinks that this business is essentially set up this way, but Fusion is not a part of that.  We don’t actively take part in “building” our downline or pyramid.  We joined with doTERRA so we could use and provide amazing, pure essential oils to our clients.

The reason I emphasize that we are not building a pyramid or take part in that is because I have come under scrutiny from a couple of clients claiming I am ripping them and the rest of Fuison’s clients off.  Of course, those of you who know me personally, my story, and my dedication to Fusion and its clients know that I would NEVER put money before my client’s needs.  Unfortunately for some, they have jumped to conclusions about my business and about me without giving me a chance to show them what Fusion is really about.  I guess I can’t win everyone over, can I?  I guess it really isn’t the most convenient thing in the world to be a part of an MLM, but I’m part of doTERRA, an MLM that actually makes an AMAZING product that is pure, natural, and WORKS.

In the end, I am going to stick by that and my decision to carry this brand in my shop because they are the best, and the best is the only thing I want for Fusion.

Yours in health and wellness,

Amanda

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Fun and Fab June Facial Specials!

I love it when I can go somewhere and find all these amazing little “mini-treatments” I can bring to Fusion to spice things up a bit.  Don’t get me wrong, I love our PCA and Dermaquest lines, but having a little something different thrown into the mix makes for an even more relaxing and luxurious result to any facial.  In this lengthy blog post (sorry!), I’m going to explain all of June’s facial add-ons for you so you’ll know just the right one to pick for yourself.  It’s so hard to choose!  Trust me!

Farmhouse Fresh Facial Treatments

1. The Splendid Dirt Masque with Organic Pumpkin Puree
This is my favorite masque from FHF.  It is a natural, nutrient-rich masque of Illite and Bentonite clays, enzyme-rich pumpkin, and active yogurt cultures that instantly boost overall radiance by deep cleansing pores and shrinking their look.  It helps improve the look of broken capillaries and uneven skin tone.  The thick, velvety puree blend goes on smooth and provides a mild tingling sensation as oxygenation and circulation to your skin increases.  The feeling is temporary for the mask is self-neutralizing as it dries.  This masque is recommended for all but sensitive skin types.  You won’t be disappointed with this favorite!

2. The Pajama Paste Soothing Active Yogurt Masque
This masque is a skin tightener, super hydrator and redness reducer!  Pajama paste is a natural, fresh-blended blend of active yogurt, Bentonite clay, wild honey and oats that instantly soothes, softens and refines the look of your skin.  This masque deep cleanses pores and temporarily shrinks their look.  You’ll feel a gentle warming sensation as this masque works its magic!  If you suffer from rosacea or skin redness, this masque is definitely for you to try.

3. Our Sundae Best Chocolate Softening Masque with CoQ10
This chocolate masque is a skin softener, wrinkle defender and revitalizer.  Sundae Best is a naturally blended face mask with wholesome ingredients like cocoa, coconut milk, honey, CoQ10, carrot fruit cells, and ginseng extract.  All those ingredients combined help to firm and tighten the look and feel of your skin while leaving skin radiant and smooth.  You won’t be disappointed with this masque!

4. The Sand Your Ground Clarifying Mud Exfoliation Masque
This masque is perfect for dull, lackluster skin that needs some rejuvenation.  Awarded Top New Skincare product by Essence Magazine, this medium-grained powdered volcanic pumice polishes skin smooth, while Red Arizona Montmorillonite Clay absorbs bacteria and toxins.  Willow Bark extract brings a refreshing feel that soothes skin to a pore-less finish.  A little goes a long way with this treatment, and you will not be disappointed with the smooth, finished results.

Éminence Facial Treatments

1. Blueberry Detox Firming Peel with marble cold stone massage
This naturally exfoliating peel deep cleans pores and tones the look of skin.  The combination of raspberry juice, blackberry juice, and pineapple extract is high in vitamins and antioxidants that will nourish and refresh your skin.  Lactic acid will remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of your skin’s texture. This is a HOT peel so it is not advised for those with sensitive skin.  It does leave your face slightly flushed with redness afterwards.  We have coupled this results driven peel with an AMAZING cold marble stone facial massage that will help to tighten your skin and shrink your pores.  The two combined feel absolutely amazing together to create a one-of-a-kind facial treatment.

2. Lime Stimulating Masque
This detoxifying gel masque assists in increasing oxygenation in the skin, clears blemished or acne-prone skin while increasing the absorption rate for other products.  Contains lime, lemon, thermal water, nettle and Biocomplex: a booster of antioxidants, vitamins, CoQ10, and Alpha Lipoic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of your skin.

3. Hungarian Herbal Mud Treatment
This active reinforcer is highly stimulating and improves skin tone and vitality.  Improves oily, acne and seborrheic skin conditions while helping to reduce sebum production and irritation.  An energizing masque for an overall healthy glow.  Contains: thermal mud, sage, willow, ivy, cinnamon, paprika and Biocomplex!

4. Seven Herb Treatment
Heal your complexion, reduce irritation and revive your senses with this amazing treatment.  This unique combination of herbs will soothe and nourish your skin and help prevent future breakouts.  Contains Zinc Oxide, honey, ground ivy, red clover, aloe juice, peppermint, Sambuca (elder berry) and Biocomplex.  Great for all skin types especially acne-prone skin.

5. Pear & Poppy Seed Microderm Polisher
This gentle exfoliating masque polishes skin to perfection.  Pear and apple pulp infuse your skin’s appearance with bioflavinoids and antioxidants so when the skin’s roughness is washed away, all that is left is a rosy complexion. Rich in green tea and alfalfa.  Great for all skin types but may be harsh on more sensitive skin.

6. Bamboo Age Corrective Masque
Treat the skin with this age repairing masque that uses the most power anti-aging technology in natural and organic skin care.  Increases collagen levels and promotes cell regeneration for firmer and tighter skin.   Contains Natural Retinol Alternative, Phytocelltec Swiss Green Apple Stem Cells, Bamboo Extract, Argan Oil,Shea Butter and BioComplex™ (Vitamin A, Vitamin C Ester, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid).  All these powerhouses combine for the most amazing anti-aging masque on the market today.

7. Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel (20%)
Accelerate the exfoliation process with this 20% enzyme peel that removes dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines, and sun damage.  This delicious puree of yam and pumpkin leaves skin looking firm and radiant.  This peel also contains lactic acid, willow back extract, glycolic acid, papaya, and green tea.  This great combination of exfoliators helps to slough away dead skin cells and leave skin pampered.

8. Citrus + Kale Potent C+E Masque
Potent, cream-gel masque for all skin types.  Harness the natural power of Vitamins C+E with a boost of nourishing vitamins for the skin.  A cocktail of citrus, rhubarb extract, leafy greens and avocado oil helps reduce the appearance of sun damage, lines and wrinkles.  Also contains potato juice which helps repair unevenness in skin tone!  Truly amazing.

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So there you have it ladies and gentlemen!  I hope you enjoyed reading about these spectacular new treatments we are showcasing for the month of June to add on to your facial service.  I have tried all of them and loved all of them!  I can’t wait for you to try some too.  See you soon!

Yours in great health,

Amanda

Massage Do’s, Don’ts and FAQs! (Part 6)

Hey Fusionites!  Sorry it has taken me so long to get around to posting.  We have been so busy at the shop!  I’m sad to say though this is the last post for our blog series!  But have no fear, we have more great topics on the way!  Check out these last two items for this blog series Massage Do’s, Don’ts and FAQs!  Happy reading!

1. Massage Don’t: DO NOT COME IN SICK!

Life happens! We all get sick every now and then especially in our line of work where we are in close proximity with our clients in enclosed rooms multiple times a day. At Fusion, we practice the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitize our rooms multiple times a day to prevent the spread of germs as much as possible. Regardless of our best efforts though, sometimes clients can “slip through the cracks” and come in with an illness.   When a client comes to an appointment ill it is because they think massage will make them better when in reality it can exacerbate their symptoms! It is also dangerous for other clients, the staff and facility as germs spread so quickly and in so many ways!  Usually what happens is a therapist or two will fall off the schedule due to sickness which is never convenient for the clients and definitely not for the therapists as well. Fusion does not charge you for a last minute cancellation due to sickness. This is something out of our realm of control. We completely understand if this happens and want you to be well and germ-free before returning to us.

2. Massage therapists are people too.

Have you ever gotten a call to cancel your appointment because your therapist is sick or has a sick child, is hurt or they had an emergency? As the owner, I hate it when one of my therapists calls out sick or has to leave for something, but then I remember, they are people too! My therapists have fully functioning lives and families outside of Fusion, and I need to take a chill pill and remember they are human just like me. As clients, I hope you can remember that too. Here are a few things we have to remember about our therapists:

1. We are at a higher risk to get sick as mentioned in #1 of today’s post. It’s amazing the types of germs we can contract from our clients and the people around us. This is why we urge you to stay home when you’re sick.
2. We do get time off and go on vacation. Clients have called to book an appointment and ended up angry with us because their therapist is off, gone, or sick.  Although we are a serviced base business, massage therapy is hard on a person’s body so the therapists do need time off occasionally to recuperate their strength.
3. We can’t work every day from 9 am to 7 pm. Massage therapy as a job is extremely tiring. It is a lot of physical strain on our entire body. When clients are upset that we don’t have an opening for them for another 3 weeks, this is something out of our hands. At Fusion, we are fully staffed and the therapists work the maximum amount of hours recommended in a week for this line of work. Never will I push my therapists over that limit. Also, due to our increasing popularity over the years, it is sometimes a lengthier wait for services due to the high demand of our services.
4. Time is money: We have a 24 hour cancellation policy for a reason, and it is not to drain money from you. I promise! If an emergency or sickness happens last minute, we totally understand and waive the cancellation fee. When events with work happen that are out of your hands, we understand that too. On the contrary, if you call to cancel because you don’t feel like coming or you change your mind last minute and don’t show up, the cancellation fee does apply. Why you ask? Our therapist’s time is very valuable. We are at high demand and when you cancel last minute, it doesn’t avail someone else who is on our waiting list the chance to use our services. Also it is VERY unfair to the therapists. The therapist does not get paid if you don’t come to your appointment. When cancelling last minute or not showing up, the therapist doesn’t have a chance to fill that appointment and loses out on income. Please respect your therapist and be sure to come to your appointments healthy and on time!

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Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this blog post.  It was fun covering some much asked about topics!  Stayed tuned for our next blog post over our June Special: New Facial Add-ons!  I will cover the need-to-know info on which amazing facial add-on you should try next month!  See you soon!

Be blessed and healthy,
Amanda

Massage Dos, Don’ts and FAQs! Part 5

Sorry to keep everyone waiting!  It has been a busy April here at Fusion.  I broke up the last 4 topics into parts 5 and 6 since they are kind of long!  Here are today’s topics!  Enjoy the read and check back in a couple days for the last two topics to end this blog series!  Thanks for reading!

1. Massage therapy is like… THERAPY!

Whenever you are receiving a massage, and you tell your therapist about personal feelings or issues, do not fear! It is normal for clients to express their feelings and emotions during a stress- relieving treatment. We are all ears. Sometimes you get so comfortable with your therapist; you feel you can tell them anything just like you would your hair stylist! Again, have no fear. We take your personal life and well-being seriously. Anything you say in the room to your therapist is strictly confidential and will not ever be repeated. Our therapist sign a confidentiality agreement when they begin their tenure at Fusion so if you spill info that shouldn’t be shared do not worry. Just as other healthcare professionals operate so does Fusion. Your personal information will always be kept private and safe.

2. Massage Don’t: Don’t worry if you didn’t shave your legs!

So many times clients come in and feel embarrassed that they didn’t shave their legs. I can’t even count the times a client has profusely apologized for not shaving. My response? If you hadn’t told me otherwise, I would have never known your legs were not shaved unless you had hairy man legs!! No insult intended here but just referencing a man’s leg hair seems fitting for this analogy. Whether it’s been two weeks since you shaved or 2 days, it is very difficult for your therapist to tell whether or not your legs are shaved. Our hands go through a bit of “desensitization” over the years and something as acute as tiny hairs is hard for us to differentiate from the feeling of normal shaved skin. With the massage cream barrier we create during a massage, the moisture, oil and glide makes it almost impossible to tell a shaved leg from a non-shaved leg. So have no fear if you forgot to shave! We appreciate the effort, but hey, don’t feel bad if you didn’t.

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Have a great weekend!

-Amanda

Massage Do’s, Don’ts and FAQs! Part 4

Hello everyone.  I hope you had a great Easter weekend.  It is time for the fourth part of our blog series Massage Do’s, Don’ts and FAQs.  We have covered some great topics over the past 3 blogs about subjects that come up a lot in our line of work.  I hope you enjoy the topics we have today!  And guess what?!  We had more additions to the list so there will be a part 5.  Yay!  Happy reading!

1. I’m cheating on my therapist with another therapist!

Don’t feel bad about this! Ultimately, we don’t mind at all and would rather you get a massage than not get one. Sometimes, it’s good to mix it up a little bit and see another therapist because you are getting a different perspective and technique to help work out your problem areas. Also, if you go to another therapist and like them better, we are not at all insulted if you leave to see someone else. We are invested in your health and wellness and want you to be happy, so we are glad when you can find someone you like more to help you with your needs. Remember, our number one priority is your health and well-being, and if you find that with a different therapist, we are okay with that! We just want you to be taken care of.

2. Massage Do: Stop the massage if you don’t like it.

Too many times have I seen people receive a massage and complain about it later either that it was too light or it was too hard. Don’t wait till later to say something!! You are paying for our services, and you have the right to say whether you like the massage or not. Whether you’re five minutes in or twenty five minutes in, if you are not comfortable, in pain, or feel like the therapist isn’t for you, say something! I hate it when clients invest time and money into a massage and walk away unhappy. You have the right to stop the service and rebook with someone else for a different time if the massage isn’t what you need. A lot of people are scared to say something out of fear of losing their money or fear of being rude, but we totally understand where you are coming from and don’t want you to feel that way. We don’t want you to endure a deep tissue massage that hurts you because you don’t want to be rude or because you don’t think you’ll get your money back. We are here to help you and will totally understand.

3. Massage Do: If you have a complaint, SAY IT!

We thrive on both positive and negative feedback. How else will we grow as therapists and as a business if our clients didn’t complain about something every once in awhile? We don’t find it insulting or rude by any means. If you feel your therapist’s skills weren’t up to par, you should definitely tell us so we can better train the therapist and hone their skills. Feedback is essential in our line of work so we can learn from our mistakes and grow into better habits. Feedback teaches us the do’s and don’ts. Don’t ever be afraid to voice your opinion if you aren’t happy. We are here to help if you have any problems and want to help! Also, if you are happy with your services, you can tell us that too. We love to hear that we are doing a good job and our therapists love to know when they are doing a good job. Feedback is key!

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I really hope you enjoyed today’s topics.  The thing to take away from the topics today is this: don’t ever be afraid to come forward with a concern or a complaint.  We want to make this the best experience for you so please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you ever have an issue.  And don’t ever feel like you’re the only one complaining or over-complaining!

Look forward to part 5 in a couple days!  We’ll be covering these topics in our last blog post for this series: massage therapy is like going to therapy, the shaving controversy, and getting a massage when you’re ill.

Yours in great health,
Amanda

Massage Do’s, Don’ts & FAQs! Part 3

I hope you all have enjoyed the series thus far!  We have covered some frequently asked questions and events that occur every day in the massage and spa world.  Here are today’s topics for you!  Enjoy the read and Happy Easter weekend.

1. Why does my therapist try to sell me products?

We really aren’t just trying to give you a sales pitch, honestly. The reason we suggest post care and products is because we know from personal experience that certain products can help with pain or even facial products for facial concerns! All we want to do is help you to achieve maximum results from your service and post care/products is a part of that. We want to increase the longevity of your results by telling you about products and post care you should use. Too many times we see clients pass up our advice and continue to live with their concern because of lack of post care. It is important to do post care because it will help alleviate your pain that you really don’t have to live with! Trust in your therapist to give you honest advice about a product and what it is used for because we are really trying to help you maintain that good feeling post massage or facial for as long as you can.

2. Massage Do: Post-care – It really works!

YES! Or we wouldn’t recommend it. For example, foam rolling and stretching is our most common form of post care. Why? Because both actions mimic massage only without the act of actual massage. Foam rolling and stretching helps to loosen and lengthen your muscle tissues while increasing circulation and decreasing pain which is exactly what massage does, and it is also proven that both actions help to alleviate muscular pain and tension over time. Your therapist will give you a stretching sheet at the end of your treatment which you need to use! Don’t put it away or throw it away. Trust us, we are professionals and know what we are talking about. I had a gentleman in his mid-50s who had back surgeries in the 80s. He wasn’t the healthiest of people, but said, after his surgery, he has never suffered from pain since then because he stretches for 10 minutes every.. single.. day! I applaud him because he does way better than me first of all, but he does what I wish all clients did. He is living proof that it really does benefit you to do post care to help maintain a pain-free way of life.

3. Does my therapist know how to do a certain type of massage?

The answer to that is…maybe? Not all therapists are familiar with sports massage, clinical applications, reiki, or reflexology, just to name a few modalities. One thing is for certain though, all therapists receive training on all modalities related to massage when they go through a proper school, it just depends on what continuing education the therapist has had on certain modalities that sets apart their skill knowledge. All therapists should know the following “basic” modalities: Swedish massage (relaxation massage), deep tissue, prenatal massage and stretching. The degree at which the therapist performs at depends on what extra training they have acquired. So in essence, yes, your therapist knows a little bit about everything! Or they should anyway, but it doesn’t hurt to ask the receptionist or check out the staff profiles to see who is best suited for you.

I hope you are enjoying this series of blog posts!  It has been really fun writing about every day massage topics!  Stayed tuned for the last part of the series!  Coming up: “cheating” on your therapist, stopping your massage if you don’t like it, telling us your complaints, and massage therapy is like therapy!

Thanks for reading!

Yours in great health,
Amanda

Massage Do’s, Don’ts, and FAQs! Part 2

Here is our next installment!  Enjoy!

1. Massage Don’t: Don’t unnecessarily talk. Be quiet and relax!
   To talk or not to talk, that is the question. Therapists are trained to be silent during treatments to let their clients fully relax, but if you want to talk, then talk! We will talk back to you! If the therapist is talking too much for your liking though, don’t be afraid to tell them to back off on the talking a bit. Again, this doesn’t offend us because we want you to have the best possible massage ever. If you relax by talking, it is totally fine to talk throughout the massage to your therapist. Sometimes it is hard not too especially if you know your therapist well. It is essentially better to not talk during a massage so you can fully allow yourself to relax and so your therapist can concentrate. It is sometimes hard for therapists to stay on task if they are being constantly distracted with talking. So remember talking a little is okay, but try to relax and enjoy some of it in blissful quiet as the music takes you away!
2. Is (fill in name here) a good therapist?
   Um, yes? OF COURSE! All of our therapists at Fusion are excellent. The only difference between all of us is our personal touch and technique. We are very particular here at Fusion when choosing therapists to be a part of our family. All of our therapists have over 800 hours of training and 100 hours of post-school clinical training from very reputable massage facilities. Each and every one of them is great at massage in their own way. The only step that is up to you is finding out whose technique you like the best! Sometimes though there is a bump in the road for some clients, and their service isn’t 100% to their liking for one reason or another. That’s when management steps in to make sure that if you aren’t happy, we will do whatever it takes to amend the situation. It is my personal guarantee though that all of our therapists are more than qualified to be here and provide an amazing service. I believe in continuing education so all therapists go to at least 3 continuing ed. classes a year so you know you are receiving a massage from a skilled professional who is up-to-date on the latest techniques in our field.
3. I’m new. What do I do?
   Don’t worry first of all. We deal with new clients a lot, and as therapists, we have a protocol to follow for all new clients. We will guide you step-by-step through the process and talk you through the treatment. We are there to hold your hand so to speak. We will never perform a treatment on a new client without telling you all about it first. Most of all, don’t be nervous and LISTEN to what your therapist says. We will give you exact instructions on what to do. We tell our clients to lay face up to start the massage and 3 out of 5 times, the client will be lying face down instead! They are so nervous or anxious that they totally miss some of the instructions given to them by the therapist. To summarize, don’t be nervous, just relax and go with the flow!

Hope you enjoyed the second part of this series!  If you have a suggestion on a question or something you want discussed, leave a comment and let me know!  Heck, leave a comment about what you think!  I’d love to hear from all of you on what you think about our blog.

Next up in Part 3: why your therapist tries to sell you products, why we prescribe post-care homework, and does my therapist know how to do certain types of massage?  Be on the look out for Part 3 coming soon!

Yours in health and wellness,
Amanda

Massage Do’s, Don’ts, and FAQs! (Part I)

Over the 10 years I have been a therapist, I have literally seen everything you can imagine! During those years, a lot of the same things occurred over and over so I think it’s about time now to tell you some of my personal massage Do’s and Don’ts and answer all those frequently asked questions! Enjoy the read!

1. What should I wear to my massage? Undies or no undies?
   Anything you want! We give you instruction on what to do and how to disrobe so the clothing you wear to see us doesn’t really matter. When it comes to undies or no undies, therapists actually prefer a client who is completely undressed. If you just can’t do it, we understand. But why do we prefer that? We can really get into those upper hamstrings, your hips and lower back/gluts when underwear isn’t in the way. 9 out of 10 low back pain sufferers don’t realize their hamstrings and gluts are to blame so by removing the underwear, it lends to a better over all massage and better flow for long strokes by your therapist.
2. Massage Don’t: Stay relaxed. Don’t help your therapist. Relinquish control!
   So many people want to help me during the massage by moving their arms for me, lifting their head or adjusting their legs. DON’T DO THAT!! You’re so focused on helping me or holding your arm out that you aren’t concentrating on relaxing! I’ll move your arm or leg however I need it when I need to move it. Trust me, I won’t let your appendages flop or fall or drop your head! A lot of people “strong arm” me by holding their arm out when I massage.   When you do this and aren’t relaxed, it is actually harder on the therapist because they have to fight against a muscle that isn’t relaxed. It is hard to completely give away control, but you can practice by concentrating on your deep breathing and trusting your therapist. It makes for a much more relaxing massage. TRUST ME!!
3. Massage Do: Tell your therapist what you want!
   Don’t be afraid to say “more work on my neck please” or “harder pressure on my feet please.” We can’t read your mind although we can read your body cues quite well. You are investing money in this treatment, and we want it to be worth your while so don’t be afraid to tell us things like this! We want this to be an amazing experience! We don’t get offended if you tell us to be specific. In fact, we want you to be specific then we can achieve greater results.

Stayed tuned for Parts 2 – 4 coming soon!  What to expect in Part Deux: Talking in your service, is my therapist good?, and I’m new and clueless!

Blissful health and wellness to you,
Amanda

Benefits of Massage

Although massage has become extremely popular over the last ten years, there are still a lot of people that view massage as only a luxury.  Although it is luxurious, massage can also therapeutic and restorative.  Investing time into a massage can aid in so many aspects.  Even if you only come once a month or every other month, the cumulative benefits of receiving massage on a regular basis can make daily life less stressful and help calm those every day aches and pains we just “get used to.”  Here are the top 9 reasons to receive a massage:

1. It helps you manage stress!
Stress is directly related to a wide variety of health issues in our lives – from problems as common as migraine headaches to serious diseases like cancer. Managing stress could very well mean you are preventing physical problems in your body.
When we undergo stress, our bodies release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol to help us react to the situation. The problem is that this reaction, which is sometimes called “fight or flight,” can come at unnecessary times or be prolonged – making it hard to relax.
Massage can release important endorphins – like serotonin and dopamine – which are neurotransmitters that help you calm down. They’re often called your body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. Massage Therapy calms the body and relaxes the mind helping to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels.  Considering the detrimental effect of stress on your body, this can lead to a major difference in your overall well being.

2. Stimulate and Detoxify the Body
The lymph system is the body’s natural defense against toxins and impurities. Massage Therapy stimulates the flow of toxic waste from the muscles, organs and tissues for improved health, digestion and circulation.  The removal of these toxins helps to improve your body’s overall health and homeostasis.

3. Recover From Injury Faster!
Sports massage can break up scar tissue for more efficient movement. It can improve functional abilities and range of motion.  The stimulation of muscular tissue through massage helps your body’s cell to be able to regenerate faster thus cutting down on your recuperation time.

4. Helps Improve Posture!
Massage can improve posture by helping to train muscles to be in the right position allowing for better support to our structure.  By re-training your muscles, you will notice over time that your tension and stress will be alleviated.

5. Prevent Injury or Illness
Tense muscles tighten and pull the body out of alignment and restrict circulation.  Regular massage can increase circulation and relax the body to prevent chronic conditions from taking hold.

6. Enhance and Maintain Good Health
Massage is to the human body what a tune up is to a car.  It helps to reduce heart rate, lowers blood pressure and strengthens immunity by boosting lymphocytes.  The release of endorphins and serotonin during a massage boosts the immune system and creates harmony in your body.

7. Improves Attitude and Increases Alertness
You can’’t help but feel good after a  massage leading to a more positive disposition.  Massage stimulates brain and cell activity in your body and reduces stress thus creating an overall better mood.

8. Relieves Pain
Massage helps block the nervous systems pain receptors and increases blood flow to the muscles.  It can increase mobility to the joints to help reduces arthritis pain, ease the pain of migraines, pregnancy, cancer and fibromyalgia.

9. It Feels Wonderful!
Any one who has had a massage can attest that you feel like a new person afterwards.  In addition to all the health benefits listed above Massage Therapy boosts endorphins, the same hormone associated with a runners high.  If you have never had a professional massage, now is the time to try! .

So if you have a little or a lot to spend on a massage, investing time and money into one is well worth it.  You don’t have to live with those little aches and pains!  We are only given one body so taking care of it is very important.

Info taken from http://essentialintegrativemedicine.com

The term “certified pure,” ingesting oils, and using oils neat… questions answered!

Oils are becoming HUGE in mainstream social media, and people are jumping at the chance to live a healthier medication free life!  I stumbled upon this blog sent to me by a friend that really touches on some great points.  People get so excited and jump on the oil band wagon that they just “trust” what a popular company tells them to do with oils without doing extensive research first.  Some things you need to do before deciding what oil brand you want to use:

1) Get samples and paper test them

2) Learn the oil constituents

3) Buy a reputable book that covers EO basics

4) Find a Certified Aromatherapist and/or blog by a CA that you can reference for questions

Anyway, check out this blog via my blog.  It’s some great reading and very informative when it comes to wanting to delve more into the world of essential oils!

– Amanda

Granola Living by Giselle Baturay  <— Click here!