Celebrate National Pumpkin Day in Olney Illinois

[ YUM! ] Oct. 26 is National Pumpkin Day. We've got pumpkin recipes on the YUM pinboard (including cinnamon-roasted seeds and baked Alaska). 

Not a chef? Olney Massage has pumpkin spice massages and body scrubs. 

Ophelia's Cup has pumpkin bars. Wild Imaginations and Ivy's Cottage have pumpkin-scented and pumpkin-colored goodies for your home. 

I hope you find a way to get your pumpkin fix right here in Olney. See you soon!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients five days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

REVIEWS: Olney Massage

[ FIRST TIME CLIENTS ] 

See what your friends and family say about their massage therapy sessions. Read more on our online reviews page.

• "I feel so much less stressed."
• "I felt rejuvenated and relaxed."
• "It was worth getting out of my comfort zone."
• "I booked online and it was simple and easy."
• "I fell asleep many times!"

Nervous? It's pretty normal to go into your first massage without knowing what to expect. Fortunately, we've got you covered. Check out the FIRST VISIT page on the website. There's a step by step guide with links you'll find helpful.

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

National Children's Day: a pediatric massage experience

Today is National Children's Day, and yesterday was Child Health Day! This post is about a pediatric client who's loved every massage he's ever had (since age 3). original post

I had barely closed the door when he said, "READY!" 

He was three years old when he received his first massage on my table. He recently turned ten, and the years have not faded his enthusiasm. He absolutely loves massages! 

Around age five, this client was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mom can see several benefits to him getting regular massages. She's seen an increase in the quality of his sleep, his manners/behavior in public and at home, and his ability to pay attention at school. 

At my office, children are treated like full-sized clients. I give kids the same amount of time when I'm listening and meeting their needs. This little guy likes ocean sounds, the smell of lavender, and firm pressure in his neck and shoulder areas. 

After the session, he always looks around the room and helps himself to a mint that I've left out for him. This time he grabbed the mint and lingered at my door. I caught him trying to walk with his foot inside a metal jewelry tray (shaped like a flip flop). It was exactly the size of his left foot, so we had a little chat about how it's not actually a flip flop. 

He enjoyed identifying which of his muscles were sore from playing video games by comparing his neck to the the anatomy charts outside my office door. I let him take a second piece of candy and thanked him for the massage he insisted on giving ME after his session. What a sweetheart! 

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Best of 2013: The science (and sounds) of relaxation. REPOST

Do you remember this? In February I wrote a post about clients burping and farting during a massage. It happens. 

But why does it happen? 

Blame science. All sorts of chemicals pass through the blood stream during a massage while your body calms down and slows its normal functions. A professional therapist should handle your body's "behavior" professionally. Massage stimulates your body's parasympathetic nervous system or "rest and digest" mode. 

You are doing these things because your body feels comfortable doing these things. Think of it as a massage therapist flipping a switch that lets your body know it's okay to let your guard down for a little while.

Snap, crackle, and pop? The science (and sounds) of relaxation.

Original post: February 12, 2013

These body functions are normal during a massage:

• snore
• drool
• pass gas (yep! burps and farts are normal)
• talk (or don't talk)
• snap, crackle, and pop

Here are two simple (yet scientific) explanations for those noises (READ MORE)

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

[ SPECIAL OFFER ] hot stone chair massage!

[ SPECIAL OFFER ] hot stone chair massage!

No oil. No disrobing. No jealous coworkers: you can come to the clinic together. Everybody wins! And for a limited time, get 5 for the price of 4 on the website. Get yours now!

Or try a session before you buy a package.

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Success! Clients love the new techniques I learned in Boston.

I'm back from training in Boston! I really enjoyed the classes, and I've already had success in using some of the techniques I learned for the core as well as the face.

Some clients fell asleep. I was honestly jealous! 

PS The clinic is open and operational! I'm so excited to be able to offer you such a nice clinic. It is a little sparse right now, but I'm working on that between clients.

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

 

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Thank You, Donna! (SPECIAL OFFER)

This is National Nurses Week and the week before Mother's Day. I'm writing to celebrate someone special (my mom - she's also a nurse!). I posted this in 2012, and I thought it was worth repeating this year.

SPECIAL OFFER: save 12% on any gift this weekend with code MAY12. Enjoy!

My mom is very special to me.
And massage is very special to her!

When I was growing up, she gave my sister and I something she called a "soccer" massage at bedtime. She read about athletic massage in a magazine, and getting regular massages as a child helped our little legs and toes. Sleep always came easy on massage nights.

Mom became a nurse when I was in high school. 
It didn't surprise me; she's a natural caregiver. When I decided to move back home after university, she let me have my old room. She even paid for my first massage class when I changed my plan (to go to law school).

The four night "sampler" class set her back about $33 in January 2006. By August, I was enrolled as a full-time massage therapy student. I made her proud by graduating with honors in May 2007. I was licensed by fall and set up shop in Olney!

I was scared. But Mom has always been there for me. I say thank you every year with a massage: not because they're free, but because she massaged me for years. It's the least I can do to repay her.

THANK YOU, MOM. I LOVE YOU!
--Cindy

PS If you'd like to thank someone special on May 12th, let me know what I can do to help.

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450 :: (618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

WONDERFUL JOB: New FIVE STAR client review.

★  ✰ ★ ☆ ✰ NINETY STARS ✰ ★ ✰ ☆ ★ 

Loyal and new clients, here's my latest five-star client review:

Client Rating	Service Scheduled
5 / 5 stars	Integrated Therapy Massage - 75min

Client Review: "WONDERFUL JOB - Relaxing Massage"

• "Cynthia does a wonderful job of creating a quiet, relaxing atmosphere and her positive energy is a bonus! Thanks Cynthia, I enjoyed the massage."

Need a gift for Mother's Day? (33 days!)

• I've got gift certificates available in my online gift shop. It's ok if Mom is hard to buy for... I've got you covered with certificates for a specific dollar amount. She can choose her favorite session!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

MEET ME: 9am-12pm at GSI in Flora, Illinois

I'll be at the Flora/GSI health fair from 9am to 12pm today!
The health fair will be in the GSI training room:
Address: 1051 W North Ave Flora, IL 62839

I'm excited to discuss the importance of regular massage therapy as well as perform chair massages for GSI employees. I'm so glad they asked me to return (I did this last year, too).

Need an appointment or gift certificate?
Give me a call at (618) 392-3800 or schedule/send gifts instantly using the buttons below.

See you soon!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olneymassage

Social media and YOUR five star massage experience

I use Facebook, Google+, LinkedIN, Pinterest, and Twitter to keep in touch with clients and other massage therapists. I can reach thousands of other people with just a few clicks!

Here's a bit of what I research on a daily basis:

• special offers and marketing ideas to expand my clientele
• advanced training opportunities (continuing education)
• tools to use to help clients and save my body from overuse/injury
• case studies for specific conditions improved by massage

Every day I discover (and share) something new. All of this information helps me to improve your massage therapy experience. But I contribute as well as consume this info.

What do I share?I post client reviews, share articles/pictures, and communicate with thousands of people every day on the internet. It doesn't take a long time, but it has helped me become a FIVE STAR massage therapist!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Five star massage therapy: new client reviews!

"I will be going back for sure!" --recent client

Thank you so much! I received three new five-star reviews this month. All three reviews came from new clients (thanks to your referrals!). Read them here.

This word cloud combines my three most recent reviews:

These first-time clients used phrases like "best massage," "first massage," and "enjoyed my massage." How exciting! 

If you are looking for a massage therapist in the Olney or Richland County Illinois area, please visit my website. I offer five star massage therapy in a clinical setting, and I am currently accepting new clients.

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

NEW CLIENTS: buy one and get one 50% off in March!

Have you seen this offer on Facebook? Click here to claim yours!

DETAILS: Schedule any 60+ minute massage therapy session in March and receive a VIP pass to save 50% off your next session! VIP passes are valid up to 90 days from the issue date. One per person, please. 

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

MEET ME! Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm

Stop by St. Paul UMC this Saturday for:

• gift certificates
• hand massages
• special offers

A portion of the sales will be donated to help the St. Paul youth group attend church camp this summer. Several local business will have booths in the fellowship hall.

Location address (map): 
St. Paul United Methodist Church
222 North Lincoln Street
Olney, IL 62450
Event time: 10:00am to 2:00pm

MORE INFO: http://www.facebook.com/events/419015714848233/

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Stress and massage: two physiological changes during a session

Cold weather is especially unkind to muscles and joints, and clients with fibromyalgia see me more frequently this time of year. I see a client with fibromyalgia every week (at least).

Yesterday I described the body's tendency to relax during a massage. Summary: the body receives chemical signals from the brain called neurotransmitters, and acetylcholine (ACh) is the main signal that our brains use to tell our body it's okay to relax. 

1. Massage increases levels of dopamine and serotonin.

• The brain releases a neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin during a massage. They're chemicals that our peripheral nervous system (PNS) use to tell our bodies that a massage "feels good."
• This is especially important in clients with fibromyalgia: their bodies tend to have lower levels of these neurotransmitters. Massage boosts these levels and can be thought of as a drug-free complement to a client's plan to keep fibromyalgia in check.

2. Massage decreases levels of cortisol, the body's "stress" hormone.

• In a 2010 study, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center measured lower levels of cortisol in healthy patients after one massage session. There's definitely a need for more research, but the medical community is starting to show a link between massage, decreased cortisol, and increased immunity.

If you would like to create your own "study" on how massage helps you relax, please call or schedule an appointment. I have a number of clients who receive massage on a regular basis as part of their wellness regimen, including clients who bring me doctor's notes that help me create a customized therapeutic massage (I love these notes!). I hope to see you soon!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Studies I referenced in this post:

Valentine's Day massage gift certificates available

FYI: you can order gift certificates 24/7 in the online gift shop. I've also got a few specials going on at http://olneymassage.com You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com