Seven reasons to schedule a massage

Note: Today I'm at Ophelia's Cup (11-3) for chair massages and gift certificate pickups. The earliest available appointment is midday next Monday.

ACTUAL CLIENT: 90 minutes (deep tissue)

Last year a new client scheduled this session: neck, back, and shoulders. The following week I received a thank you note and bouquet of flowers. This person had not experienced a day without pain for quite some time.

My focus since 2007 has been targeted and therapeutic massage. It's nice to be "pampered," but most people schedule an appointment for a specific reason: usually a medical condition or stress relief.

Three out of four people cited at least of these one reasons for receiving massage therapy according to the American Massage Therapy Association:

• pain relief (#1 reason for massage) 
• stiffness or spasms
• injury recovery
• stress relief
• migraines
• prevention
• general well-being

Is there anything wrong with being pampered?

No. Some of my clients would love to have a "pamper" type of massage after experiencing vigorous (and sometimes painful!) friction to post-surgery scars or firmly pressure on their congested sinuses during facial acupressure. I don't injure clients (my motto: do no harm), but not every therapy I offer is comfortable to receive.

COMING UP: Ladies Night is Tuesday, February 25th (4:00pm-8:00pm)

Stop by the Chamber of Commerce or any Olney area bank for tickets. There are a lot of great booths, including the one I'll set up one for the clinic. Come say hello!

Find out what the buzz is about! Our Main Street clinic accepts clients by appointment Monday through Friday from 10:00am-8:00pm. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE 604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail
 http://olneymassage.com

You may also enjoy reading these posts:

Creating the best massage in 3 steps
Add lavender for a better massage
Using your Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account

Making the most of your gift certificate: three tips

Here are three tips on redeeming your Olney Massage gift certificate (and a bonus tip if your gift certificate came from somewhere else). Ready to schedule? Book online! Your appointment is confirmed instantly. Need to call us first? Leave a voicemail, and we'll return your call between sessions: (618) 392-3800. See you soon!

1. Tell your friends (no, really). Let your loved ones know well in advance that you'll be unavailable for an hour after work (or whenever you choose to enjoy your massage). When you arrive at the clinic, turn off your cell phone. This is your time to recharge.

2. Enjoy an upgrade. If a free massage is good, a longer massage is better! Feel free to schedule whatever service you like. Look for the dollar amount listed on the gift certificate (it will cover most of your upgraded session). If there is a difference in session fees, we accept: credit, debit, Olney Chamber of Commerce SOS bucks, cash, local check, health savings account, or flexible spending account. 

3. Enjoy a discount. We offer a loyalty discount for clients who prepay for multiple sessions. Stretch your dollars (and your loved one's dollars) by putting your voucher towards a package of massages you'll enjoy on a regular basis.

BONUS: did you receive a massage gift certificate that didn't come from Olney Massage? Believe it or not, we accept those too! You'll need to call us before you schedule to make sure we'll accept it. Most gift certificates are accepted as long as the massage therapist is licensed, insured, and practicing locally.

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Find out what the buzz is about! Our Main Street clinic accepts clients by appointment Monday through Friday from 10:00am-8:00pm. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

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

 http://olneymassage.com

Six Investments in Six Years: my commitment to your health

Clients and friends:
This month begins year SEVEN as your five star massage therapist. I feel so fortunate to be able to offer quality, affordable therapy in the Olney/Richland County area.

Here are six investments I've made in the future of your health in the past six years:

1. Advanced training
2. Online scheduling and gift certificates
3. Your money IS good here!
4. Self care
5. Call me (or don't)
6. A professional clinic

1. Advanced training: This year I studied anatomy, core body techniques, and facial acupressure.

In the past, I've studied Comfort Touch (hospice/hospital settings), Neuromuscular Therapy (for injuries, dysfunction, and athletes), ethics, business, and a few other subjects. In addition to being super fun, advanced training allows me to maintain my status as an Illinois licensed massage therapist.

2. Online scheduling and online gift certificates: no phone tag, waiting on an email reply, or trying to catch me when I'm not massaging. Click, click, boom. Done!

3. Your money IS good here! I accept credit cards, flexible spending, health savings, local check, and cash. I even offer a discount for multi-session packages.

4. Self care: I take three full weeks of vacation a year and one day off each week to rest. I get massages, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and sleep seven hours a night.

5. Call me (or don't). I offer voicemail, email, a contact box on my website, an online appointment request for me to email or call YOU, and a Facebook page that features private messaging.

6. A professional clinic: please take time soon to check it out for yourself. It's surprisingly quiet for a building right on Main Street.

THANK YOU ALL! I am so lucky kick off year SEVEN as your five star massage therapist!

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

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

TODAY ONLY: save 10 percent from 10am to 10pm

TODAY ONLY: save 10% on when you spend $75 or more: 

• Offer applies to all regular priced gift certificates and is automatically applied.
• Offer is valid from 10:00am to 10:00pm Central Time.

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

The hardest part of my job:

I hate hearing about bad massages! Here are two stories:1. Couples massage gone wrong.
2. Olive oil used as an emollient.

1. Couples massage gone wrong.

• On Tuesday, a man contacted me about getting a spa package for his wife for Valentine's Day. I also offer back-to-back sessions, so I asked if he also wanted a massage.

• Not no... hell no! He's never getting another massage! He had an uncomfortable experience at a local establishment during a couples massage. Rather than attack the facility (I've never even been there), I shared with him the gist of yesterday's post: three steps I take to keep clients relaxed.

2. Olive oil used as an emollient.

• A woman recently redeemed a Christmas gift certificate. She asked me over the phone if I used "greasy" oils. Apparently two local massage therapists have used olive oil on her skin, and she did not care for the texture (apparently she felt quite greasy).
• In the treatment room, I set out four professional-grade creams and let her choose: lavender, unscented, muscle therapy, or green tea. I alo removed most of the cream with a steamed towel. I am so happy she decided to get a massage, and I am even happier that she plans to return!

It is very important to establish a line of communication well before the client enters the treatment room and keep it open after the massage has ended. Last March, I wrote about creating the best massage in three steps, and to this day it's the most popular post on this blog.

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

Three ways I keep my clients relaxed:

The words "relax," "relaxing," and "relaxed" are always popping up in my five star client reviews. Here are three things I do to keep my clients relaxed:

1. Communication
2. Concentration
3. Isolation

Communication 

Before a massage, I ask every client to tell me what's going on. I do not interrupt. I may ask a few questions before offering a customized session, and I keep the line of communication open by checking in with clients during a session.

Concentration

During a session, I am constantly repeating two steps that I call "monitor and adjust." It means: 1) observe how muscle tissue reacts to a technique and 2) continue or try something else (like a t-bar). I am totally focused on what I am doing throughout the massage.

Isolation 

My Main Street location is quiet! It's set back from the road in a building near two chiropractors. It's quiet every day, but I also play relaxing music to help clients escape for an hour or two.

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients five 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