Three FREE massage techniques to practice at home.

Greetings! I hope you've checked off the names on your "nice" list. If not: the e-gift shop is open 24/7... even on Christmas Day!


Note: if you experience any pain, please stop! These tips are for healthy clients who want a pick-me-up between regular appointments.

1. HANDS: Simple! Lightly pinch the thumb webbing of your left hand (between your left index finger and left thumb) with your right index finger and right thumb. Pinch a little more if you're up for it! (I like to add a few deep breaths: exhale as you pinch, holding for 4-5 seconds and release). Follow up by massaging each finger: place your right thumb and index finger at the bottom knuckle of each left finger and work down to the fingertip. Repeat 2-3 times.
2. NECK: Tilt your chin down and turn your head to the right. Make your left hand into a half-open fist. Your fingers should be loosely curved (not rigid). Place them on the left side of your neck (no need for a lot of pressure here). Avoid lifting the fingertips from your neck: let your fingers slightly drag down the side of your neck and toward your left shoulder. Repeat but this time add small circles with your fingertips. Start with just enough pressure needed to pet an unfamiliar cat (ha!), adding more as desired. Repeat on right side.
3. BACK: You'll need a partner for this (if you do a good job, maybe your partner will return the favor!). Take those curved fingers you've been perfecting and place them between your loved one's shoulder blade and spine. Remember those small circles in #1? Make them a bit bigger. Most people can handle a little more pressure. Ask for feedback!

I am so grateful for your loyalty, referrals, reviews, and gift certificates (new record!). With all of this growth, I'm happy to take a few days off after Christmas to get ready for 2014. Remember: the clinic will be closed Dec. 25-30th.

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

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

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

Avoiding disaster: my first senior client had a "surprise" blood clot

Happy Senior Citizens Day!

I wanted to kill my first senior client. Or at least I may have tried to kill her (on accident, of course). She was a real sweetheart, but she left out a major detail of her health history.

I felt like a proud peacock when she told me I was doing such a great job. She had several massages by other therapists, but she was new to me. I usually ask for feedback 2-3 times during a client's first session. She asked for a little more pressure. No problem!

She was thrilled. Apparently other therapists would not work as deep as I did "on account of the blood clot." WHAT! She either meant to tell me or didn't think it was important.

(Hint: it's important. I almost dropped her leg.)

Since then, I've completed specialized training to cater to the senior crowd. I use Comfort Touch techniques (a type of gentle bodywork for hospice, hospital, and healthcare settings). It's great because it allows me to do something completely different in adapting to seniors whose joints and muscles don't move the way they used to.

My office is accessible to clients with disabilities. I also use special equipment to accommodate the senior crowd. They have a special place in my heart as well as on my table.

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

French toast, eggs, and three tools for de-stressing on National Relaxation Day

Pro tip: if a child misses the bus, bring him straight to school and sign him in.
DO NOT STOP FOR FRENCH TOAST AND EGGS. 

This back-to-school "adventure" happened in the fall of 2008. My sister was pregnant with twins, and I offered to help out for a few weeks (close to her delivery date).

Her five-year-old son was entering kindergarten. "I'm happy to help, Sis."
I thought, "How hard can it be to get a kid on the school bus every day?"

Alarm clock? Check. Clothes, crayons, jumbo backpack? Check. Picture order form? What time does the bus leave? Where did that order form go? Wait, does it need a signature? No, you can't wear your pajamas. Oh, no. The bus just left.

I thought it would be okay to make a morning of it. I was wrong! In my defense, the downtime was so much fun... and the French toast was delicious.

Next year the twins enter kindergarten. I'll be at the massage clinic.

--Cynthia


PS HAPPY NATIONAL RELAXATION DAY. 
No time or money to get a massage? Try these FREE relaxation resources:

1. FREE 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minute meditations from Calm.com
2. FREE facial massage at-home tutorial from Olney Massage
3. FREE neck stretch videos from InjuryFix

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

Facial Acupressure: seven steps to the perfect massage

Greetings! This post is for clients as well as massage therapists.

FYI: if you're not sure which areas of the face to touch or avoid on your face, please ask a licensed massage therapist or esthetician. We're here to help!

INTRO TO FACIAL MASSAGE TECHNIQUES 
(based on the clinic's 25min facial massage)

Follow this step-by-step guide at home or work. It only takes a few minutes and no special equipment. I offer a few upgrades like Dead Sea mud and steamed towels at the clinic, but these basic techniques are still quite relaxing. Bonus: I've seen clients get relief from headaches, stress, and sinus pressure. 

TIME: 3-30 minutes

SUPPLIES: quiet room, very short fingernails, light lotion (or none)

1. NECK: begin with gentle neck stretches and static (non-moving) positions. My clients lie on the massage table, but you can do this seated on the couch or at a desk.

• Place one hands are each side of the neck, moving slower towards the head. Why slower? Slow breathing is relaxed breathing. My hands literally take the weight off the client's shoulders! 

2. EARS: I sink my fingertips into the skin behind the client's ears and make small, tight circles. 

• Point at the skin using a 90-degree angle. Do not lift fingers from the skin. Note: it takes practice, so don't worry if you can't get it right the first time.

3. JAW, NECK, and FOREHEAD: I make slow, deliberate circles behind the ear. I use fingertips and move down the jawline (ears to chin).

• At home: using fingertips, focus on small areas. At the chin, relax your hands and use very light pressure to glide down the neck. Avoid a "tickling" feeling by keeping contact all the way down the neck. Return to the chin, re-straighten your fingers and continue making small circles up the jawline towards the forehead.

4. FACE: This is where my fingertips are for about 1/4 of the clinic session. 

• If you are not familiar with acupressure points, you may simply massage the face with a light touch. This should be relaxing, not painful! 

5. SCALP: use a slow, gentle "shampoo" motion all over the scalp.

6. REPEAT: at the clinic, I allow 20-30 minutes for a facial massage. Once I've massaged a client's face, neck, and scalp, I return to the neck and shoulders for a more detailed version of the warmup using kneading, stretching, gliding, and other therapy techniques. 

• At home: steps 1-5 could take as little as three minutes. Feel free to repeat the steps 2-3 times. You may practice on loved ones (always start with light pressure).

7. What makes the clinic session worthy of five stars? I've been offering facial massage since 2007 when I was a student in the SIC massage therapy clinic and program. My "routine" is a bit more polished, especially after training in Boston earlier this year. I currently offer three upgrades: oil-free moisturizer, Dead Sea mud, and steamed towels. There are a number of techniques that I couldn't fit into this 790-word post, so please ask if you'd like to know more.

CLINIC SERVICE: It's very detailed, but it's short enough to be a good "intro" clinic visit. No disrobing. No greasy creams. Just relaxation for 25 minutes. (schedule)

Enjoy! Please let me know if you find this guide helpful, want to experience a five star massage appointment, or just have quick question. I'm here to help. 

See you soon! -Cynthia

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:

OLNEY MASSAGE

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

 http://olneymassage.com

Spot the difference: Facebook edition

The clinic is officially "Olney Massage" on Facebook. Same five-star massage therapy. Same location. Just a new, easy-to-remember name.

Coming soon: OPEN HOUSE! 

Soon we'll have a special day just for YOU to stop by and see the clinic. Of course, we're available by appointment if you simply can't wait that long.

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:

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