How to Schedule a Prental Massage and Skin Treatment

We are happy to accept clients at all stages of pregnancy and offer montlhy, trimester, and single session packages. 

BABY REGISTRY: send our contact information to your party hostess or planner. Any unused prenatal sessions from your package can be used as early as six weeks post-partum.

Most health care providers encourage patients to get a massage without restriction, but you may have a condition or special need. Check first.

Let us know how far along you are when you set up your first appointment. When you arrive, there is plenty of time to use the restroom, get comfortable, and discuss your goals. We generally position clients in the same way they sleep. We try to ensure the techniques used are comfortable and check in with clients during the session. 

You may fall asleep. That's 100% okay. The baby (or your therapist) will wake you!

If you have questions, please give us a call. The most common questions are related to restrictions (in case of hot stones, we may offer a hydrating skin, foot, or scalp treatment). Our massage therapist has worked on pregnant clients since 2006 (prior to licensure, she perfomed massage as a student in clinic as well as on her pregnant instructors). Our skin therapist has training in adapting a facial and skin treatment to prenatal clients and practiced as a nurse for nearly two decades prior to joining our staff.

Whether you're looking for Valentine's Packages, multi-session treatments, stocking stuffers, office gifts, or a single session to see just what the buzz is about: give us a call or visit our website.

Need a personalized gift certificate instantly? SHOP ONLINE.

• SCHEDULE BY PHONE: (618) 392-4400
• SCHEDULE ONLINE
• SEND A SKIN GIFT CERTIFICATE

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

 

OLNEY SKIN CARE & MASSAGE CLINIC 604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-4400 /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

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

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