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

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

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

Pediatric massage: benefits for a client with ADHD

This post is about a little guy who was VERY happy to enjoy some time on my table on Sunday afternoon:

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 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

Outstanding job! New FIVE STAR client review.

NOTE: This client enjoyed a sampler massage. Click to enjoy three sampler sessions at a special rate in honor of Massage Therapy Awareness Week. Offer ends 10/27.

★ ☆ ✰ ★ ☆ ✰ FIFTY STARS ✰ ☆ ★ ✰ ☆ ★ 

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

Client Rating	Service Scheduled
5 / 5 stars	Sampler Session

Client Review: "Outstanding job!"

• "Gives an excellent massage!!!!! Very relaxing environment and does an amazing job with getting knots out."

Celebrate massage therapy awareness week with a pack of three sampler massages for just $109 (reg. $150). Choose from relaxation, deep tissue, or integrated therapy sessions. Ends 10/27.

Click here to purchase this special offer for yourself or a loved one.


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

I've beaten the odds (thanks to you!)

Dearest clients,
I owe you a note of gratitude: you have helped me beat the odds.

You have chosen to receive massages and spa treatments with me over the past five years, and I look forward to seeing you on my table in the next five years.

Tuesday is my fifth anniversary of operating my massage business in Olney.

Five years is an important milestone for new massage therapists (the average MT career is only a few years long, sometimes less than five years total). I truly love what I do, and I am happy to have so many loyal clients.

I look forward to seeing you on my table in the next five years.

Thank you for your support! 

PS I only have 3 openings left next week. See you soon!


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

Client Review: "I'd never go anywhere else."

Client Rating	Service Scheduled
5 / 5 stars	Integrated Therapy - 90 minutes

Client Review: "Awesome massage"

• "As always, Cindy gives the greatest massages! She's very responsive to her clients, leading to just the right amount of pressure. I felt so much better afterward. I'd never go anywhere else."

If you're looking for a relaxing massage with moderate pressure, but you have "knots" like this client, select one of the new integrated therapy options. The pressure is deep when necessary while allowing the client to totally relax.

You may even fall asleep! Choose from 60, 75, or 90 minute session lengths.
Not sure which option to choose? Click here for more popular packages.

See you soon!
-Cynthia

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

18% Education discount

Save BIG in August!

Teachers, students, and staff: enjoy any massage or spa session 75min, 90min, or 120min long until August 31st and receive an 18% discount.


Scheduling online? Use code 18EDU. See you soon!

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

 Don't miss another special offer!

SALE Christmas in July

Sampler massage sessions are the perfect "anytime" massage!
Two options:

• 3 samplers for $99
• 1 sampler for $39

Sampler sessions are 40 minutes long. 

These massages are customizable and include relaxation, deep tissue, or integrated therapy on either your upper or lower body. Reserve your five star massage up to 90 days in advance using the online scheduling feature below. See you soon!

Cynthia Given, LMT

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

 http://olneymassage.com

Client Review: "Best Way to Relax"

Note: This review comes from a longtime client. Here's what she had to say about her latest session:

Client Rating	Service Scheduled
5 / 5 stars	Integrated Therapy - 60 minutes

Client Review: "The Best Way to Relax"

"Well... I basically fell asleep I was so comfortable :) Perfect amount of pressure and she is good at getting all the knots out. I'll go back again and again."

If you're looking for a relaxing massage with moderate pressure, but you have "knots" like this client, select one of the new integrated therapy options. The pressure is deep when necessary while allowing the client to totally relax.

You may even fall asleep! Choose from 60, 75, or 90 minute session lengths.
Not sure which option to choose? Click here for more popular packages.

See you soon!
-Cynthia

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

Online scheduling will be offline tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow's downtime is part of a planned maintenance period. You may still contact me 24/7 via email or voicemail: 392-3800. Note: tomorrow is my birthday... so I may not immediately reply.

Maintenance - no online scheduling: 
2:00am-5:00am Monday, June 4

Cynthia Given, LMT

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

 http://olneymassage.com

NEW Summer hours for massage and spa treatments in Olney, Illinois

Greetings, old and new clients.
Here's my summer schedule. See you soon!

• Sunday 12:30p-4:30p 
• Tuesday 9:30a-7:00p
• Wednesday 9:30a-4:30p 
• Thursday: 9:30a-7:00p
• Friday: 9:30a-7:00p

To schedule, please leave a voicemail at 392-3800 or click the "BookNow" button to schedule 24/7:

Cynthia Given, LMT

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

 http://olneymassage.com

ENDS TOMORROW! Save 15% on all online orders.

 Ends tomorrow! Save 15% on ALL online orders until 10am Monday.

Cynthia Given, LMT

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

 http://olneymassage.com

TODAY ONLY! Save 25% on gift certificates.

 TODAY ONLY! Save 25% on ALL instant gifts of $75 or more.

Cynthia Given, LMT

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

 http://olneymassage.com