Does your back, shoulder, or foot hurt? It could be your glutes!

GLUTEAL MUSCLE GROUP: overview
Did you know: your glutes can cause pain in the low back, shoulders, or even feet?

The gluteal muscle group is important because it is activated (contracted) any time we lift, walk, stand... most of the actions we do require activation of the gluteal muscle group.

• Gluteus maximus - large muscle that moves hip and thigh, shapes our posterior
• Gluteus medius - fan-shaped muscle under maximus, stabilizes our walking gait
• Gluteus minimus - smallest of the group, sits deep below and assists medius

Why should the gluteal muscle group should be massaged? This group connects the upper and lower body. It also stabilize our pelvis and spine.

In a therapeutic massage, your massage therapist will drape only the area (s)he is working on while massaging the gluteal muscle group, taking care not to expose the gluteal cleft. This type of work can either be done at the same time your therapist massages your legs or your low back. Some gluteal massage techniques requires the knee to be partially or completely flexed (bent), while other techniques may be done while the client lies flat or on his/her side.

If you are unable or unwilling to receive this type of massage, your therapist may also perform hip stretching or pressure on your gluteal muscle group while you are draped (sheet is intact, not pulled away). These options are ideal for shorter massage sessions.

This area is a potential source of hip dysfunction because if the right or left (or both) groups are not activating properly, our bodies will compensate by changing the way we move. It might feel okay for a while, but most clients will eventually experience discomfort in your upper and/or lower body.

We take appointments from 10am to 8pm on weekdays.
SEND GIFTS & SCHEDULE: http://olneymassage.com

Cynthia Given, LMT
604 West Main Street
Olney, IL 62450

LADIES NIGHT at the Holiday (5pm-8pm)

YOU'RE INVITED! (rsvp here)

WHO: Ladies (and guests)
WHAT: Meet and greet with area businesses
WHEN: 5pm-8pm on Tuesday, February 25th
WHERE: The Holiday (map)
WHY: To have fun, of course!

Can't make it? Schedule your massage here. See you soon!

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

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

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

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

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:

3-for-$109 this week only!

NEW CLIENTS: choose from relaxation, deep tissue, or NEW integrated therapy massages.

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

Limited offer - 3 massages for $99

This is a limited offer: just 5 available!


This offer includes: your choice of three sampler massages (relaxation, deep tissue, Swedish, or NEW integrated therapy). Great for new or current clients on a budget or anyone who loves a sale!




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

PS Multi-packs always available on my website.

Cynthia Helps Runner Chris Nicholas Recover During His Trek Across America

Chris Nicholas from Pace Per Mile stopped in Olney yesterday on his cross-country run. He also stopped by for a massage from yours truly! 

He called his session "fantastic," but I call it necessary. He said he'll likely run a few hundred miles before his next massage session. Wow!

I was honored to assist Chris in recovering before his 40-mile run to Salem. Check out his interview with the Olney Daily Mail for more about his adventure. He told me just 265 runners have completed this cross-country run. He'll be #266!

• A note on recovery massage: it's the "sweet" spot for athletes to rest and recharge between events. If a massage is too light, deep adhesions often don't get adequately addressed... but if it's too deep, the body is too sore to perform the next day. Recovery massage is used by many amateur and nearly all professional athletes as part of a balanced self care regimen.

Most people never drive across the country, let alone run across it! Good skill to Chris as he travels through southern Illinois (and on to the Pacific Ocean!).

• Check out Pace Per Mile on Facebook
• Check out Pace Per Mile endurance radio
• Check out Chris' running website (updated daily)

PS I also massage athletes who just run across town, not across the country!

Cynthia Given, LMT (618) 392-3800

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

 http://olneymassage.com