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My Massage with Nicholas Marrs

September 20, 2020 admin Leave a comment Massage Review

My Massage with Nick Marrs

July 2019

Overall Experience

I was very comfortable being in his space. He is a great person intent on improving himself and continuing to learn new things about massage therapy.

 5/5

Making the Appointment

He has online booking and is also approachable for any questions

 5/5

Parking and Arrival Instructions

Parking is easy. His building has a parking lot attached. Once parked, you enter the building and find his suite.

 5/5

The Pre-Massage Interview

Nick is very easy to talk to, and you know he cares about giving you a great massage experience. However, I did request more time spent on my lower back and I think it may have slipped his mind, or we should have discussed further what I was really expecting as far as what I wanted for my lower back. Maybe he did spend more time on it than he normally does, but it was different from my expectation. I should have been more clear.

 5/5

The Massage

I appreciate the amount of pressure Nick provides as well as his pacing.

But I felt he was a little too aware of my breathing – it seemed every deep breath I took made him pause and wait for me to exhale. That made me feel self-conscious about how I was breathing.

When I turned over to be face-up, we left the sheet over my face. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to leave it like that or not. It’s not something I had ever experienced before, and while I felt silly leaving it over my face, I decided it was intentional on his part as an effective way for me to not worry about any facial expressions and cover my eyes.

His draping is very secure and I particularly enjoyed his leg and neck work on me. I found the music to be a bit on the boring side, but this is when I was really focusing on music in sessions and I’m not sure I would still think that a year later. Overall I really enjoy his work and I hope to see him again.

 5/5

Erin Hennessy and Meredith Grech in front of Body and Soul Wellness

My Massage with Meredith Grech

September 13, 2020 admin Leave a comment Massage Review

My Massage with Meredith Grech

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

Overall Experience

I highly recommend getting a massage from Meredith

 5/5

Making the Appointment

I’m friends with Meredith (we met in 2019 because we both wanted to give chair massages at a Goblin Festival!) so I texted her about when to come in. She doesn’t have an option for scheduling online.

 4/5

Parking & Arrival Instructions

Parking is so easy at Body and Soul Wellness that they don’t even need to address it (see what I did there?). You just have to put the address in your GPS and boom, you can park easily in front of the clearly marked door and walk right on in.

 5/5

The Pre-Massage Interview

I really loved that she sat down to ask me how I’m doing and talk about what I want out of the session. Sitting down allowed me to settle into the space and unwind from driving over.

 5/5

The Massage

Meredith’s massage style is calm, gentle, and centering. She’s into energy work and Reiki, which comes through in a regular massage session.

 5/5

Follow-up

Meredith texted me a few days later asking how I felt.

 5/5

How the session went

I made the appointment about a week in advance. Two or three days before the appointment, I strained my left hamstrings, likely due to dancing without stretching first. I texted her the day before to let her know I was going to need her to focus on that area.

Tip:

I appreciate when clients book ahead and answer intake questions ahead of time. Why?

I always want to provide the best experience for my client, which can mean doing some homework ahead of time. For example, I haven’t been asked to treat Tennis Elbow in 10 years. If a client needs me to focus on that issue, I want to dig through my resources and find a good treatment protocol rather than relying on very dusty memories.

If you’d like to know what courses I have taken throughout my massage career, click the link below.

Meredith asked what I’ve been doing that might have caused the strain to my hamstring, and I told her about my new crush on The Fitness Marshall. I mean, look at that video. I spent 5 hours one night trying to get the choreography for his Dua Lipa Break My Heart routine. Over the next several days, I did many other Caleb Marshall videos and even bought a Nintendo Switch and started playing Just Dance. That’s where I really messed up. It was an entirely new experience for me and in my excitement I forgot to stretch. I also put less attention on my body as I frantically tried to keep up with the game. Always. Remember. Your. Body!

She asked me to start face up so the heat from her table warmer could penetrate my low back and hamstrings. Unfortunately, the bolster prevented the heat from getting to my hamstrings. I should have said something.

Clients: Do not forget to speak up!

I started my massage training when I was 17. That was a very long time ago. And yet I *still* feel strange about speaking up. So I totally understand your hesitation to ask for any sort of correction from your therapist.

But your therapist is just another person. I promise! I’m not a goddess, and Meredith isn’t a goddess. I know, it’s really hard to believe that if you’ve ever gotten bodywork from us. But if something doesn’t seem quite right, you should *ALWAYS* speak up.

I have a hard time following my own advice

I didn’t speak up about the heat being obstructed by the bolster and not reaching my hamstrings. Meredith did great work while I was supine, then we switched to the prone position, with my face in the face cradle. Again, I was shy about speaking up. I took my mask off and let her put it with my belongings. Not long after that, I started having a hard time with breathing through the face cradle. Instead of just asking for my mask back like a normal person and putting my head to the side, I tried to relax into a sort of shallow breathing. It didn’t work, and frankly, it was dumb. It’s dumb to feel shy about asking your therapist to accommodate you.

The End

I did finally ask for the mask, and of course she happily handed it to me.

After the wonderful massage, I explored the Asian businesses down the road from Body & Soul Wellness. Her location is so fun! There are so many interesting places to check out before or after your massage.

Go check her out and let me know what you think!

What to Expect for Your First Massage

September 6, 2020 admin Leave a comment Opinion

Your First Massage!

A massage is intended to be a calm and relaxing experience. But if it’s your first massage, you may feel a little trepidation. Don’t let that hold you back. With a little information about what to expect, you’ll walk into your first massage feeling like a confident pro!

Expect Communication

Expect a lot of questions at your first massage appointment. I’ll need to know a little bit about your health history and what your goals are for that session.

When you book an appointment, you’ll get a confirmation email with several questions that I will need to have answered before our massage. You can answer them online (preferably) or we can go over them in person. I require just 4 of the most important questions before you can even book your massage, since I don’t want to bother repeat clients with the same somewhat lengthy questionnaire every time they schedule.

Your clear and honest answers will help perform the best massage possible for you.

We’ll talk about why you’re coming in for a massage and what your goals are for the session. Are you having pain? Do you need to relax?

I’ll show you the massage room and walk you through the process. We’ll decide what to prioritize and how you should lay on the table (face up or face down, or on your side) before the massage.

Expect to Dress or Undress to Your Level of Comfort

What does that mean exactly? Many people worry about having to be undressed for their massage.

Most massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, what you wear is entirely up to you. Simply put: you can leave your underwear on or take them off. I tend to have a more Esalen style approach to massage, which means I will often undrape the side of the body and do gliding strokes from the shoulder to the foot without breaking contact. Since underwear would break the contact for that particular movement, I tend to take it as a hint from the client that they want a more conservative approach to their massage, whether or not that is the case.

I’ll leave the room so you may undress, get on the massage table (it’s super-cozy), and get comfortable under the draping sheet & blanket.

Movies and TV shows always show massage clients naked on a table with just a tiny towel for draping. That’s not what real massage draping looks like! I use sheets that cover your whole body. You’ll stay covered throughout the massage, I’ll only undrape the part of your body that I am massaging right then.

Expect More Communication

When I come back into the room, I’ll help you get comfortable with pillows or bolsters. Don’t be afraid to adjust and fidget as needed during the massage to stay cozy.

It’s great if you can let your body relax and sink into the table. If I need to move your arms or legs, etc, I’ll do the work! This takes practice, you’ll probably try to help me. I’ll remind you. I usually try to remind you nonverbally by jostling your joints so your body has no option but to relax. If you remain tense, I’ll check in and see if I’m causing you pain with whatever movement I’m asking of your body.

It’s really important for you to tell me if any massage techniques I use cause pain. Pain is not okay. There may be a certain level of discomfort and ‘good ache’ if we’re working on a problem area. It’s important that you tell me about that, too, so we can tailor the massage to be most effective without causing injury.

I’ll check in with you as we go, but please speak up if you become too warm or too cool, if you are not comfortable on the table, or need another pillow, or if you just hate the music!

I’ll tell you when the massage is over and leave the room so you can slowly get up and dressed.

Expect Some Final Instructions

You should expect to feel mellow and relaxed after your massage. Keep things simple for yourself by not bringing in anything extra and not having to be anywhere right after your massage. I’ve had clients forget their wallets and even their shoes!

We’ll talk about how you feel and I may show you some self care stretches or share some tips to keep you feeling great between appointments. We can also talk about how frequently you may want to get massage to keep on feeling great.

If we addressed pain issues, you may immediately feel a reduction in pain, or it may take a day or two before you feel that relief.

You can make the most of your first massage by knowing what to expect and asking all the questions you like so you can feel cozy before, during and after the massage. See you at your first massage!

Calf Muscles 101: What You Need to Know

August 26, 2020 admin Leave a comment Advice

Calf Muscles 101: What You Need to Know

It’s a beautiful day on the tennis court.

You’re up 45-15, and the ball comes sailing across the net, perfectly aimed for you to return the shot.

You gracefully (of course) lunge to the right to return the ball and…..feel searing pain in your lower leg.

Calf muscles. We all have shapely bits of flesh tacked onto our lower legs, and maybe some of you even spend time in the gym sculpting them into a more pleasing form.

But what do the calves DO, why do they hurt so much sometimes, and how can we treat calf injury and prevent problems from recurring?

What are the calf muscles?

Calf muscles are certainly not the largest muscles in our body. But they manipulate two joints and keep us standing, walking, running, jumping, and dancing. It’s a tall order for a seemingly small group of muscles.

Our legs and feet take a beating every day, and calf injury and dysfunction is common and can keep us laid up for extended periods.

But exactly what makes up our calves?

Calf anatomy

The calf is the back portion of the lower leg and consists of three main structures:

Gastrocnemius muscle: This is the muscle we think of when we think about the calf. It’s the larger muscle on the back of the lower leg that provides the rounded shape.

Soleus muscle: Soleus is a flat muscle (shaped like a fillet of sole) located beneath the gastroc.

Achilles tendon: The gastroc and soleus merge together and transition into the achilles tendon. The achilles tendon then attaches to the main heel bone.

Why is it called the calf?

If you are at all like me, you’re not thinking, “That’s interesting. Thanks for the information.” Instead you’re thinking “Where the heck does it get its name, then, if none of the structures that make it up have the word “calf” in it?”

Full disclosure…I had to look this up, but still couldn’t find a definitive answer.

Apparently, the word “calf,” in reference to the back of the lower leg, appears as far back as the 14th century and is derived from the Old Norse “kalfi” and possibly related to the Irish Gaelic word “calpa.”

As to why it’s called a calf, there doesn’t seem to be a consensus. Some argue that the shape of the muscle resembles a young calf (the animal). Another idea is that it’s related to being a separate, smaller version of a whole (akin to an iceberg broken off of a glacier).

How’s that for a non-specific answer? Moving on…

Full disclosure…I had to look this up, but still couldn’t find a definitive answer.

How’s that for a non-specific answer? Moving on…

Affected joints

Calf muscles cross both the knee and ankle joints.

Gastroc starts above the knee joint and ends at the achilles. It affects the knee (bends the knee) and ankle (lifts the heel).

Soleus starts on the lower leg and ends at the achilles. It affects the ankle (lifts the heel).

The achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and connects the calf muscles to the foot so we can walk (and jump, and dance, and run). It transfers all the power of the calf muscles to the foot.

Types of calf pain

Pain in the calf can range from dull soreness to constant throbbing to sharp and searing depending on the cause.

Calf injuries are very common and can be a result of accident, injury, overuse, or other medical reasons. But injuries aren’t limited to sports-related activity or accidents. Tight calves due to lack of stretching can also cause a large amount of discomfort and affect our ability to do the things we like to do!

Common Calf Injuries

Sometimes, calf pain is the result of a problem with the muscle or tendon itself, and other times calf pain is a side effect of another problem.

MUSCLE/TENDON INJURIES

Calf strain
Plantar fasciitis(pain in the bottom of the foot)
Achilles tendonitis
Charley horse/cramp
Bruise/trauma

NON MUSCULAR CAUSES OF CALF PAIN

Blood clot
Baker’s cyst
Arthritis
Nerve pain

When should I see a doctor for calf pain?

Seek medical attention if there was no obvious event that caused your pain or you do not know the recommended treatment. Sudden onset of pain without warning or unusual symptoms is always a cause for concern.

Some medical conditions like diabetes or cancer can cause calf pain, so always contact your doctor if symptoms begin or increase without warning.

Calf pain treatment

Rest

The first (and often very effective, not to mention cheap!) treatment for almost any injury is to rest the area. Don’t use the muscle and allow time for the inflammation to subside. A rest period may also include ice, elevation, or a therapy tool like a boot depending on the nature of the injury.

Stretching

Calf muscles are typically over stressed and under stretched. Along with massage, daily stretching can help to provide big relief! The good news is that stretching your calves only takes a few minutes and can be done while watching TV or waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.

Massage therapy

If you suffer from consistently tight or sore calf muscles, stretching alone often isn’t enough to keep it at bay. In addition to stretching, you can use a stick roller or foam roller to massage your calves.

But often the most effective approach is treatment by a massage therapist. I’ll be able to get at the muscles from all angles as well as release tension in the surrounding leg muscles. I can often do this in a much less painful and more relaxing way than if you used a foam roller.

This means a more balanced treatment and longer-lasting relief.

Physical therapy

PT is often appropriate for severe issues like an achilles tendon tear or chronic sports-related issues. Physical therapy can help identify patterns of weakness or overcompensation and teach you more productive patterns of movement so you can avoid injury in the future. Massage therapy is often used in conjunction with physical therapy to help address surrounding tightness and help to move inflammation out of the affected area.

Need help with calf pain?

I’d love to help you manage that pesky calf pain and get you back in the swing of things again pain free. Set it up here.