5 Ways to Make Massage More Affordable

I know that I am expensive. I also know that I'm worth it. I've spent almost 20 years perfecting my craft. I'm constantly asked questions like; "How are you able to keep doing this after so many years?" and "Don't your hands and wrists hurt?" 

I am able to keep working because I take care of my body by not massaging more than 20 hours a week (usually only around 15), and taking good care of my arms, wrists and hands. They still hurt but I can keep working. 

Ahhhh, and as an FYI, those amazing Groupon and Living Social deals are actually illegal for massage therapists. Healthcare professionals are not allowed to give a percentage to another entity in return for business. It's considered a "spiff."

Now that we've covered the 'why' of massage being so expensive... Here are 5 ways to make it more affordable for you.

1. Use your Health Savings Account. Yes, it really does cover massage and you aren't paying taxes on the money that will make you healthier.
2. Check your health insurance plan. Many plans cover massage especially in states that require licensure. Be aware, you will need a prescription from a healthcare professional and it must be medically necessary. If a massage therapist is covered by your insurance, they will most likely have to be listed in the preferred provider section on the company's web site.
3. Buy a package. At Massage Therapy Olympia I offer several packages with discounts for prepaying sessions. These sessions never expire so, you can use them over several months of years.
4. Barter. The bartering system is wonderful and alive and well. You don't know until you ask. I stink at gardening and have thought more than once about putting up a sign offering to work for fresh organic vegetables. 
5. Ask for gift certificates. Massage makes a perfect gift for anyone. Why not put it on your wish list?

Give some of these ideas a try and start on the path to being pain free and relaxed.

5 Reasons Massage Will Work For You

I hate to say it but, "Welcome to the pop-a-pill culture!"

Between long days at the office, taxiing the kids, housework, the gym, and being a weekend warrior there isn't much time left for you. Your shoulders ache, your low back is on fire and you can't sleep. So, you make an appointment to see your Doctor hoping for the magic bullet to get you through the day. You sit in the waiting room for half an hour. The chairs are horrible. Finally, the nurse calls you and you move to the treatment room where you sit for another half hour at the end of that uncomfortable table. Not sure if you should lie down or try to remain upright. Finally, the doctor comes in, talks to you for 5 minutes and writes you a prescription for muscle relaxers and Vicodin. Whoot! You are on your way but at what cost?

I'm not saying that muscle relaxers and pain relievers don't have their place. They absolutely do. What I'm saying is that you just spent over an hour at your PCP's office getting drugs that are potentially addictive, cause dehydration and make you drowsy but you have only treated the symptoms and not accessed the cause. Drugs should be looked at as a temporary fix to get you over the acute phase.

In the hour that you spent getting pills, you could have been cradled in warm sheets, listened to relaxing music and drifted into a state of bliss. You could have relaxed for an hour in comfort at Massage Therapy Olympia. You could have started fixing the problem. Here are 5 reasons that massage will work for you.

1. Pain Relief - Massage relieves pain. It's that simple. It does so by helping to block the pain receptors in the nervous system. Studies by the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the Touch Institute of Miami, the Mayo Clinic and many more have all recognized that massage significantly reduces pain.
2. Relaxation - Our busy lives don't lend much time for R&R. Stress adds to muscle tension. You can see this for yourself by being conscious. Next time life gets to you, go to the nearest mirror and look at how your shoulders just became a set of matching earrings. Massage relaxes the muscles but it also works on the entire nervous system, reducing tension and restoring a sense of calm. It has also been proven to lower blood pressure.
3. Improves Sleep - It is a natural sleep aid. Receiving bodywork increases sleep and disrupts the pain sleep cycle. In recent studies, people receiving back massage not only slept more deeply but slept longer.
4. Increased Circulation - By pushing on the surface of the body, the deeper layers of muscles, veins and arteries are affected moving the blood through the tissue. When the blood delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissue, the tissue is better able to heal itself.
5. Decrease Edema and Swelling - By stimulating the lymphatic system, fluids causing inflammation and swelling are carried back to the lymph nodes. 

In summation, what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And... you are worth it!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9656043
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/
http://www.mayoclinic.org

Animals in touch

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was filled with animal massage. Large and small. It was nice to be outside in the wonderful weather. Working with animals keeps me grounded. Watching them respond to massage is absolutely magical. Watching the relief after massage therapy is even more magical.

I truly believe that working with animals has been the single biggest asset to being a massage therapist. Removing the language communicator allows me to really "feel" the tissue and sense the change during a massage. Even to the smallest degree. But even more than an acute awareness of touch is the awareness of energy and intention that takes place in a massage. I can often tell where the change in the soft tissue will take place before it begins to yield. I can feel the slightest differences by just running my hands down the spine. It's that intuitive awareness that keep clients coming back. It's that sense of change that facilitates healing.

I welcome you all to breathe and facilitate your own change.

Massage Therapy Olympia
Wendy C Music, LMP
(360)868-7047

Time just gets away

I just looked back and noticed that I haven't written anything since fall. I really stink at remembering that my Massage Therapy Olympia blog is even there. Then, I had to chuckle. The thought struck me that it's probably the same for my clients and getting a massage. It's not that they don't need or want massage therapy, it just that life swoops them up and carries them along. Before you know it, it's been 6 weeks to a year without a massage.

This weekend, the weather was nice. It was Mother's Day and it was my day to do whatever I chose. I chose to dig out and replant a section in our garden. I worked my muscles to the point of shaking but it felt really good and this morning I happily looked at all the hard work that the family pulled together to help make happen. I smile with every pain staking step. Now, it's time for part 2 of my Mother's Day treat. I'm heading out for a massage! It's a shame I can't give myself a massage but there are other wonderful massage therapist in Olympia I trust my aching body to.

I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only weekend plant warrior in the Olympia area. I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one that woke up sore this morning. I'll go one step further... I bet I'm not the only one that would enjoy a massage. If you are one of those afore mentioned people... I just so happen to have a space for you on my table and will treat you with the best massage ever. Call Wendy at (360)868-7047 to make an appointment. See you soon!

Wendy Music, Licensed Massage Practitioner, has been a massage therapist since 1996. Her work with animals has given her a deeply intuitive, sense of touch when it comes to massage and healing. If you would like to experience Wendy's work, please call the number above or visit her website at www.massagetherapyolympia.com

Welcome Fall

After a busy summer, I finally feel like I am settling into my new office. I love the location and the off-street parking is a huge bonus. It's also easier to regulate the temperature. That's a huge bonus to, you, my clients.

In honor of Massage Therapy Awareness week at the end of October. I am running several package specials. Take a look at the October Newsletter for all the details. There is also an interesting study of the effects of massage on low-back pain included in the news letter.

I will be posting weekly specials on Massage Therapy Olympia's Facebook page. Be sure to "like" the page to keep up to date on the specials.

Happy Fall and Stay warm,

Wendy

The Big Move

If you haven't already heard, MTO will be moving to a new location at 1017 4th Ave E on July 1, 2011. This was a huge decision for me since I've only been at my current location 5 months. I really didn't want to move but I do believe that the decision to change locations was in the best interest of MTO and it's clients.

As many of you may or may not know, Fish Brewing Company is no longer a locally owned company. It has been bought out by a large corporation based in Seattle. With that buy-out has come lots of growth, change, loss of parking and noise. To such a large company, I'm just a little fish (ha, ha) and I was feeling like I was about to be gobbled up. I didn't want to end up in the same situation as the Loft on Cherry so I began my search for a better location. I found it, dove in and swam to the safer area of the pond.

I sincerely hope that all of my clients understand my reason for moving. I feel like we will all be more comfortable and stable in the new office. It's much quieter and there is ample off street parking. It's also much easier to find. Thank you all for your patience and understanding.

Wendy Music, LMP
Massage Therapy Olympia

Getting the most from your next massage

   In these times of economic uncertainty, it's important that you get the most for your money. At Massage Therapy Olympia, I want you to get the most from your massage session. So, to help you on your massage journey, I'm listing some helpful hints.

• Arrive at your appointment a few minutes early. If you arrive exactly at your scheduled appointment time or 5 minutes after, that's less hands on time on the table that you receive. It also causes me to run late for other clients that are scheduled after you.
• Turn off your cell phone. When you set your phone to vibrate, you can still hear it and it disrupts your relaxation. It's your hour of relaxation. Unplug and enjoy.
• Give a thorough and accurate health intake and notify me of any changes in your health.
• Let me know of any changes you have noticed between appointments. Be sure to communicate what you liked as well as what you didn't like from your session.
• If talking or music is distracting to you, please let me know.
• Provide feedback during your session. Please make sure to discuss any discomforts immediately. This includes pressure, speed of hand movements, areas that you need extra work on, etc.
• Remember that the benefits of massage are cumulative. So, the more frequently you receive massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond.

Have a relaxing day and I'll see you soon for your next massage.

Wendy