Massage Monday : what to expect

As an LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) and lover of massage, I have been in hundreds of massages.  Knowing what to do, both as a client and a therapist, is second nature to me.  It is easy to forget that not everyone who walks into my treatment room is as well-versed as I am in the world of massage.  When you are a stranger in the world of massage, you might not know what to expect.  In todays edition of Massage Monday, we'll be going over what you should expect before, after and during a professional massage.

When you walk into a spa (or massage center or when a therapist enters your home/work/hotel...etc), you should be greeted warmly and professionally.  You should be made to feel welcome and important...because you are! 

If it is your 1st visit to that spa, you will be given an intake form to fill out.  Intake forms will vary slightly from place to place, but they should all cover the same basic name, phone number, address, email, emergency contact, service desired, health issues, areas of tension, health history, and a signed consent.  Most places will have you fill one out on your first visit and then periodically to keep their files up to date.  Some spas, such as Rejuvenating Touch, will have you fill one out each visit.  This is to ensure that each massage is tailored to your specific needs.  The inital intake form will be 1-2 pages long.  Subsequent intake forms are generally shorter.

After you have finished the intake form, the LMT or spa personnel, should show you where the restroom is located and allow you time to use it, if needed, before the session.   The LMT should greet you by name and introduce themselves to you (unless you've already met).

You will then have a consultation with your LMT.  This will either take place in the lounge/waiting area (only if there is only one treatment room) or in the treatment room.  In the consultation, the LMT should confirm with you the modality (type of massage) and duration of the massage you'll be receiving.  The LMT will inform you to disrobe to your comfort level, where you can place your belongings, to take off any jewelry, how you are supposed to lay on the table (face up or face down and which end to lay your head).  They will also go over any pertinent issues on your intake form (health inquiries, tension areas, etc) and ask you if there are any areas you would like focused on or avoided, and outline the massage for you.  This is the time where any questions you might have regarding your massage session should be asked.  The LMT will then leave the room so you may disrobe and get on the table and so that they can wash their hands and prepare for your massage.

Then comes the part you've been waiting for -- the massage!  A basic massage will be full body, scalp, face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet and back.  Some therapist will include upper pecs, abdominals and glutes.  If there are any areas you do not worked on, let your LMT know during the consultation.  This is your massage.  Let the LMT know if you would like them to adjust the pressure or music, get you a blanket or turn on a fan, spend more time anywhere or if something is too tender to be worked on.  Your job during the massage, is simply to relax.  Close your eyes and let your mind float away.  The LMT will let you know if they need you to do anything and when they need you to turn over.  At the end of the massage, the LMT will let you know they are leaving the room, allowing you time to slowly get off the table and redress.

After the massage, the LMT will advise you to up your water intake for the next 24 hours.  They will also go over with you any issues they found, advise you on any stretches that might help you, and give you their card. You will then cash out with the front desk (or the LMT if you are not at a spa).  The price should have been set before you went into session, and written on a brochure or advertisement of some sort.   This is the time to express any grievances or praises of the massage and the LMT, and to book your next session!

I hope this brief tutorial has helped to clarify what you should expect from a massage session.  If there is anything I missed, please leave your question in the comments below or email me at Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com.  Check back next Monday for cell phones & massage.

For more massage info:
 friend us on facebook - Lauren RejuvenatingTouch
like us on facebook - Rejuvenating Touch
follow us on twitter - RejuvTouch
check out our website - RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
email us - Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
or give us a call 727.342.0SPA (772)

Massage Monday Intro

As a Licensed Massage Therapist, I encounter alot of different (sometimes interesting...) people on a daily basis.  I often (mistakenly) assume that everyone has the same knowledge I do..on what it is expected of (and for) you in a massage.  I have to remind myself that before I went to massage school, I had absolutely no knowledge of massage.  I didn't know what to do, or wear, or what to expect.  So in an attempt to enlighten some of you, I will be posting 'Massage Mondays'.  Check back every Monday for massage tips, info and stories!

To experience massage yourself, check out Rejuvenating Touch.

www.RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
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727.342.0SPA

These boots are made for...something

A few months ago, I attended Oldsmar Days.  It was your typical festival...live music, deep fried everything, vendors galore, port-a-potties, long lines at the beer tent.  One of the most entertaining things to do at these festivals (especially the ones in smaller towns) is people-watching.  

Oldsmar Days did not disappoint. 

We stumbled upon this great gem.  I couldn't miss the opportunity for a photo-op.  She had a cowboy hat to match, unfortunately I accidentally deleted the full body shot.  

She makes her own apparel and is somewhat known in the community.  Not surprising considering her flair!  She definitely caught our attention!   Jenn, Des and I felt grossly underdressed.  I didn't have a single sequin or over-sized logo anywhere on my ensemble!   I guess someone forgot to clue me in on festival dress codes...

Check out Jenn's take on free Florida festivals over at Frolicking Flamingo.  Oh, and don't forget to break out your bedazzler before you go to your next festival!

Struggling

I'm struggling.

I'm struggling financially.  I'm struggling emotionally.  I'm struggling physically.  I'm struggling spiritually.  I'm struggling in my career.  I'm struggling to stay afloat.  I'm struggling to maintain my sanity.  I'm struggling to maintain my optimism.

But I have faith.  I have a God who loves me.  A God who is always with me.  A God who will never leave my side.  A God who will carry me when I can no longer walk...and I'm just about there.

Financially.
I've made a lot of wrong choices in my life.  I've often done what was convenient or what fulfilled my selfish desires of the moment and shrugged off the consequences.  The consequences ALWAYS catch up.  Sometimes the next day, sometimes years later...but there they are.  My financial situation is clear evidence of that.  I am awful with money.  To say I have poor money management skills would be a gross understatement.  I'm working on it, and I'm doing better, but I've gotten myself into such a deep, narrow ditch.  It's going to be a long time and a LOT of hard work before I am back on solid ground financially.

Emotionally.
I'm drained.  As most of you know, I broke up with my boyfriend about 5 months ago.  Or rather, he broke up with me.  I am crushed.  I was so certain about him.  About us.  So now I'm left feeling jilted. I have been having a really hard time with this.  I am SO thankful for the amazing support I have from my friends and family.  I have spent the majority of my quiet time not being so quiet.  I am angry.  I am sad.  I am heart-broken.  I just keep praying for God to take this hurt from me.  It's more than I can bear.  I'm just so tired.  I don't want to cry anymore.  I don't want to care anymore.  It's too much.

Physically.
I am in the worst shape of my life.  Over the last 2 years, I have gained over 30lbs...and I am not carrying it well.  I have started (and quit) p90x 7 times now.  I don't know what my problem is.  I don't know why I can't won't stick with it.  I want to be in shape.  I want to feel better about how I look.  I want to fit into the clothes I own.  I want to feel confident in a bathing suit again.  I know I need to just get off my couch and do it.  I know it's not going to happen overnight.  I really need to find some motivation...and keep it!


Spiritually.
With everything else that's going on, it's just been really difficult for me to keep my eyes on God.  I know that He is the way.  I know that He is the one who saves me.  I know that I am nothing without my faith.  It's just hard.

I don't think I've ever struggled this much in so many areas of my life at the same time.  I feel like I'm at such a low point.  The only place to go from here is up.  Wish me luck and say a prayer for me if you think about it.

Bumblebee Baby

Last month,  I hosted a baby shower for my dear friend, Jazzy.  The theme was bumblebees...because who doesn't find furry bugs that sting you adorable?  ...and because they didn't know the sex of the baby yet.  (as in, what will it 'bee'?  Clever, I know)

Jasmine and James actually did find out what their baby was going to 'bee' the morning of the shower.  I feel blessed to have been able to go with them for their 4D ultrasound and see Jacqueline Grace up on the big screen!

So, with the help of Margaret and Jasmine, I decked my house out in white and yellow streamers and made a slew of delicious appetizers and desserts.  We even had the ultrasound dvd running on loop in the living room. 

Jazzy and I both love to bake and be creative, so we knew we were going to go all out for this shindig.  Unfortunately, Jas and I are also both procrastinators and not at all planners, so we had our work cut out for us.  We made white chocolate covered springtime oreos for favors.  They came out so cute (and delicious)!  We made 4 different kinds of finger sandwiches - pb&j, pb&banana, cucumber&cream cheese, and chicken salad.  Bumbleebee and 'J' sugar cookies (J for Jasmine and James and Jacqueline Grace...it would have been James Oliver if it was a boy).

Then I decided I wanted to be super creative for Jazzys cake.  Bumblebee theme, you say?  Then I will make a beehive cake!  So, I googled some images...not recipes, or how-tos...just images of bumblebee/beehive cakes and found some really awesome cakes!  I can do that!  Easy peasy.  I give myself alot more credit than I deserve.

It was not easy peasy.

Did you know that springform pans only hold their form for a few uses?  And then they leak?  I didn't.  Let me tell you what happens when you try to bake a cake in a leaky pan.  First, the cake does not set.  Ever.  Not even a little.  Second, the batter drips into the grill of the oven.  Do you know what happens when batter drips onto your oven grill?  It catches fire.  Yep.  I managed to set my oven on fire. 

Thankfully, Margaret came along and saved the day!  Or at least she cleaned out the oven while I remade the cake. 

 

Springform pans are salvagable if you line the inside with wax paper and the outside with tinfoil and put it on a cookie sheet...so there is NO chance any more batter will leak!  Thank goodness the second attempt came out MUCH better!!

That mishap, and putting too much flour in the sugar cookie dough and having to restart those, set me back about 2 hours.  I may have put the first few guests to arrive to work.  All in all, I'd say the party was a success.   The food was a hit, everyone seemed to have a good time and my house was left in tact.  Score!

 

What baking adventures have turned into mishaps for you?