Black Friday 2012

The election ad campaigns are finally over, which means the holiday season is officially upon us. Clients of mine from years past may be wondering if I'll be offering a Black Friday special as I have for the past two years. In the past couple years, my Black Friday special offer was limited to only my Facebook "fans." This year, EVERYONE is hearing about it, but those who HAVE "liked" my Facebook business page will have an added perk that I'll be sharing next week. "Like" my page so you too can enjoy the special treatment!

Here are this year's Black Friday offers:

**Buy 2 gift certificates, get 1 free

OR

**Buy a 60-minute massage gift certificate and get 30-minutes added on to it for free

In the first option, the 2 paid-for gift certificates will not expire, but the free gift certificate will expire May 31, 2013. In the second option, the full 90-minutes will expire May 31, 2013, but the paid-for 60-minute portion will not expire. For either option, this offer is limited to 3 gift certificates per purchasing person, meaning you can 'buy 2, get 1 free' OR buy 3 60-minute + 30-minute gift certificates only. 

Remember, you can "like" my Facebook page for extra special treatment not only for this Black Friday deal, but that's also where I post any same-day appointments that I'm trying to book and discount those appointments by $15!  

WHEN: 8am-12pm Friday, November 23, 2012

HOW: Call 503-318-9626 or email me at rachelsheardlmt AT gmail DOT com. I can take your card information over the phone, and either mail your gift certificates to you, or arrange a time for you to pick them up. If you choose to email me, I will need your card number, expiration date, zipcode and the 3 digit code on the back of your card. 

WHO: This offer is open to all current and past clients (and anyone you may forward this to).

By the way, do you know who my ideal clients are? I would MOST love for you to share the gift of massage with these people. Thanks! 

Non-Verbal Communication

This is one of those thoughts that comes up in my mind during almost every massage, and that I repeatedly forget about when the time comes to write a blog. Well, at long last, here it is! 

Non-verbal communication is what I depend on for a large percentage of massages I give. Here are some signs that I pick up on, and my interpretation of what they might mean to you, the client. PLEASE tell me if my interpretations are wrong, as I do use this information to guide the session. If I'm reading your signals wrong, I won't be giving you what you want, and that will make for a less than 100% satisfaction for you when we're done. 

Breath/Breathing

This is a hugely important strategy that you can use. A stand-alone deep sigh can mean you're finally beginning to relax. It might also mean I might need to back off from the intensity or the area that I've been working at. You can also sync your breath to the work I'm doing, so that you breathe in while I'm getting to the tight/tense/trouble spot, and then exhale as I zone-in and hold that spot. When I can sense you are doing this is one of my favorite things about giving massages. It means you and I are working together on this issue you have, and when we do that, you'll get the results you're after even faster. Here's what you need to know about this process: When I'm zoning-in on that spot, sometimes I need to hold into it longer than your breath cycle. For those times, I will ease up my pressure a little for you to inhale, and then I'll sink back into it as you exhale again.

Fidgeting or Flinching

You might fidget if the pressure is too much, or if I'm haven't found the right spot. A flinch might mean you're beginning to doze off and catch yourself, so you're alert again. You might also flinch if I've hit a nerve or an exceptionally tight band of muscle tissue. Depending on what my senses are telling me, I will probably check in with you to make sure you're okay. This is your opportunity to steer me back on track, tell me to lighten up or dig in deeper. Take advantage of this invitation to get what you want from your massage.

"Helping" 

This one tells me that you are not relaxed. Pretty much the only time I really need you to help is to lift your feet or knees so that I can move the bolster under them or take it out. I can usually get the leg drape without help, though lifting your leg is helpful if your skin has lost elasticity, and you NOT lifting your leg might result in me inadvertently pinching your skin as I try to tuck in the sheet. I'm working on improving that anyway. Those without skin elasticity concerns who do lift their leg make me nervous, that I might reach somewhere I don't intend when I tuck the sheet under your thigh. :-/

Holding

Holding also tells me you are not relaxed. I know sometimes it can be very difficult to relax. If you're getting your very first massage, or if it's been a very long time since your last massage can make it more difficult to relax--when you aren't really sure what to expect next. If you are one of those people who just have a hard time relaxing period, here's what you can do: Focus on your breathing, counting up to 8 while you breathe in, and then back down to zero as you exhale. It's good to take a pause between your exhale and inhale too. Another alternative to help relax is to really focus on what my hands are doing, specifically, how your body feels as I work on you.

Resisting

Resisting is a spin-off of holding. You might resist me as your body's way to protect itself if an area is particularly tight or sensitive. Some resistance can be prevented by me clearly communicating with you on what to expect, but other times, it's just your body's instinctive response. What can you do? For the former, I may give you a little wiggle or try to move your body in a way that distracts your mind from trying to anticipate what I'm doing. For the latter, get into your breath. Exhale as I'm working through that area of tension. 




Are you surprised by how much information I gather without you saying anything? I am quite fascinated by body language and am eager to learn more about it. These are the most prominent methods of non-verbal communication that I use and pick up on during sessions. As a client, do you try to communicate other ways with me that are not listed here? Let's talk about it, I'd love to learn what else I should be looking out for in my clients. 

Experience=Skill?

Dusting off the ol' blog, and hope to touch back once in a while with refreshing topics. Today, I share with you two greatly varying experiences of receiving massage. I'd love to hear feedback from your own experiences. Please share your comments below, or back at my Facebook page.

Experience #1--My Own Personal Experience

Last week, I went to my school for my (free for alumni) monthly massage. My student therapist was Veronica. I must say, I was quite impressed! She was very receptive to everything I said I was needing that day--a little more therapeutic than just relaxation as I had just begun my P90X workouts. Veronica's pressure was great. She asked about what kind of pressure I liked in our intake, and checked in with me a little bit into the massage. I said it could be just a little deeper, and she adjusted her pressure perfectly. I also asked her about doing glute work, as every massage I'd had at the school in the past 6 months, no one had worked my glutes, and I didn't know if that was a new clinic rule or something. She said it was not, and was happy to work my glutes (they're big muscles, and one of my favorite areas to get worked on!). 

As the massage was nearing the end, she had worked on my right arm, then went to my left. I felt like my right arm, particularly my triceps, needed a little more work thanks to the workout I'd done that day. She spent more time with my left before going back to my right. As I was already face up, she wasn't quite sure how to work my triceps as much as they needed. I suggested that one way would be for me to flip over, and have my arm off the side of the table, also to get into the lats that way. She quickly thought to bring my arm so my hand reached my opposite shoulder, and that worked well without needing to flip back over to my stomach again. I was impressed too, that Veronica didn't seem at all intimidated to be getting such feedback from a licensed therapist--I remember as a student or even newly LMT that I was a bit intimidated by having other LMTs as my client. 

All in all, she did a fabulous job, and I was completely satisfied. I can easily say she has been the best student therapist I've had since I've been going back to the school for massages. She'll be in clinic at Anthem College in Beaverton for another 5-6 weeks, so I definitely recommend going to see her if you happen to live/work in that area. It's $25 for a one hour (think 55min or so) massage, cash only. Call 503-906-9045 and ask for an appointment with Veronica. Appointments are Mon-Thurs at 2:15, 3:30, and 4:45. I'm not sure if there's later appointments than that currently. And let her know I sent you--I'm sure she would love to hear that!

Experience #2--Client Feedback From Massage at Massage Envy

Also last week, one of my regular clients (who has been through massage school, but is not yet licensed) emailed me after receiving a massage from a gift certificate that was given to her. Here's what she had to say: 

"So a friend gave me a free massage for Massage Envy. I used it tonight...the whole time I was just thinking about how it wasn't done very well.  Not really well at all actually. The therapist I had has been a LMT for eight years. I'm not a massage therapist, yet, but I'm pretty sure I do better than that. And I'm really not trying to be mean or anything. I mean it wasn't horrible, just very different from yours. (which I love!) Missing a part here and there, not very smooth or flowing, didn't do any compression before pulling the sheet down, just different. I found it interesting and wanted to say Thank you! By far, you are the best massage therapist I've met and I really enjoy and appreciate you and your services. :)"

What a contrast in experience, right? Not all therapists are a good fit for every client, and some may have seen the therapist at Massage Envy and be perfectly happy with their experience, just the same as you may go see Veronica and think that I'm crazy too. We all have different needs, and as therapists, we all interpret our clients' wants/needs and have different ways to reach those goals. I definitely side more with making sure I understand your wants/needs prior to beginning the massage, and hope you'll also be honest with me during your time on the table and tell me what you need to have done differently if I'm not quite getting it right for you. As a client, you have only so much time on the table--however, if my schedule allows, I may suggest you take a little more time so I can really work out what needs attention/what brought you in--and I value your time and want to make it a good investment for you. 

Have you ever had a massage at a student clinic at one of the massage schools around town? What has your experience at a massage chain (Massage Envy, Elements, etc) been like? What is your "best massage ever" story? Worst?

Product & Service Spotlight: Aloe & Herb Bodywraps; & Scrub Cloths

Just before I started my vacation this month, a new client inquired about having bodywraps done. Not wanting to leave her stranded while I was on vacation, I was going to make an exception to see her, as she wanted to do the wraps in preparation for an upcoming trip. We did 3 of the Warm Linen Wraps before my vacation, then she purchased some of the Solution Gel and continued doing the wraps herself at home. Upon returning from my vacation, she went back to the Warm Linen Wraps. She decided to just take measurements at her first and last wrap with me, so I can't tell what her inch loss is up to this point, but it is noticeable, as well as smoothing of cellulite from the thighs. What struck me, was her comment that she feels much less fatigue, much more energy than before beginning the wraps, and that she would be continuing the wraps (package of 7) for that benefit alone, that the inch-loss was now just a perk to go along with that result.

Aloe & Herb Toxin Cleansing Body Wraps

Aloe and herbs surround you for 45 minutes during these warming, soothing, hydrating, and deeply relaxing body wraps. A great treatment for clients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, MS, diabetes, gastric bypass, acne, and the list goes on. No shower needed after body wrap. 

It is your choice whether we take measurements before and after. If we do, I mark the places I get measurements on your body with an eye-liner pencil, to assure measuring the same place again after your wrap is finished. 

Inch-loss results are possible and best seen by clients who bathe with Aloe or Lavender Body Wash and with series of 7 or 12 wraps. Series discount pricing when booking and paying in advance. Following the wrap, the effect of the Aloe & Herbs stays in your body for 3 days. For each of those 3 days, try to drink a gallon of water (128oz) to help flush the toxins (Toxins stored in fat include but are not limited to ca ffeine, nicotine, medication by-products, food chemicals, environmental substances, etc.) from your body. Ideally, wraps should be done at 4 day intervals, to maintain the level of Aloe & Herbs effect in your body. 

You have three choices of wraps, and each is explained below.

Warm Linen Wrap

This is the most commonly done wrap using rolled linen cloths that have been soaked in the tea-like Aloe & Herb Solution. The linen cloths are wrapped on your body, and you will look like a mummy when we're finished. Wearing cotton underwear and bra will allow the aloe & herb solution to reach your skin for full body absorption and maximum toxin cleansing. 

After each half of your body is wrapped, you pull the warming suit (think rain-suit) over the wrapped parts to hold in the heat. Then you get cozy under a blanket on the massage table and enjoy 45 minutes of peace and quiet while the Aloe & Herbs penetrate through your pores. It's not uncommon to be chilled as the wraps are removed. $75

Warm Linen Wrap Series of 12 $750--SAVE $150=TWO FREE WRAPS!!

Warm Linen Wrap Series of 7 $450--SAVE $75=ONE FREE WRAP!

Solution Gel Wrap

The gel formula allows those sensitive to heat or with sunburns to enjoy the cleansing effects of the traditional body wrap. The gel is applied to the body and covered with plastic wrap.  Then you get cozy under a blanket on the massage table and enjoy 45 minutes of peace and quiet while the Aloe & Herbs penetrate through your pores. It's not uncommon to be chilled as the plastic wrap is removed.  $65

Express Wrap-n-Go

Solution Gel Wrap applied from elbows to knees, covered with plastic wrap. Then you redress, go about your day, and remove the plastic wrap yourself after 45-60 minutes. $35

Scrub Cloths

Speed the skin cell turnover process by buffing your skin more effectively than with a washcloth or loofah. Use prior to your bodywrap with the Aloe Bodywash or Lavender Spa Bath/Bodywash for maximum absorption power of the bodywrap.

Small $6, Large $9

My First Acupuncture Experience

You should know by now that my glass is pretty much never half empty. All my clouds have a silver lining. There's always two sides to every story. You get it.


Today, my 3:30 massage appointment was cancelled at 1:50pm. Fan-tastic, right? Right!


It did become fantastic when I called up Carol Greismeyer at Oregon City Acupuncture. I met Carol through the Women Empowering Women networking group a good year and a half ago, but it wasn't until she moved her business from Milwaukie to just the other side of 7th Street on Madison here in Oregon City in September that we really connected. 


Since she moved across the street from Heidi's, we've toured each other's offices and agreed that trading services would be a marvelous thing. Carol is usually in the office Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and my mother in law was already planning to come spend the afternoon with her grandsons, so I thought it'd be the perfect time to give acupuncture a shot (pun intended). 


Carol was able to get me in exactly the time I was hoping for, and gave me a very good nutshell of the eastern views of how the body works, and then the de-stress treatment. The needles are not bad at all, just a little poke when it goes in, and then it's fine. 


Carol discovered an energy blockage under my right knee (thanks to all my muscle imbalances, no doubt), and my right hand felt "funny" for a few minutes of the treatment. It was a nice, relaxing treatment, but didn't leave me a sloppy mess either. My hands feel much better, a lot of the muscular tension in my gripping muscles has been relieved, and the same for my upper shoulders/neck that hold tension too. 


My massage therapist tomorrow will no doubt be happy to have a little less work to do on me tomorrow when I get to have my massage in our trade too. By the way, when you come in for your massage and spa treatments, the new face occupying the room next to me is Jessie. And I'll be happy to tell you what her massage style is like after I experience it tomorrow for myself. Be on the lookout for new signs to be popping up that will have both our names on them. Jessie's clients need to find her too. :)


Back on topic now. Give Carol at Oregon City Acupuncture a call: 503-653-1468. The de-stress session is $30. See what you think! You can also buy gift certificates on her website--just in time for the holidays! What a great gift idea. We could all use a little more Eastern influences in our very Western lives...