Massage doesn’t have to hurt to get results.

If you have had a massage from me, this may seem like a weird sentence. I am a deep tissue massage therapist. I focus on injuries or sports performance massage which is generally deep. But just because a massage is deep, that doesn’t mean it has to hurt.

A deep tissue massage does target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue but if we cross into the painful territory, we can actually cause more harm than good. We have to find the right pressure for YOUR body. This is different for every single person. One persons version of deep, is someone else’s light. So how do we know when we are on that right line of deep enough for results, but not so deep as to cause more damage?

First, it is important to note that a deep massage must be approached slowly. We have to warm up the muscles with long slow strokes before working into deeper tissues. We cannot just force them into submission through excessive pressure.

If we cross the line into too much pressure it can be counterproductive by:

  • Bruising or Damage: Too much pressure can result in bruising or injury to the soft tissues. It can create micro-tears which can cause prolonged soreness and recovery time. While some mild soreness after a deep tissue is common, sharp or lingering pain is a sign that too much pressure was used.
  • Tension Response: If a therapist is applying too much pressure, you often will respond by tightening or guarding against it. That tension makes it harder for the therapist to get results and can create a cycle of increased tension. I always like to say we want to walk the line of it being deep but if your body is fighting back, we aren’t doing any good. Please speak up if I don’t catch it.
  • Prolonged Recovery: I absolutely expect tenderness after a deep tissue massage. Two to three days max there can be tenderness from the pressure but there shouldn’t be new pain, or range of motion issues. And if after 3 days, the soreness hasn’t gone away then we definitely need to lighten pressure or spend more time warming up the tissue at the next appointment.

As mentioned, each massage is different for each person. And each person has a different tolerance for pressure and a different version of what deep or light pressure is. The key is to always be communicating with me, your therapist. Please don’t try to “grit it out” thinking that no pain, no gain. Often times, we can give the area a break, and work surrounding areas. When we re-visit it, often it has relaxed.

Basically, while I do think that deep tissue is highly effective, it does require communication as well as skill. Taking your elbow and jamming into a muscle without warming it up or just trying to get in as deep as possible, will not render results. My approach is deep, but also very precise. I use my hands much more than most deep tissue practitioners, it is actually rare that I use my elbows at all. I know the anatomy and how to read your body. Your job is just to try and relax and communicate with me. Together, we will get results.

Prenatal Massage: Yes or No?

Despite outdated information, getting a massage during pregnancy is absolutely fine. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose the right therapist, make sure its safe for you, and understand any risks.

Years ago, moms-to-be were told that they could not have massage in the first trimester because it would cause a miscarriage. They were also told that they couldn’t get massage towards the end of the pregnancy because it would send them in to early labor. Neither of these things is true, however, you do need to go to a therapist that understands pregnancy and has had extra training in prenatal massage.

One of the main concerns for prenatal massage is of course, laying on your stomach. A lot of therapists will put you in a side laying position but that makes getting certain muscles difficult and results mediocre. I have specialized orthopedic supports that allow pregnant women to lay face down without impeding any blood flow to the baby or putting any pressure on the stomach. They also allow for the best massage and results possible.

I have had extensive training in prenatal massage, as well as ran a prenatal focused massage clinic where that is all I did for years. I have worked with pregnant women, moms who have just delivered, women going through high risk pregnancies, postpartum depression and the entire range that come with pregnancy. I have worked with doulas, midwives, and doctors and am always happy to work with a medical team to help a mom through all stages of pregnancy.

The way I approach a massage on a pregnant woman, is the same way I approach a massage on an athlete. After all, their body is undergoing big changes while training for a major event over a 9 month period. Similar to training for a marathon, a tournament, or a thru-hike. There are certain muscles that change and are impacted more that will need some focus but as always, each person will have different needs and no two massages will be the same.

Another concern is of course, any health risks and any therapist with prenatal care education will recommend speaking with your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Blood clots or history of clotting issues
  • Cardiac disease or disorders
  • Any previous major surgery (on organs or organ transplant)
  • Pregnant with triplets (or more)
  • Any illegal drugs taken during pregnancy
  • HIV positive
  • Any previous miscarriages other “high risk” conditions mentioned by your doctor

If you are experiencing any complications with any signs of premature labor, cancer, diabetes, a UTI or kidney infection or any other active flu or infection we recommend cancelling your appointment and speaking with your doctor. We may not move forward with your massage unless your doctor clears it.

Prenatal massage in the right hands is a safe treatment during all stages of pregnancy right up to the day you give birth and we can resume within 5 to 7 days postpartum in a healthy vaginal birth. As a side note, a quick massage after birth can help tremendously in recovering from the trauma your body experiences during birth. And yes, even in a completely healthy labor, the body experiences a major trauma.

Feel free to come to me with any questions or concerns to discuss your options about massage during your pregnancy.

I’m Moving to South Jordan!

You can’t always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes you have to jump and trust in yourself and what you’ve built.

I am making a jump. As of next week I will be in a new office in South Jordan. I will be in the District near Hobby Lobby. 💛💛

There are a few main reasons:

1- it is close enough to my home that I will get to ride my bike to work everyday!

2- it is a smaller office (in fact, as of now I’m the only one in with only 6 suites available), which lowers COVID exposure.

3- It is a slightly bigger space which allows it to be multi-functional for me.

I have loved my time at LIV and wasn’t seeking new locations. This one became available and everything felt like it lined up perfectly. This is the next step for me to grow in some different directions that I am very excited about.

I know that for some of you this may mean more travel time (some of you less) but I hope that it won’t be too much of an inconvenience. I look forward to continuing all of my clients care in this next step of my journey!

If you already have an appointment scheduled, I will reach out with address and details before your appointment. If you don’t, and want to get something set up, text 801-718-7617.

Thank you all for your continued support. Many of you have been with me for many years (some well over a decade) and I appreciate you more than you know!

Bike MS: I ride for Roland Dalton.

This year in the Bike MS ride, I will be riding for my Uncle Roland who passed away in 2009 after a 40+ year battle with MS. Below is a little bit about his life. I am incredibly honored to be able to represent my Uncle as well as my Aunt and family members that were on the journey with him. Please help support my fundraising efforts by clicking here.

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Roland Dalton was born November 29, 1940, in Circleville, Utah.  He married Maurine Robinson, August 21, 1959 in Circleville, Utah.  Roland and Maurine have three (3) children Roland Lee Dalton, Greg Dalton and Claudia Ann Merino, 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. 

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) when he was 27 years old.  Roland was diagnosed with M.S. in the 1960’s prior to all of the medications they have today to treat the symptoms for M.S. After a courageous battle with M.S., Roland passed away on July 31, 2009.  Roland dealt with the unpredictable and disabling M.S. disease for 40 plus years. 

He did not let the disease get in his way of living his life.  He stayed active as much as he could before the disease completely paralyzed him.  He enjoyed riding horses, snowmobiling, boating, fishing, and hunting before the disease took his mobility away from him.  His pride and joy was his family who surrounded him with love throughout his life.  His greatest joy was spending time with his kids and grandkids.  Being surrounded by his loving family brought happiness and purpose to his life.  His second greatest love was watching sports.  His favorite teams were the Colorado Rockies, Utah Jazz, BYU Cougars and the Utah Ute’s. 

M.S.  is a disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body parts it does not send the messages to move the body parts. Millions of people are affected by MS and the challenges of living with its unpredictable symptoms.  It not only affects the person with M.S. but also the family members.  Roland’s wife was his caretaker for 40 plus years.  She did an amazing job in taking care of Roland.  His family is forever grateful to Maurine for her many years of taking care of Roland even though it was not easy on her mentally or physically.

We are grateful to Elaine for riding in M.S. bike ride to raise funds to change the world for everyone affected by M.S. M.S. is an unpredictable disease, while science has come a long way in understanding and treating MS, there is still so much more to do. Thankfully, scientists and physicians are hard at work researching treatments and searching for a cure. Every step matters to the people with the disease and their family members.  Every dollar counts.  Every person makes a difference.  THANK YOU! 

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Please click HERE to donate to Elaine’s MS Bike ride fundraising.

Massage for Knee Pain

Years ago, I blew out my MCL doing the worm on the dance floor (story for another day). 😕

Every once in awhile I get a flare up – meaning a lot pain on the inside of my knee, instability in the joint, and a lot of self recrimination about that damn worm incident.

One of the most effective treatments for me is working the Sartorius muscle. This muscle (the longest in the body) starts at your hip and crosses the thigh to the inside of the knee. In the third pic you can see how it actually goes right outside the MCL.

By massaging, stretching, icing and strengthening this muscle, I am able to control these flare ups and get rid of the knee pain!

Knowledge is power when it comes to treating injuries in the body. Understanding where muscles begin, end and what they cross over is key to getting any results. Massage can help with a lot of knee injuries – even if it is helping to manage pain while an injury heals. Sometimes knee pain can be caused by an issue in the feet or hips as well. If you have been experiencing knee pain, lets discuss it and come up with a plan to see if massage can help you.

**this is not medical advice! If you have a knee injury- seek medical attention. This is how I manage MY knee pain caused by an old injury. Also, you know… don’t do the worm.

Sciatic Nerve Pain and Massage

Let’s talk about the dreaded sciatica. Did you know that 40% of the population will experience sciatic pain at some point in their life? Yuck. Did you also know that most of the time, massage can help?

Whether caused by a disc, muscle or joint issue, the pain starts when there is compression of the sciatic nerve.

Once that happens, muscles get tighter to try and protect from that pain, then the tight muscles create even more compression on the nerve. Then your posture might start changing because it hurts to stand up straight… and this can lead to more compression on the nerve. Then the muscles get tighter… and more compression. It is easy to fall into this cycle that just keeps getting worse and more painful. And it is very easy to start feeling helpless and hopeless.

Here is where massage comes in. 1- by loosening the muscles to reduce that nerve compression and 2- by helping to restore proper body mechanics that can help your body naturally combat the original source of sciatic nerve compression.

Doing both of these things can help get you back to a pain free life.

During a massage focused on the sciatic nerve, I work all the muscles in the gluteal region with some specific love on the piriformis muscle, as well as the other deep rotator muscles.

Here is key to getting results though- not just to work the obviously affected muscles. The adjacent muscles often contract and overwork in an attempt to protect the area of pain. So I ALSO spend significant focus in the quadratus lumborum (low back), illio psoas (hip flexors), and other muscles which attach in the area. The hamstrings, IT band and calf can also get some attention.

Although caused by one dang nerve… it is actually a pretty complex area that deals with a lot of deep and dense muscles.

If you’ve been experiencing sciatic pain- let’s see if massage can help you! My approach to it is always to do the least invasive things you can before considering surgery. If massage doesn’t help, then you can consider other options.

Ice, Ice Baby!

Most of my clients know that 9.5 times out of ten, I will tell you to ice instead of apply heat. Why?

Ice reduces inflammation, swelling and pain.

Ice should be used right after an injury OR after an activity that may inflame a chronic injury/pain. This is why it is great for acute sprains and strains but also for over use injuries, and chronic pain in athletes. Or even after getting a deep tissue massage that might flare up some issues!

These are not boxing gloves I’m wearing here… these are my ice mittens that I use after a day of massaging. I abuse my hands every day but icing them helps prevent injuries and keep inflammation down so I’ll ready for the next day of working out your aches and pains!

Heat definitely has its place but when in doubt between ice and heat…. ice, ice baby!

Massage For Student Athletes

I grew up playing softball from the time I was 5 years old. When I was about 12, I decided I wanted to be a pitcher – which puts enormous strain on the muscles of the shoulder. By 17, I had 2 minor tears in my rotator cuff. Although it ended my pitching career, it began my career as a massage therapist after I began treating with one to help rehab my shoulder.

Over 19 years of massage, I have spent much of that time working with athletes. In fact, my first massage job was working in conjunction with the physical therapists for the University of Utah football team. I have developed my own techniques that allow me to help not only with injuries but with performance.

Types of sports massage

There are two aspects to working with athletes. 1- Reactive and 2- Proactive.

Reactive is the more obvious type meant for injury recovery and rehabilitation. After a big competition, game, or event it can help to restore proper muscle function and improve healing. If there is an injury, massage can help with recovery to help get the athlete back to their passion.

Proactive is meant for injury prevention, athletic improvement and performance optimization. This is much less utilized in student athletes. In the case of this amazingly talented dancer and athletes case, we are working on range of motion in her shoulders so she can reach full extension in her moves.

For a baseball pitcher, it may be working on scapular and shoulder stabilization which can not only help prevent an injury but can also help with strength in the joint. Take it from me, pitching is a game of recovery. Doing it quickly and properly gives the athlete an amazing competitive edge.

A soccer player may need work on the muscles of the low back and legs. It can help keep them loose to prevent muscle tears (which can sideline them for an entire season) but can also help them increase their speed to improve their performance.

These young athletes put their bodies through A LOT, sometimes their youth means they don’t realize the limits their body has. Massage can help prevent major injuries, recover from the stress they put their bodies through, and maybe give them that extra advantage to excel in their sport of choice.

I offer a discount for student athlete massages and would love to consult with you about a program for your student athlete. Let’s protect them and help them and give them the edge they need to reach their goals!