I get a lot of questions about massage, massage styles, comfort, and more. I thought I would try to answer some of them in a short article.

Let's start with what massage is and what it can do. Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, or in simpler terms the pulling, pushing, rubbing, sometimes pounding of the skin and muscles. Oil is used to cut down on friction so that the movements feel good. Doing massage helps increase blood flow which increases good health. It also helps muscles be looser and less painful. Massage is good for someone in pain from pulled muscles, sore backs and more. But one does not have to wait until they are hurting to get one. Receiving massage is a calming experience where the tensions of the day just seem to float away. You get a loving touch that lets you know that you are being taken care of.

During a massage, the person receiving is covered (draped) with a sheet or towel. The parts to be worked on are uncovered, worked, and then recovered. At no time are the genitals or women's breasts uncovered. This is called normal draping. As a person receiving a massage, it is up to you to tell the therapist what you are comfortable with and not, and to let them know if they are doing anything that makes you uncomfortable. They will change what they are doing so that you are. That being said, the more exotic styles use less draping because the movements run the length of the body (from shoulder to ankle and back). In these cases, draping consists of a towel only. Again, any changes from normal draping are done with the permission of the person receiving, and only if they are comfortable with it, and can be changed back if they wish.

Now, what about massage styles? Caring Palms does so many styles that it can be hard to choose, especially if you are unfamiliar with massage. These styles run from the very basic to the exotic to the specific. Sometimes deciding what you want will depend on what you are drawn to, what your needs are, and what your comfort level is.

First off, there are no bad massages. Even the most basic of massages is good quality work that will help you with whatever you need help with just as the higher end or exotic massages will. And (with the exception of one style) all of them are the same price. Beyond that, we get into specifics about what does what.

The basic style all therapists learn is Swedish where there are specific types of moves that can be put in any number of combinations to work the body. While most therapists have a routine that they follow, good therapists will change that routine based on the needs of the person on the table. Deep Tissue massage simply adds pressure to massage strokes. Deep Tissue can be killer deep or not depending on the person receiving. The most common style requested is Deep Tissue, not because everyone likes deep work, but because all too many have had massage where the therapist did not press hard enough (what we call 'Fluff and Buff'), and they feel they need Deep Tissue to be able to feel the movements. Caring Palms has never been accused of doing Fluff and Buff. We try to use the pressure we think a person needs to create a firm massage. It is up to them to tell us to go deeper or ease up.

The more exotic styles of massage (Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Esalen-Inspired Freeform) work the body as a whole, rather than a series of parts. Movements go the length of the body, and in some styles work under the body at the same time they are working on the top. To do this, a minimal draping situation is used so that areas being worked are not uncovered and covered.

For specific problems dealing with pain, Myofascial Release (MFR) might be used. This is a style that works on connective tissue (fascia) and uses a series of holds to get that fascia to loosen up. People who have been in auto accidents usually have lasting problems, and MFR is something that can help relieve the long term problems. In fact, any trauma to the body (injury, falls, cuts, surgeries) can have lasting effects in fascia that gets constricted and causes pain or other problems elsewhere. (In fact, when we hear auto accident, or surgery, we immediately start leaning toward MFR as a recommendation.) MFR can go in and convert that constricted fascia to flexible fascia. In fact, it is very good relieving problems from fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome as they are truly fascia issues even if doctors claim not to know the cause.

But even armed with all this knowledge, what if you don't know what would be best for you? Well, that is where we come in. During the consultation part of the visit, we look at you to see what problems we think you have, and then go over the paperwork and talk to you to see what is troubling you. Based on what we have seen and what we have been told, we will recommend a style. If the style recommended is something you are not comfortable with, then we will work with you to find something that you are comfortable with. We will address any concerns before you get on the table. If what we recommend is something different than what you want, we will do what you want, but suggest you come back for what we recommended.

Many times, if no particular style is desired, we do what we call an Integrated massage. This combines movements from several styles into one complete session.

So I hope this has answered any questions you might have about massage. If not, then feel free to call us and ask. Because we value you as a person and a client, and we want you to be educated about what we do so you can knowingly choose a session of your liking and be comfortable with it. We are here to help you.

Caring Palms has a room for rent to a holistic arts practitioner.  This person could be a practitioner of accupuncture, reflexology, hypnosis, massage or any similar modality.  If you know anyone interested, please have them call Brian at Caring Palms.   

Caring Palms is looking to hire a part-time massage therapist for the new studio. This person would be working as an employee of Caring Palms and should be licensed in the state of Florida and have practitioner's insurance (or be willing to get it). Serious applicants will be expected to give a massage to be evaluated. They should also be willing to build a clientele rather than walk into one built by someone else.

We are looking for either one or more part time employees. If you know anyone interested, please have them call us.

• April 12 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 

• May 10 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 
• June 14 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 
• July 12 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 
• August 9 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 
• September 13 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm 
• October 11 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm  
• November 8 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm  

At Caring Palms, we pledge to do the best work we can at every session.  We not only do this to continue to earn your business, but because we believe that you deserve the best care possible every time you are here.  This is true whether it is massage, or energy work, or classes. This is our promise.  This is what we will continue to do.