As we enter April, we enter the last month that Caring Palms will be doing oiled massage (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Freeform, etc.). If you have gift certificates, if you want one more great massage, come on in.

Caring Palms will be working its normal days and schedule for the entire month, with three Reiki classes (Reiki 1, Reiki 2, Reiki 3) on two Saturdays and a Friday. This is a unique opportunity to get all three classes in a short period of time, or finish up from the classes you’ve already taken.

Caring Palms will not book appointments in May in preparation to move from the Osceola Avenue location. We do have three classes scheduled in May at the current location, and they will happen as scheduled. It may be very empty as far as furniture goes (especially in the later weeks), but they will happen.

We have found a new home! See the next article for details.

We are still looking for a location to hold classes. If you know of any place that rents space, please send us that information.

We hope to have some more news by the May newsletter.

Caring Palms has put down a deposit on a room at Shine Wellness’ additional location at 315 10^th Avenue South, still in Jacksonville Beach. It is right behind the Benjamin Moore paint store which faces Third Street. What we will be renting is a small room, but with a nice feel and will meet the needs of the services we will be continuing to do as far as sessions go (Reiki, MFR, Mediumship, Meditation, White Light work). Parking will be interesting as there are about three spaces in front, but there is street parking. What has to happen now is to finalize terms, wait for construction to be completed, and get the state to come inspect so the Massage Establishment license can be moved. The hope is to be able to open there June 1^st.

Since people do not see the t-shirt designs too often, a new shirt will be featured each month.

Developed by John Barnes in 1970s, Myofascial Release (better known as MFR) can be performed by massage therapists and physical therapists. It is a style of massage / physical therapy that takes a whole body "hands-on" approach to the evaluation and treatment of the human structure. The goal is to help return the body's capacity to adapt, by restoring three-dimensional balance. What this means is that it works on realigning the body to its proper shape through manipulation of connective tissue (fascia).

While the basic focus of MFR is to put the body into alignment (as the body tends to stay well when aligned), it can be used to remove pain, increase range of motion, and generally make someone feel better. It is used to help stiff necks, backs, etc.

Every part in the body is connected by fascia. Consider it like the threads on a sweater which hold that sweater in shape. If you pull one thread, eventually the entire sweater is affected. The same is true for the human body. The fascia is normally a nice, soft, rubbery substance that gives when we move. But through trauma, it can become hard and constricting. When this happens, the body’s alignment changes. We feel pain, and a host of other problems crop up. Trauma includes accidents, injuries, surgeries, bad posture positions. if you look at someone, is one shoulder lower than the other? Usually, if one shoulder is low, the hip on that side is high. This is caused by constricted fascia pulling that side together.

An MFR therapist works by applying a series of holds to help loosen, and relax the fascia. These holds are done skin on skin with no lubrication (this is not your normal massage) for a period of three to five minutes each. During this time, the fascia starts to loosen and eventually (in most cases) returns to its normal pliable state. MFR starts with the alignment of the pelvis (the physical center) and then works up and down from there. This work can also include compressions, glides, and stretching.

An example of constricted fascia is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (lumps in your wrists). Doctors surgically remove the lumps leaving scar tissue which in turn creates more Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is why it keeps coming back. MFR has been used to get rid of Carpal Tunnel. It has also been used successfully against Fibromyalgia, migraines, and scoliosis. To a trained MFR massage therapist, this is the first approach when dealing with stiff necks, frozen shoulder, or tightness in most areas, and should be received when getting chiropractic work as it allows the work done by the chiropractor to have a longer lasting effect.

Since the MFR work is done at the level that it is, it tends to have a longer lasting effect than doing regular, oiled massage. Most people who receive this work feel invigorated and looser afterward. If you are having problems stemming from migraines, limited range of motion, to just pain, find an MFR therapist and get an assessment, and see if this might be right for you.

The first three guided meditations are now available. We have a small inventory in-house). When these have been sold, we will replenish them (replenishment takes about 10 days). These meditations are also available online as CDs or MP3s and can be purchased through the Meditations Page. If you are looking for a safe meditative journey to relax or work, come see us, or purchase one (or all three) online. Available meditations include, Finding Sanctuary, Working Through Past Experiences, and Visiting With Your Guides. We are hoping to have the other three available within a few months.

Because of the ongoing issue with COVID 19, there will be changes in procedures to keep everyone (client and therapist alike) safe.

These procedures will not be bypassed under any circumstances. The idea is to keep everyone safe, yet allow them to get their needed sessions.

Also, if you normally refuse to wear a mask when going about normal errands, please wait to come in. If you have been in large groups that do not wear masks, please wait to come in. If you know that you have been exposed to people that have COVID, please wait to come in until you know you do not have it. This is for our safety as well as yours.