503-705-4762

Category: Massage

massage for relaxation

After Your Massage – What to Do (Or NOT Do)

Do:

  • drink water
  • rest
  • have a snack
  • take a hot bath or shower

Don’t:

  • workout
  • go back to work
  • listen to/ watch the news

You’ve just had a massage. Hooray! Great job taking care of YOU!

What now?

After receiving bodywork, you will feel relaxed, maybe even a little out of it. Now is not the time to give a big presentation at work, or dig deep into what’s going on in Ukraine.

Cool it with the caffeine and anything that feels jarring, stressful, or loud. Instead, space out! Literally create space in your schedule for rest. Put on relaxing music, read, sit outside and stare at the trees.

Why drink water?

With my clients’ sessions my goal is moving energy. We want a crystal-clear stream rather than a murky green swamp. Water helps keep things moving, keeping you hydrated.

Why rest?

Time is our most precious asset, and we so rarely take time for ourselves. Why not extend this luxurious moment into the next day (or at least the next hour) by chilling out for a minute.

Why eat?

While I do my best to help ground my clients at the end of their session, often holding their feet, or giving them time to settle back into the room, you may still feel a little loopy after your session. Eating a healthy snack, say a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit, or cheese and turkey slices, can help regulate your energy.

Why bathe?

I’m a huge fan of Epsom salt baths! Warm water helps relax your muscles and calm your nervous system.

Why not workout?

Yoga, stretching, going for a walk, these are all encouraged after your massage. A heavy strength session, hours long bike ride, anything intense is not recommended. Years ago I had a client who was a high level golfer. He came in for his massage then immediately hit the links. He later told me it was one of his worst games. He goes by feel and because there was less tension in his muscles, his swing was off and his game suffered. When lifting weights, you need power, strength and tension. Massage encourages your muscles to loosen and relax. Wait 24-48 hours after your massage for an intense workout.

What’s wrong with going back to work?

If your job is high stress, requires you to complete complex tasks or communicate effectively, best to schedule your massage for after work. Let your brain turn off and rest. You may be surprised to find when you do this, solutions to complex problems pop into your brain without you having to stress about them.

No news

I know we all like to be informed, but now is not the time to learn about the latest war, natural disaster, or other bad news. Keep in mind the news is meant to shock you so that you will keep watching. You’re not being sold puppies being adopted at the shelter, or people making lunches for schoolchildren. If you want to watch cat videos go for it, but please for the love of Bob Ross, do not turn on the news!

I’m Anne McCranie, a Vancouver Washington based Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist.

To schedule with me please email or text me

Anne@FluidPortland.com

(503) 705-4762

Can Thai Massage Help You Soften Into Deep Relaxation?

In a recent newsletter I asked you, “what is Thai massage?”

Here are some of the responses I’ve received:

  • gentle stretching and relaxation
  • pressure with hands and feet to aid in releasing muscle tension
  • feeling lighter, more mobile, and with a lifted spirit


How is Thai massage different?

You rest on a padded mat on the floor instead of a massage table. You are supported with bolsters and pillows.

I use my hands and feet to press gently in a rhythmic, wave like motion. While the goal of this work is moving energy, you may also experience softening of tight muscles, as well as immediate reduction in your pain levels, reduced stress, improved relaxation, and better sleep.

Using my feet to massage you allows me to leverage my body weight, while giving specific detailed pressure.

Is this a deep tissue massage?

My goal with this work is deep relaxation, we’re reassuring your body that it’s ok to be soft, to let go. I am asking you to cooperate with me, not grimace, resist, check out, or hold your breath to “get through” the session.

This is not “deep – I’m trying to insert my finger as deep as I can into your tissue” massage. This work can be “deep” in that together we’re gently peeling back the layers of tension, allowing for deep relaxation, encouraging your body to let go. This can be hard work. This requires you and I to be vulnerable, curious, and open to any outcome.

This work is subtle. We’re not attacking your muscles with a sledgehammer, we’re nudging, waiting, asking the layers of tension to slowly soften.

Who is this work for?

If you feel stressed, have trouble sleeping, your body feels tight, or you want to feel better in your body, this work is for you.

If you are comfortable getting down on the floor (and back up), you are open, curious, patient, and kind to yourself (or are trying your best to move in that direction) this work is for you.

If you’re curious about what can unfold when you soften and allow for space, Thai massage (and specifically the style that I practice) can do wonders for your body and soul.

Who is this NOT for?

If you often complain that therapists “do not press hard enough” you will not be happy with this style of soft tissue work. If you do not want to get better, this is not for you.

Here’s a testimonial from a client I worked on this month, who was suffering upper back and jaw pain, and headaches. We did four sessions, starting gently, and working up to more intense neck and jaw work. He’s no longer taking pain meds and is back to resuming daily activities, like working out and dancing.

Contact me today to schedule.

Anne@ FluidPortland.com

503-705-4762.

Here are my next available appointments at my Hazel Dell office in Vancouver.

  • Friday June 19th at noon or 3 pm
  • Friday June 26th at noon
  • Friday July 10th at noon or 3 pm

If none of these times work, reach out to me about other options.

xoxo

Anne

Client Testimonial – CranioSacral Therapy

A client recently sent me this testimonial…

I have been going to Anne for massage, particularly craniosacral therapy massage, and I must say that she is the best of all who have worked on me. I leave our sessions completely relaxed and refreshed. Anne is not only a highly skilled practitioner, but what makes her special is that she truly cares about her clients, focusing her efforts completely on each session…… DF, Portland

 

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Reading this warmed my heart. I truly love working with my clients to facilitate pain relief, reduced stress and improved quality of life.

This client first came to see me after shoulder surgery (well, actually after his wife told him for months “you should go see Anne” 🙂 ). He was suffering from pain and limited mobility in his shoulder. He did his physical therapy exercises religiously and when he was released from P.T. started seeing me for personal training, massage, and craniosacral therapy. Over the past year he has greatly improved his range of motion. His goal was to be able to lift a suitcase into the overhead bin, or take a bike or kayak off the roof rack without pain and he is now able to do so.

Now that his shoulder pain has subsided we have been focusing on relaxing soft tissue work and CST, or what I call the “massage cranio sandwich”. I work his back, legs, neck and arms using a combination of Swedish and neuromuscular massage, then we do a solid hour of CST. This modality is so relaxing he often falls asleep.

Better sleep, less musculoskeletal pain, improved joint function, better quality of life… Sound good? Call or email Anne to find out how her Movement + massage program can help you!

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood), Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She offers customized programs to build strength, reduce pain and lower stress. Contact her today for a complimentary consultation. (503) 705-4762

Studies Show Massage Therapy May Boost Immune System Function

Cold and flu season is here, what is your winter wellness plan?

Anne n Linda Massage 2013 (2)

How about scheduling a weekly or monthly massage? Studies have shown that those with compromised immune systems who receive regular massages had stronger immunity as a result.

 

“Researchers working with patients with compromised immune systems have found massage therapy can improve how the immune system functions,” said Jeff Smoot, President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). “Those same benefits translate to people seeking to fight off the common cold, flu and other seasonal illnesses.”

Contact Anne today to schedule your next massage. (503) 705-4762

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood), Oregon based massage therapist and personal trainer. She offers Swedish massage, hot stone massage, cranio sacral and myofascial release work.

Craniosacral Therapy Provides Relief For Chronic Headaches and Migranes

Do you (or does someone you love) suffer from chronic headaches or migraines? Studies have shown that Craniosacral Therapy can help to reduce the intensity and severity chronic headaches and migraines.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

This light-touch modality (the pressure used by therapist is less than the weight of a nickel) helps to release restrictions in the dural tube, the area surrounding your spinal cord, normalizing the cranio sacral system and allowing these structures to function at optimal levels.

Can I try a sample of this work?

Yes! I often finish each massage session with a few cranio “holds” as they are called. If you have noticed me cradle the base of your skull with my fingertips or hold one hand under the back of your head and one hand under your pelvis this is craniosacral (and if you have not noticed because you were floating away in a state of bliss then it worked!) My clients report deep relaxation, reduced stress, some people even report a “bobblehead” feeling after I loosen the tissues in their neck. I also offer sixty, seventy five and ninety minute sessions where we follow a ten step protocol to address all parts of the craniosacral system.

 

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Not able to get in to see me right away? Here are a few self care tips for reducing headache pain at home:

  • Apply an ice pack wrapped in a pillowcase or thin towel to your forehead, temples, or the back of your neck.
  • Apply gentle, steady pressure to the painful area with your index finger or thumb. Maintain pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, then release.
  • Sit, or lie quietly in a low-lit room. Turn on soft music, close your eyes and imagine tension dripping away from your neck and shoulders.
  • Try the simple neck release we often do in Pilates and yoga class – lie on your back and gently and slowly roll your head side to side, then make small slow circles.

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland (Sellwood) based Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist. She offers movement and massage packages for optimal health. To book your next appointment call her today at (503) 705-4762, or click the “schedule and appointment” button to the right ->