Anyone headed to the beach? It's that time of year again when people are headed out to the beach or to the lake or on a long summer cruise to take advantage of good weather. Make sure you're wearing sunscreen, and that you don't over-exert yourself or injure yourself with you additional activity.

I didn't get to upgrading to my new email newsletter version. This is now planned for later this month. I will send out an email asking each of you to opt-in to the newsletter and the open appointments email at that time. This new version requires a double opt-in feature which means that the email address must be confirmed by the owner of the address before he/she will be added to the list.

This month, I'm including an article with information on how to find a good massage therapist while you're on vacation. I’ve also included tips for self-massage and stretching for you beach-goers this year, and I've included more information on Hot Stone Massage.

Enjoy!

- heather wibbels (615.294-6672)

Whether going to the beach, a lake or a cabin for your summer vacation, sometimes a massage seems like a perfect addition to an already relaxing week. However, make sure you’re getting a good massage therapist whose style suits your own. Many times we’re flying blind when we look for a massage therapist while on vacation, but there are ways to increase your chance of getting a wonderful massage.

The best piece of advice: Find out where the locals go.
If you’re renting vacation property, ask the main office for several suggestions of massage therapists to call. If the person you’re talking to doesn’t get regular massage, as to speak to someone else in the office who does. Chances are someone there gets massage regularly or knows a good massage therapist. Getting more than one name is key – good massage therapists tend to book in advance and you may need a couple of names to call in order to get a massage that fits your schedule. If the massage therapist you call can’t take you, ask him/her for some suggestions. An excellent massage therapist will have names of other massage therapists and know their strengths and styles. However, make sure you are talking to the massage therapist, not the receptionist if you’ve called a spa. The receptionist might try to talk up a therapist that doesn’t fit your specific needs.

If no one in the rental office knows a good massage therapist, try calling a salon or a physical therapy clinic. Or, talk to a manager at a store or restaurant (clerks and servers are often just summer help, and not as experienced with the best massage therapists in the area). Sometimes the chamber of commerce or the tourist information center will have some names of massage therapists. Although many young people do get massage, usually regular massage customers are over 25-27 years old. If you can talk to someone around your age group for a recommendation, or someone with the same activity level, you have an even better chance of finding someone who will suit your style.

Take some time to talk to the massage therapist.
Even if you only talk to them for a few minutes, taking the time to communicate your needs and expectations to the massage therapist (if she/he is available) can give her a good feel for whether or not she can meet your needs. This also helps build rapport and gives you a better feel for their personality and professionalism.

Decide whether you want a true relaxation massage, or if you are seeking something more therapeutic to work on specific problem areas.
If you’re seeking a relaxation massage or some extra-special pampering, you may want to look for a spa. However, if you’re looking for a deeper massage, or a session to work on some particular problem, you probably want to look for an independent massage therapist or a wellness clinic/massage clinic rather than a spa. Spas are great for pampering their guests, but many times the massage you get in a spa will be lighter and more geared toward general relaxation than specifically tuned to your needs. This is not always the case, and sometimes you can get exactly what you want at a spa, but be aware that not all spas are the same, and there is always a wide variety of skill, professionalism and personality at a spa.

Make sure the massage therapist you are seeing is licensed or that s/he has a national certification.
In some states, massage therapy is not a licensed profession, and standards of education, ethics, and professionalism are not set for those calling themselves massage therapists in the state. In unlicensed states a therapist might hang out a sign and start advertising as a massage therapist with no formal training. Some conditions and symptoms contraindicate massage. Make sure you’re going to a massage therapist who has had some formal training and enough medical training to know how to deal with any conditions you have. In states with licensing requirements, any spa, wellness clinic or resort will require their therapists to have training in order to keep their business license valid.

During the massage, communicate your expectations and needs to the massage therapist.
Make clear your needs in terms of pressure, areas of focus, and specific types of massage, and don’t be afraid to ask for anything that would make you more comfortable. This is your massage; make sure your therapist knows what you want. Therapists appreciate knowing what you like and knowing details on how to make you more comfortable. It makes their job easier, and it makes your expectations as a customer clearer and easier to meet.

Take some time on your vacation this summer to get a massage, but spend a little time to make sure you get a great massage while there. Usually, just talking to locals and checking in with the massage therapist to set expectations beforehand ensures a great massage. Good luck, and don’t forget to share any tips or new techniques you bring back from the massage with your regular therapist.

More on Massage: Hot Stone Massage
Heating up with Rocks

Hot Stone Massage is just that. It’s a type of massage that uses hot and cold stones increase circulation in the body, relieve stiffness, and relax the body/mind connection. The stones are placed on the body and used as tools during the massage itself. It combines thermotherapy (heat/cold therapy) with massage through the use of natural stones.

While there are many types of hot stone therapy, it was first introduced by Mary Hannigan in Tuscon, Arizona. She calls her stone therapy LaStone therapy, and it’s based on Native American healing traditions. She combined it with thermotherapy because heat and cold have long been used by western medicine to treat injuries, stiff muscles, and aches and pains.

In a session, basalt stones are heated to around 125F, and are placed on the body – either on the skin or on the sheet covering the skin. The heat from the stone penetrates deep into the body, warming the muscles, joints and bones beneath them. Some are placed on energy centers, like the chakras, to stimulate healing and energy balance. The therapist places others along the spine, the limbs, and on the hands and feet. Sometimes stones are placed between the toes, or on the face. The therapist may also use cold marble stones on parts of the body, or alternate the cold stones with the hot stones. The massage may also include using the stones as massage tools – using them directly on the body to massage tired and tight muscles.

Advocates of stone therapy assert that it is a powerful method to bring the mind, body and spirit together, and say that it is capable of inducing states of relaxation beyond that of traditional massage. Through the use of natural stones to manipulate and change the energy patterns throughout the body, the therapist is able to generate deep calm and relaxation in the client.

• ‘GETTING STONED’ About Stone Therapy
• Experience the Art of LaStone