 I love my work and I can tell you why…today I gave massages to two sisters. The first one told me that she was feeling tense. She also said that her ears were plugged and she could feel sinus pressure in her face.
She immediately picked essential oil of lavender to add to her massage lotion. As I gently rocked her from side to side, she inhaled deeply and sighed. Her spinal erectors were very tight and I slowly softened them using thumb circles combined with a gentle stretch of the entire tissue. On the right, there was a large knot next to the scapula. I could feel the hard, dense tissue melting underneath my hands.
As she turned over on my massage table, she gave me a big grin. I applied finger acupressure to sinus points on her face. When I was finished, I placed a lavender eye pillow over hers eyes while I massaged her arms and legs. I thanked her for our session as I was “brushing” her off and invited her to take her time and lay on the table for a few minutes.
When she was dressed and came out of the room, she gave me a huge hug, and said that my touch completely eased the tension that she felt in her spine. Then, she told me how much she enjoyed her massage and I could honestly say that I liked it just as much as she did.
Soon, the second sister came for her massage. She said her shoulders and low back were really bothering her and she asked if I could focus on those areas. Yes. She chose a blend of rosewood and geranium essential oils for her massage; the fragrance was delightful.
As I was applying the blend to her back, I could already hear a crunching sound from levator scapula. After the lotion was applied, I began to focus on her upper shoulders: the upper trapezius had adhesions, the rhomboids were very tight and supraspinatus was referring pain down her left arm. After releasing the trigger points from her left shoulder and arm, she turned her head towards me and asked me “Did my sister tell about our father’s funeral?” I replied that no, her sister didn’t, and I was sorry to hear about her fathers passing, but would she care to tell me about it?
She said “We had the funeral on Monday and we decided that we would treat ourselves to a massage. It’s restorative. Restorative, you know?” She then turned her head back into the face cradle. I continued massage her low back. It was very tender on the right, so I worked gently to allow the tissue to relax. When she was lying on her back, I noticed that her scalenes were tight and the muscles in her neck were hard and ropy. First, I cross fibered the muscle tissue, then I held points and cupped her head in my other hand and gently rotated her head. I could feel the tight tissues relaxing and unwinding in her neck.
I ended our session with a full body rock, thanked her and let her know that she was welcome to take her time – there was no hurry. A few minutes later, she emerged from my massage room with a wonderful smile and she said “Lovely. That was just lovely.”
I am honored that I was the helping hands for these sisters and that they found a healing and natural way to take care of themselves during their time of grief. And, I was happy that they had each other and could share the massage experience together. So, here’s another reason to receive a massage- it’s restorative.
Enhance your health, it’s a precious gift. Thanks for checking in,
Jane Ann, Massage Professional, NHC
  I am going to benefit my circulation by simply taking a walk. You can too. I bet many of you know already that we can increase our heart rate as we exercise…But did you know that as we walk and engage our calf muscle called the soleus, it helps pump the blood up from the legs and feet? The soleus muscles contract as they shorten and lengthen so it is a very efficient pump. The soleus is sometimes called the body’s “second heart” for this reason and I think that’s pretty interesting; especially when I massage a client with tight calf muscles. And I have found that taut calf muscles may lead to difficulty walking and pain; we take walking for granted until it’s no longer easy to do.
In our area, we have some sweet walking spots…over the next few days, I’d like to share my favorites while I tell you other walking benefit tid-bits and why you might enjoy adding a walk to your daily routine, and even if it’s a short walk- that’s better than no walk. Go gently and easily at your own pace.
The Arboretum at UCSC is an amazing place to take a walk! Located off of Empire Grade, just up the road from the main campus entrance, it’s close by but feels far out… You can visit Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and California all in the same day if you wish. Be sure to notice all of the beautiful plants- the heathers, banksias, grevilleas and more are blooming a bit earlier than normal because of our mild winter. Don’t forget to look at the lovely bark on the trees-…some are peeling, some are very colorful! You might spot wildlife: flickers, quail, hawks and hummingbirds…Take your time and get a good walk in. Maybe I will see you there, my grandkids love it as much as I do…And remember, as you are strolling around- you are exercising both of the body’s hearts!
Enhance your health, it’s a precious gift. Thanks for checking in,
Jane Ann, Massage Pro NHC
 This was an interesting concept presented in the Lymphatic Drainage class by Behice Kutay (body work classes are fun!)…and it resonated quite strongly with me. Don’t worry, we can figure which you are out easily. And if you are a coconut, you will soon be a mango. If you are a mango already-good for you!
When was the last time you thought about your scalp muscles? A good scalp massage makes the whole head feel better. It releases tension, increases circulation and stimulates the hair follicles. Our scalp tissue is rather thin and it is very easy to access the muscles. One of the chewing muscles- temporalis- is located just above your ears. Let’s take a few minutes and place your fingertips around your ears and press into the scalp.
Become aware of your scalp. Maybe do little finger circles on temporalis, first in one direction, then reverse…move your fingers a little higher and gently press. You may want to do circles here. Now, follow your hairline all the way around your head. If you find a tight spot, press on it gently and move it a bit…side to side or circles. Check your scalp just above the neck in back; these muscles can get tight, too. Allow yourself to spend about 3-5 minutes relaxing all of your scalp muscles.
Now it’s time to answer the question: are you a coconut or a mango? If you started off as a coconut, I hope you are a mango now. And if you are still a coconut, spend a few more minutes on your scalp muscles. My clients are always pleasantly surprised how good it feels to spend a little time on their scalp muscles. Go mango!
Enhance your health, it’s a precious gift and thanks for checking in,
Jane Ann, massage pro & NHC
 Seeing is believing! I have just returned from Esalen where I attended a Chikly Institute lymphatic drainage class presented by the fabulous Behice Kutay, RMT and I met ten amazing women. What really caught my imagination were the slides that clearly showed the lymph pathways that begin as tiny creeks flowing into larger streams and then mighty rivers, each area with its own particular water shed…it was like looking at a topographical map and I learned a new and very useful way of “dropping in” to the body.
What is the lymph system? Very simply, it is the water of interstitial fluid that originates in the connective tissue spaces of the body and the lymphatic system acts as a purification center for the whole body. As this fluid enters the first lymph capillaries, it is called lymph. The lymph captures and regains protein rich liquids. The lymph also contains lymphocytes, macrophages and other immune cells which break down pathogens, dead cells, cancer cells, mutant cells and foreign bodies that are found in the interstitial fluid. The lymph nodes destroy those harmful particles so they can eventually be flushed out of the body.
When we look at the lymph, we can easily make the comparison of a watershed…the lymph capillaries can be compared to small creek beds. As the capillaries increase in size, they flow into a stream, called lymphatic collectors. Growing larger yet, we see the lymph ducts flowing like a mighty river and joining the major venous circulatory system of the heart. Most of us also know what happens when a water way becomes blocked; the water behind the dam ceases to flow and stagnant pools form. It is the same in the lymph system!
Why is it beneficial to work with the lymph system? When the lymph system is sluggish or damaged, fluid builds up and the tissues may look “puffy”. The immune system may be compromised by sluggish lymph since many of the immune cells are contained in the lymph tissue.
Lymphatic drainage is very gentle work and extremely relaxing to the parasympathetic nervous system. Remember when we looked at the benefits of that? Hint: reducing the effects of stress, fatigue, sleeping disorders, chronic pain…all benefit the PNS.
At the cellular level, lymph drainage stimulates the immune system for detoxification and elimination of harmful substances. And at the same time, beneficial proteins and lipids are recovered; what a wonderful way to re-cycle!
We can move stagnant fluids to improve the tonicity of the skin and muscles. Lymph drainage hydrates the skin and regenerates skin tone, reduces wrinkles and bags under the eyes. Headaches, migraines and sinus congestion can be alleviated. Sprains, muscle spasm and other trauma may be soothed by applying lymphatic drainage techniques. Often, range of motion will improve considerably after a lymphatic session, the results are immediate and easy to see… and feel.
Lymphatic drainage is a wonderful modality to pamper yourself with…and we can affect our own lymph system through diet, exercise, breathing deeply and a big belly laugh!
Ok, I admit it- I am now a lympomaniac! Enhance your health, it’s a precious gift and thanks for checking in.
Jane Ann, massage pro & NHC
 It has been an amazing year, both happy and sad. Some close family members and friends have passed on, yet leaving behind the memories of time spent with them. New babies and friends have made their appearances, adding to the circle of family and old friends…I am looking forward to the unlimited potential of the New Year and what it may bring.
Intention really is a powerful tool! Here is a bit of evidence: Yesterday as Jake and I were getting ready to walk out to the mailbox, Jim asked me if I would bring him a surprise. I told him absolutely! When Jake and I opened the mailbox, someone had put a small silver wand and tiara inside, along with a hot pink fork and spoon (they were plastic, but I know magic when I see it!). My neighbors chuckled over my find, no one seeming to know where this gift had come from… and Jim was as tickled as I was.
I hope your New Year is filled with love and magic! Appreciating your blessings (no matter how small they appear to be) is a great way to start. Please share your magic story right here, if you would like to. Enhance your health, it’s a precious gift and thanks for checking in!
Jane Ann, massage pro NHC
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I love my work and I can tell you why…today I gave massages to two sisters. The first one told me that she was feeling tense. She also said that her ears were plugged and she could feel sinus pressure in her face.
