Services & Rates
My approach to massage therapy tends to be more intuitive than premeditated.
I combine different techniques, customizing my massages to address each client's needs - which may change from session to session. Heat helps to relax the muscles, so I usually add some heating pads or hot stones to soften tight muscle groups. Cold helps with inflammation, so I might apply cool stones to an area with edema...
Please let me know beforehand of any allergies, positioning requirements (extra bolsters needed), aromatherapy preferences, sensitivity to heat or cold (extra blankets or no heat...)
The more I know about your preferences, the easier it is for me to customize each massage to your individual needs & preferences. The small details can make a difference between a good massage & an amazing one...
The following menu is more what you'd call guidelines...
Relaxation:
Similar to "Swedish" this massage uses light to moderate pressure & focuses on reducing stress.
Stress is linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia...
Most of us ignore our increasing stress until it eventually manifests as stress-related/aggravated physical conditions (high blood pressure, IBS, tension headaches, compromised immune system, heart disease...)
We are a society of multi-taskers, trying to juggle work, family, school & all the other responsibilities we carry without sufficiently recharging our emotional batteries.
60 min $75 90 min $100
120 min $125 150 min $150
* * *
Lomi Lomi Fusion:
Similar to Gentle Deep Tissue massage, Lomi Lomi is both relaxing & therapeutic.
Traditional Lomi Lomi is done with minimal draping -- my version keeps the coverage in place while incorporating the flow of this Hawaiian modality.
60 min $85 90 min $110
120 min $135 150 min $160
* * *
Deep Tissue:
Many people assume massage has to be very painful to be effective but I prefer to negotiate with tight muscles instead of trying to force them to release. Even if you "can handle the pain" it's often counterproductive to work so invasively that the muscles clench in self-defense. There are many techniques (heat, gradual pressure, integrated stretching...) that can make less than maximum pressure just as, if not more, effective than using the deepest pressure possible.
Deep Tissue may not always be a full body massage, as the focus is generally on the main problem area/s.
(If you always find yourself repeating "you can go deeper" to massage therapists, you might want to try Ashiatsu-Fijian Fusion.)
60 min $100 90 min $125
120 min $1450 150 min $175
* * *
Prenatal Massage:
I'm certified in Prenatal massage, which is a wonderful experience for moms-to-be. Give yourself lots of pampering now because soon it'll be all about the little guy! Besides, what better reason could you have for self-care than spending almost a whole year building a person!
Prenatal massage can help with many common pregnancy discomforts such as lower back aches, sciatic pain, leg cramps & swollen feet. Certain pressure point techniques can even help gently encourage an overdue labor - although I make no promises; ultimately, the baby will decide when he or she is ready for the grand entrance!
Prenatal massage integrates the use of a body support cushion & can be done prone until the 4th or 5th month (depending on the individual) & side-lying after that, with lots of pillows & bolsters for Mom's support & comfort.
You can receive prenatal massage any time; however, women with high risk pregnancies or a history of prenatal complications must have your doctor's permission to receive massage.
60 min $100 $90 min $125 *120 min $150
* 2 hours can be too intense for Prenatal massage
& must be discussed before scheduling.
* * *
Reiki:
Technically, Reiki is not a massage; it's a form of healing Energy work. Reiki is not affiliated with any particular religion. The practitioner acts as a conduit for the life Energy that flows through all living things.
Reiki is a subtle yet potent tool for stress reduction & relaxation. It is not a cure for illness, but by assisting the body to create an environment to facilitate healing, it is a wonderful, non-invasive complement to traditional medicine & is practiced in many hospitals & healthcare settings.
A Reiki session can be used for healing on all levels: physical, mental & emotional.
During the session, the client reclines comfortably on a massage table while the practitioner moves through a sequence of Reiki hand placement positions; pressure is either minimal or done without physical contact. A recipient might feel a sensation of warmth or tingling during the session, or simply relaxation. Unless Reiki is an add-on to a massage, clients may wear comfortable clothing.
60 min $75 90 min $100
30 min add-on $25
* * *
Scalp & Face Massage add-on:
Perfect for North Carolina allergy season, this gentle scalp, face & neck massage assists the sinuses to drain, helping relieve post-flu stuffiness & sinus headaches. Obviously not intended for clients who are still actively sick, this is for lingering sinus congestion or seasonal allergies.
15 min add-on $15 30 min add-on $25
Gentle Deep Tissue:
This is my most popular massage, combining Deep Tissue methods for "knots" & tight muscle groups, with Relaxation de-stress techniques.
Most of us need attention to both high stress & overly tight & painful muscle groups. I consider this to be an ideal combination of Relaxation & Deep Tissue, because why should you have to choose between therapies?
60 min $85 90 min $110
120 min $135 150 min $160
* * *
Ashiatsu-Fijian Fusion:
This customized blend of Ashiatsu, Fijian & Deep Tissue techniques is ideal for extra dense muscle groups, clients with large or muscular builds, or when very deep pressure is needed or preferred.
Ashiatsu is a deep pressure barefoot massage in which the therapist stands on the massage table (using ceiling bars for support) & uses his or her feet to massage the large muscle groups, particularly the back, gluts & legs. Fijian barefoot massage is traditionally done on the floor using mats & cushions & uses mainly compression techniques.
I do a customized fusion of both modalities, plus Deep Tissue for areas where more detailed work with the hands is needed & generally use the massage table instead of the floor.
Using barefoot techniques, I can deliver up to
160 lbs of consistent pressure, compared to a maximum of 30 lbs using my arms & elbows. Also, the wide surfaces of the feet are much more comfortable than knuckles or elbows, making the pressure less noticeable... until afterwards, when your muscles will feel the difference!
* Ashi-Fijian is only available at my Concord location.
60 min $100 90 min $125 120 min $150
150 min $175
* * *
Hot Stones:
Seriously, one of the most luxurious massages...
Warm/hot basalt stones are used as extensions of the massage therapist's hands. The heat penetrates deep into the muscles, softening & relaxing them. In addition to the traditional smooth basalt stones, I also incorporate shaped Synergy stones, especially for the feet & neck.
Stone massage can be purely for relaxation or it can incorporate deep tissue techniques; the heat of the stones helps knots dissolve more easily, without much of the discomfort associated with Deep Tissue massage.
Hot Stones add-on: $25
(no extra time)
* * *
Reflexology:
Reflexology helps to restore the body's energy balance & stimulate self-healing with the application of a comfortable pressure to reflex points in the feet.
It also includes a luxurious foot massage
(because my opinion is that reflexology need not be painful.) Considering the daily abuse our poor feet endure - between cardio workouts, torturous shoes, & simply carrying us around all day - don't they deserve a little TLC?
60 min $75
30 min add-on $25
* * *
Hot Stone Reflexology:
All the benefits of reflexology plus the extra intensity of heated basalt stones, which not only feels amazing but intensifies the overall effects.
60 min $85
30 min add-on $30
