Summer Massage

The weather has been PERFECT this week! Nothing makes you want to get outside and be active like low humidity and sunshine! With the warm weather comes all the fun summer activities we love. However, sometimes we forget that we haven’t done these activities since last summer so our bodies are a little rusty. Make sure you are ready for your summer sports and activities by doing some regular cross training in the off season, warming up very well before the events (even yard work/gardening!) and keeping your muscles healthy with regular massage! Massage is beneficial in many ways. It helps you keep track of how your body is feeling and if there are any tension spots you weren’t aware of. It helps to keep your muscles loose by increasing circulation. It can help you to recover as you get back to doing what you love and have sore muscles. Massage is not benign. It absolutely feels great just generally, but it can also be a great tool to keep you doing the things you love!

Email or call today to schedule your next appointment!! 919-322-8382!

Package Pricing

At Oak City Massage, we understand the benefit of receiving regular massage, of course. We also understand that this can be a financial burden on some folks! While getting regular massage can help you to avoid injuries, lower other health costs and keep you in the activities you love, it can still be hard to justify. With this in mind Oak City offers some great package pricing to help lower your overall cost of massage therapy. Our packages do not expire and you are welcome to use them as frequently as you would like. We also allow you to share your package. 

Check out our package pricing before your next session! 

A package of 3 massages is 5% off (60 minutes are $95/session, 90 minutes are $137.75/session)

A  package of 6 massages or more is 10% off (60 minutes are $90/session, 90 minutes are $130.50/session)

Email or call to schedule today!! 919.322.8382

Last Week for Gift Cards!

I can hardly believe Christmas Eve is a week away!!

Just a reminder that this is the last week for Christmas gift cards, 10% off any regularly priced massage! If you are still looking for the perfect gift, look no further! Give the gift of relaxation with a massage gift card! Please call or email the office to schedule a time to come in and pick up your gift cards. We are also able to email gift cards if that is more convenient for you! 919-322-8382

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Thai Table Massage

Hey everyone! 

Recently our therapist Alanna took a certification for table Thai massage. This will be a new service we will be offering at our office so check out this blog if you are interested!! 

What is table Thai massage, what is the difference between this and floor Thai massage? 

Thai massage on the floor was the original way it was done & was offered to the farmer men back in the olden days. Thai massage was looked at as a way not of relaxation but more as medicinal-they didn’t feel they absolutely needed it unless you needed it-like seeing the doctor. Thai massage on the floor often has stretching involved & the therapist can sometimes use their feet to provide a deep stretch on the clients back while pulling their arms. Thai massage can be hard on the body, especially on the floor.  Some people may feel like they are in a pretzel like position during some stretching with their bodies turning & it can be aggressive. On the table it's a more gentle approach and easier on the body. The thing that is similar is that there are lots of compressions along the meridian of the body with some stretching. Stretching can still be delivered on the table without the therapist having to climb on top of them.  Robert Wooten taught me how to do table Thai massage. He said he developed it on his own for 30 years in Thailand. He says it’s helped him come up with a gentle approach for his body & his clients. He feels that Thai massage does not have to hurt. Wooten said that if done right by the massage therapist- it should feel like a type of dance & with ultimate presence can put us in another dimension, so to speak. 

What are the benefits of table Thai massage? 

The benefit for me as a therapist is it’s easier on my body & for my client it is more comfortable. It can be done laying on the back & in side-lying position. 

How often could/should you get a table Thai massage? 

Table thai massage feels somewhat like a myofascial release type of modality.  If it’s a really deep pressure & deep stretching Thai massage you may not want to do that before an athletic event -maybe a couple days before or after.  Once a month may suffice- it depends on how you’re feeling & what’s being worked with. If you’re on the  stiff side maybe twice a month, at least. 

What should you expect at your table Thai massage session? 

Thai massage does not require oil & can be done with clothes on. There’s some stretching, rhythmic movement & compressions along the meridians (energy lines) of the body. The therapist might use her feet on the clients legs & back.

How and when to schedule?

You can email or call to schedule 919-322-8382. We will be offering Thai table massages on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We look forward to working with you soon!!

Temporary change in hours

Hi Everyone!

For those of you that don’t know, our therapist Alanna will be out of the office until August. This will be impacting our schedule for the time being.

Our new hours will be Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:30pm.

We will begin scheduling clients on Alanna’s schedule starting the last week of July. If you are a regular client of Alanna’s and would like to schedule something with Amanda or Alicia, please email(oakcitymassagetherapy@gmail.com) or call the office 919-322-8382.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you soon!

Massage for Injury Prevention

As the weather turns warmer people start getting out more to enjoy it, get back to warm weather activities and in some cases to get back into shape. Often this is a time of year when many folks come in for massage because they have injured something trying to get back into an activity they haven’t done in a few months. There are several ways to avoid these injuries. Continuing with an exercise program indoors when the weather prevents outdoor training will help to keep you in shape so you are better prepared to get right back into your activity. Starting back slowly into your activity is another way to help avoid injuries. Some spring sports, like adult soccer leagues don’t have practice and instead only meet for games, make sure to do some running and drills ahead of your first game on your own in order to be able to compete(without getting injured) when you want to at the game.  Similarly, an activity like gardening requires lots of repetitive movements with weeding and planting. Try to pace yourself, start small and take frequent breaks especially at the beginning.  

  Another great way to avoid injury as you are getting back into your outdoor activities is to get regular massages, of course! Massage is beneficial for injury prevention in many ways. First of all, massage is a great way to “keep stock” of your body. Often in a massage, I’ll hear my client say “I didn’t know that was tight”. The massage isn’t causing the tension, only bringing it to the clients’ attention. Our bodies can only process so much pain at a time, so if one area is especially tight you may not notice that another area is tight. This is important because now that client knows which areas in their body need more attention via stretching, foam rolling, heating etc. The less aware of your body you are the more likely you are to injure yourself.  Getting regular massages also helps to reduce overall tension. When you start back at an activity you haven’t done in a while muscles you haven’t used in a while will get tight. Chronic tension that hasn’t been bothering you in the off season can also come back quickly. Having a regular massage will help to reduce chronic tension and keep up with any new tension that may be developing with activity. Lastly, with regular massage any new tension, pain or injuries that come up can be dealt with quickly. The sooner you address an issue, the better. Ignoring pain in your body can lead to chronic injuries. Massage can be relaxing and great for general stress relief, but it can also be a great tool in injury prevention. 

Before you get back to your favorite warm weather activities, consider starting a regular massage routine. At Oak City Massage we offer different package pricing to help make regular massage more affordable. Our packages do not expire, can be used as often as you like and can also be shared with family and/or friends. Email or call today to schedule your next massage! 919.322.8382

Four Causes and Solutions to Low Back Pain

One of the most common complaints I hear about in my office is low back pain. Though a lot of my clients suffer from this, there can be a variety of causes. Today we are going to discuss a few of the causes I see most often (outside of structural differences, specific injury, and disc degeneration) and some solutions for them. **Please note that if you are not sure if you are injured it is important to see a Doctor before trying massage or a new exercise, so that the problem is not made worse**

Tight quads and hip flexors.

Sitting at a desk all day is a huge contributor to low back pain. The hip flexors and quads are flexed all day, making it difficult for them to fully relax when standing. This puts a forward tilt on the pelvis. The quads and hip flexors pulling the hips forward would cause the torso to lean forward, and the righting reflex is to arch the back so the upper body is upright. Arching the spine like that puts a lot of stress on the muscles and pressure on the lower vertebrae which leads to lower back pain.

What can we do about this?

Take breaks from sitting during the day. Some of my clients attempt to drink extra water during the day which causes them to get up and use the restroom more often. Another great thing to start adding to your daily routine is stretching the quads and hip flexors at least twice a day, more if possible. The hip flexors get extremely hypertonic after years of sitting and driving, getting orthopedic massage specifically focused on the hips may be necessary to help undo the tight muscles in this area. No need to cringe at the thought of psoas/iliacus massage. At Oak City Massage, we are trained to slowly work into these muscles, in fact our goal is that you would not experience any pain during this treatment, as that will increase the effectiveness tenfold.

2. Inefficient Glute Muscles

Another side effect of sitting all day is that your glute muscles stop working properly, they forget what to do. When this happens the next muscle in line, the low back starts to work overtime. This obviously leads to overworked muscles in the low back, which leads to pain.

What can we do about this?

It’s not that the glutes are weakened, they have just stopped working, or gone to sleep. We simply need to wake them up. Before going walking or exercising after work, do a few squats, lunges or resistance band side steps. These exercises can activate the glutes so they actually do their job when they are supposed to. Getting a medical massage can help with this as well. Your therapist can test your glutes and see if they are truly the problem, there are techniques to activate the glutes during the massage as well.

3. Leg Crossing

When the legs are crossed, the length of the muscles change. Sitting cross legged for long periods at a time causes one side to become chronically tight, while the other side is chronically overstretched. This type of unbalance can cause a lot of problems. When the low back is unbalanced, it can cause the hips to be cockeyed. This will change the gait pattern and cause a ripple effect all the way to the neck and down to the feet. It will also put unnecessary stress on the hip joints and knees.

What can we do about this?

First of all stop crossing your legs! Sitting with your legs straight out infront of you is ideal, you may also need a lift/stool under your feet if the chair you use is too tall to have your feet flat on the floor. Getting a massage can be very helpful in this situation. In orthopedic massage, your therapist will do a postural analysis as well as feel which side is shorter and which side has been overstretched. This is important because it will determine the work that will be done. If the two sides have different issues, you should not treat them the same.

4. Weak Core

The last big cause of low back pain we’ll go over today is a weak core. Almost all of my clients have heard that this can help their low back pain. The core includes your abdominals, obliques, lower back and goes as far down as the glutes and as high up as the mid back. These muscles hold the body upright and keep you stable while moving. If any of these muscles is weak, it causes the other muscles to overwork to the point of pain.

What can we do about this?

Strengthening the abdominals is generally the first thing people try to do. This is great, but it is also important to do core exercises that include all of the muscles, planks and bridges are two great examples. I would recommend Pilates to anyone that is trying to strengthen their core to help with low back pain, whether from a youtube channel, at home DVD or a class at a gym I have found these classes to be extremely safe and core strength based. However, it is always important to discuss this with your doctor if the pain in your low back is severe. If any exercise causes an increase in pain or doesn’t feel right, stop it immediately and try a modification or skip it all together. Getting a massage will not strengthen your core, though it will help alleviate some of the soreness from the new exercises you may try. Massage can also help by loosening the muscles that have been tight and overworked.

If you are experiencing low back pain, and feel it is caused by one of these issues, call us today to schedule your appointment! New Clients receive %20 off their first hour! 919.322.8382

Convenient to Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Raleigh for Medical massage, Sports massage, Prenatal massage, and Relaxation massage.

Oak City Massage Therapy

Package Pricing

As everyone is getting back into the swing of a regular schedule with school and work, we wanted to remind you of our package pricing. Getting back into a routine typically means making time for self care as well. Massage is a great way to take care of your mind and body, and at Oak City Massage we want to make that easier for you. Take advantage of our package pricing to make each session more affordable. By paying up front for multiple sessions, you can save up to 10% on every massage! If you are planning to schedule a regular massage, consider purchasing a package to bring down the cost! Save 5% when you purchase a package of three massages, save 10% when you purchase a package of six or more. We are looking forward to seeing you soon! Email or call to schedule your next massage today! 919.322.8382

Presence and Massage

Massage therapy & meditation go hand in hand; When I do my work, most of the times I try my best to be fully present with my clients that way I can assure my client is receiving quality work (not like that “cookie cutter” massage you get at some franchises). I know what feels great according to the specific muscles, I can feel what needs to be released, and I’m often very detailed. Let’s say a new client would like to try a professional massage and it’s their first time, I will ask the client  (especially if I sense some anxious or nervous energy) that they’d allow themselves to surrender not only in the physical sense- letting go & remain passive as I manipulate their limbs (& sometimes engaging the muscles depending on what I'm trying to accomplish)- but also in their mental as well; allow yourself to let the thoughts go by as you are being the observer, not reacting to it but sensing it & allowing it to happen without you trying to control what thoughts pop up- controlling or engaging in those thoughts- be fully present with right now- I ask that you also observe my touch & notice your breathing- just focusing on those two may become a meditation for you. There are all types of meditation & this type of meditation is a mind & body connection... so many people are not very connected which may result in injuries if they don’t know about being self-aware. If you do what I ask- at least try your best & each session should get better. Especially if you have a restless mind, the first session might be tricky but overall, It should be a relaxing experience & by the time the session is over, you’ll come out feeling refreshed! If you were able to clear your mind (without forcing to clear your mind...just let the mind go like your heart beat it will do what it has to do just let it happen and observe without entertaining what thoughts pop up automatically)- give your mind a rest while you just feel the sensations you get from this work you receive. When it comes to meditation, meditation in my sense meaning to be fully present in right now without having to be stuck in the future or past- meditation in a sense that whatever activity you are doing you are fully conscious in that activity. Meditation can rewire pathways in the brain. It just takes effort, time and continuous training. Many people constantly worry. Although some stress may be good.... too much can age a person. With meditation, you think a whole lot less unless you actually need to think about whatever it is at that moment- nothing that is dramatic- a play on your story whatever that is, but for the most part meditation is about this present moment what can be achieved by allowing oneself to be fully there- not letting distractions cut that connection- that mind body connection is a powerful tool. Being one with your body helps with sports, martial arts, coordination etc. Not only do you benefit from my massage therapy work- I do as well. I keep myself engaged & completely focus on right now- what I do- everything else just fades. I’m completely in tune with the given moment, in tune with what's real right now in front of me & doing what I can, what I feel is right. Often times, I feel like I’m in a flow state & the time just scurries fast. To be honest, It makes my work more enjoyable. I like what I do & I know you will love my work. So come and meditate with me, let’s be fully present together & relax & let go & feel the benefits of my work whether it is to help you with muscle issues/ pain or connecting to yourself more & training your mind to be still.

Alanna Harley, LMBT #17646

Email or call today to schedule your next appointment! 919.322.8382 !!

Massage and Seasonal Allergies

Hey everyone! As spring continues it’s annual bloom, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before we see the clouds of pollen blowing out of those pesky pine trees! I know I’m not the only one that occasionally gets some irritation from the pollen this time of year and it’s terrible have sinus congestion just as the weather is starting to get better. If you are struggling with some sinus congestion from the pollen be sure to ask your therapist about doing some sinus drainage techniques at the end of your massage. Many clients feel instant relief with these techniques. We can also add in a special blend of essential oils to help open up your sinuses! While we can’t get rid of the pollen, we are happy to help with at least some temporal relief!

New clients receive a 20% discount off their first one-hour massage! Call today to schedule your appointment! 919.322.8382

Spring is almost here!!

As we start to see more and more sunny days with warmer temperatures, it’s important to take care of ourselves and not over do anything.  Warming up before a workout or activity you have not done in a while is SO important along with stretching afterwards. It’s easy to get carried away when the weather finally makes a turn for the better! Another way to help reduce the risk of injury when starting new activities is, of course, massage therapy! Massage can help loosen tight overworked muscles and help them stay healthy. Massage is also great as it gives us an idea of what is going on in our body. Often our clients are surprised that a specific muscle was tight and they hadn’t noticed. It’s important to be aware of what is going on in our bodies so we know when things are getting overworked or stressed. Regular stretching and massage are great tools to keep our bodies in check as we start new routines with the warmer weather.

We are still accepting new clients and would love to have you at our office. New clients receive a 20% discount off their first one-hour appointment! Call today to schedule your next appointment 919.322.8382 !!

Give the gift of relaxation!

We are less than two weeks away from Christmas! Don't forget to get your Christmas gift certificates! All regularly priced massages will be 10% off! Schedule a time to pick them up in person or call to get them emailed to you. 919.322.8382 call today!

Massage Special- Bamboo Massage

We are finally getting a break from the cold weather, thank goodness! For the rest of January all Bamboo massages will be $10 off at Oak City Massage Therapy.  Here are a few things that make bamboo massage stand out and why it is a good option for all clients.

In bamboo massage, we use warm bamboo ratan tools. These tools are very firm and come in varying sizes. The bamboo is used similarly to hot stones, the therapist holds the bamboo and uses it to massage the muscles instead of their hands. The therapist can use the leverage from the bamboo tools to offer a much deeper pressure than with hot stones, or their hands/elbows. Bamboo massage originated in south Asia. Though it is unclear who originally started using bamboo for massage, many therapists across the world have adopted this technique.

Bamboo massage is beneficial for many reasons, we are going to discuss just a few of them.  The heat from the tools starts to relax your entire body, it will also help to loosen each muscle individually. Once the heat has loosened the body and muscles, the therapist can take full advantage of the leverage from the bamboo. The therapist can use deep pressure now that the muscles are in a more relaxed state, this allows the deep pressure to be comfortable and much more effective. With increased mental relaxation from the heat, and physically with the deep tissue massage, the client can get so much more out of their massage. Most people coming in to get a deep tissue massage are preparing for pain and discomfort, with a no pain no gain attitude. In this treatment,  you get all the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the pain.  

Bamboo massage sounds nice, but why is it the best option for you? It is a deep tissue massage with the added relaxation similar to a Swedish massage. If you are looking for a deep massage that won’t cause more pain then you were already in, this is the treatment for you. Similarly, if you are more interested in the relaxation you get from massage, bamboo massage gives an extra element that only increases the benefits.  

Call today to schedule your Bamboo massage! 919.322.8382 !!