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!

Price Change

Happy Spring!!

Starting in May, we will be increasing our 90 minute massage price to $130(previously $120). Our therapists work very hard to give you a great massage and we want to compensate them in a way that reflects their hard work. This is the only change to our pricing we will be making at this time.

We are so grateful for all of our clients and appreciate your business. Thank you for choosing Oak City Massage for your bodywork needs!

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

Couples Massage Class

We've been getting a lot more requests lately regarding our couples massage class, so I thought I'd write another blog about it, just to explain what the class is and what happens during the class. 

First of all, the class is private. It's just you, your partner and the massage therapist. You can expect to spend around 2 hours at the office and the cost is $145. We start the session with some brief paperwork and some general notes about massage. We cover how to set up at home if you don't have your own table, recommended oils/lotions, when to avoid massage and techniques.

  Once the paperwork and discussion are out of the way, we get the first partner on the table. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. We will be using sheets to drape while you are on the table. The massage will begin on the back, the therapist will work on one side of the back giving a demo, then give an opportunity for the partner to practice on the other side of the back. When the back is finished, we have the client turnover and work on the neck in the same fashion of the therapist first and then the partner will get to practice on the other side. When we finish with the neck we will work on either the scalp, hands or feet(you will choose this before the massage begins). That will conclude our session. We give each couple a copy of the protocol to do during the class.

      It's a very relaxed atmosphere, and we encourage each partner to give good feedback and ask any questions they may have during the session. Most clients comment how they do not feel worn out at the end and feel more confident in giving a longer massage. People also appreciate having a little bit more direction and new techniques for their at home massage. 

   While seeing a professional certainly has its place, being able to help your partner in a pinch or just on a more regular basis can be great. 

Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or to schedule your next appointment! 919.322.8382

Give the gift of massage this year!

It is always so difficult to decide what gift to give a loved one. More and more folks are more interested in experiences than things. Receiving the gift of massage and relaxation is always appreciated! Any regularly priced Christmas gift card will be 10% off for the month of December. To purchase a gift card, please email or give us a call so we can schedule a time for you to pick it up or have it emailed to you. 919.322.8382 or oakcitymassagetherapy@gmail.com

Stretching for Pain Management

Clients often ask their massage therapist how to manage the pain and discomfort they are experiencing whether acute or chronic. One of the best things anyone can do to help with muscle tension and joint pain is to stretch. Really, taking the time to do a full body stretch would give you many of the same benefits as a full body massage. Of course, not everyone has that kind of time these days. Still most folks can find time to stretch a little bit each day. However, I do hear clients tell me that even though they are stretching daily, they are not noticing any long term benefits from this. So, let’s discuss how you can stretch so that it actually helps reduce muscle tension and joint pain. 

The key thing to remember here is that until you stop whatever activity or incorrect movement pattern is causing the discomfort in the first place, it will be extremely difficult to fully get rid of it. Another thing to keep in mind is how long and often you are stretching compared with how long you are involved in the offending activity. Often the culprit of back, shoulder and neck pain is coming from a repetitive movement or non-movement (like at a desk job) for many hours a day. Stretching for 30 seconds once per day can hardly compete with 8+ hours of sitting at a desk or standing up all day or any other repetitive movement. My suggestion is to stretch many times per day while holding each stretch for at least 45 seconds. Taking breaks often when you have to be in the same position all day can make a huge difference. It’s also helpful to be sure you are sitting at an ergonomic station. Not holding the phone between your shoulder and ear and not crossing your legs are also some changes that can make a big difference. 

Seeing a massage therapist can help with muscle and joint pain, but it’s only one piece of the “puzzle”. Taking time to stretch throughout the day to limit offending activities is really what will make the biggest change.  

If you are looking for relief from chronic or acute muscle or joint pain, email or call today to schedule a 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

Welcome Back!

We are excited to announce that Amanda will be joining our team again. Check out her bio below and email or call to set up your next appointment today! 919.322.8382

Amanda Beresic NCLMBT # 14256

Amanda became a licensed massage therapist in 2011 after attending Palm Beach Academy in Lake Park Florida.  Prior to this, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University in 2006.   Her passion for Massage Therapy started when a physical therapist recommended massage to help with pain she was experiencing from a neck injury.  She realized that whether for pain management or relaxation, massage has so many amazing benefits. 

Amanda strongly believes in the benefits of prenatal massage.  Having two children of her own, she realizes how one of the happiest times in your life, can also be the most stressful.   Pregnancy brings on so many changes, physically and emotionally.   The mother is naturally concerned about the baby, but it’s important that she care for herself as well.   (Bonus – massage can be beneficial for the mother and the baby!)

Along with prenatal massage, Amanda also does various modalities including swedish, deep tissue and sports massage.  Her goal is to make sure your problem areas/concerns are addressed to the best of her ability.  She upholds the highest levels of respect and integrity to each individual client.  

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 !!

Welcome Alanna!

Hello my name is Alanna Harley. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany and moved around places in Europe as an army brat growing up. I’ve always been interested in a career that involves healing whether it’s with the mind or body work. At a young age in middle school I thought it would be interesting to have a career in counseling. My father discouraged me on that path but years down the road I realize a touch can be a very healing experience for somebody. My sister who has been in the spa business for around fifteen years encouraged me to look into massage and I decided to pursue it. I graduated in 2018 from Wake Tech Community College, Raleigh, NC. My interest leans towards the medical & sports aspects of massage. As an athlete myself, a kickboxer that likes to travel to Thailand every other year or so, in pursuit of the sport of Muay Thai- I find that massage is a wonderful tool in recovery. I also enjoy Thai massage which I studied in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2020. This inspires some of my work- acupressure, compressions & passive stretching. I also like to incorporate some trigger point therapy in my session if needed although it may not be too comfortable! I do a range of techniques; Thai, trigger point, medical & sports massage plus a few more modalities are all a part of my style. I like to continue learning techniques and staying on top of my anatomy reviews & studies. It’s been a rewarding experience as a bodyworker. I see the muscular body as a puzzle when it comes to pain- it can take a bit of time to solve but it is all connected.

Please call or email to schedule with Alanna! 919-322-8382

Returning Therapist

Hey Everyone! We are pleased to announce that Amanda will be starting again at Oak City Massage! Amanda was working with us before the pandemic, and she is excited to get back! Amanda has always been a great addition to our team and we are so glad she will be returning! If you have any questions or would like to schedule with Amanda please email or call us today! 919.322.8382

Amanda became a licensed massage therapist in 2011 after attending Palm Beach Academy in Lake Park Florida.  Prior to this, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University in 2006.   Her passion for Massage Therapy started when a physical therapist recommended massage to help with pain she was experiencing from a neck injury.  She realized that whether for pain management or relaxation, massage has so many amazing benefits.

Amanda strongly believes in the benefits of prenatal massage.  Having two children of her own, she realizes how one of the happiest times in your life, can also be the most stressful.   Pregnancy brings on so many changes, physically and emotionally. The mother is naturally concerned about the baby, but it’s important that she care for herself as well.   (Bonus – massage can be beneficial for the mother and the baby!)

Along with prenatal massage, Amanda also does various modalities including swedish, deep tissue and sports massage.  Her goal is to make sure your problem areas/concerns are addressed to the best of her ability. She upholds the highest levels of respect and integrity to each individual client.

AManda beresic nclmbt # 14256

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 !!

Couple's Massage Class

Hey Everyone!! Some how February is less than two weeks away… time sure is weird these days! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought I’d write a blog about our couples massage class we offer.

This class is great and the benefits totally make it worth your while! Our couple’s massage class is a private class for couples to learn some basic techniques for massaging the back, neck and your choice of scalp, feet, or hands. We focus on techniques that do not hurt your hands and still help with tension and knots. While you will not become certified in any way after this class, you will learn enough to do a basic relaxation massage with some specific techniques for common tension/ knots in the back and shoulders.

Going to a professional is great and sometimes it is necessary, but being able to massage each other when you just don’t have the time or money can be a life saver!

Please send us an email or give us a call if you’d like to schedule a class, you can also purchase a gift certificate for this class as well! 919.322.8382

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, everyone! 2020 has been quite the year. I am so glad that we’ve been able to continue working with many of our clients at Oak City Massage including several new clients. We are really missing everyone that has not made it back in yet and hope it will be safe to see you all by the end of this new year! Even though it was hard in some ways, I’ve really enjoyed all of the extra time with my daughter, who turned 2 in August. She has been growing and changing so much this year and I’m so grateful I got to witness more of that than I would have otherwise. I’m very excited to continue watching my daughter grow and learn as we get back to a, God willing, more normal year this year. Looking forward to what this new year will bring us. You are all amazing thank you for all of your support!

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!