Courtney Milligan LMT

Courtney has openings left this week. 1:00 pm on Tue the 12th 10 am on Wed the 13th 11 am on Friday the 15th... Lynn has openings on Monday and Saturday. Call the office to book 573-693-9799 or text 573-434-2077 Thanks

Don't forget to vote. Were nominated in 3 categories under Health & Fitness, Best Day Spa Best Massage Best Massage Therapist ... Thanks, friends.

You most likely schedule a massage to float into a euphoric state of relaxation and get some relief from tight muscles, pain, or injury. However, as part of the... healing process, you may feel some degree of muscle soreness or tightness afterward. Just as you may feel sore after a workout, massage can stimulate areas of your body that you haven’t targeted recently. If you’re feeling pain in a certain part of your body, you may unconsciously ignore this spot, which can cause tension. A massage can highlight areas of your body where you’re holding on to tightness. Certain types of massage, such as deep tissue, are more likely to cause post-massage soreness. If you’re super sensitive, have a lot of pain or tension, or simply want to avoid feeling sore afterward, opt for a massage that uses a light, gentle pressure. Read on to learn more about why you may feel sore after a massage, how to minimize discomfort, and the different types of massage available. Why does this happen? It’s normal to feel sore after a massage. The technique carries blood and nutrients to your muscles while eliminating toxins. After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscle soreness. This is a physical response to the inflammation as your body heals. This can happen if your muscles aren’t accustomed to massage or if you have lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in your body. In the same way that your body gets used to working out, your muscles need time to get used to being manipulated in certain ways. You may experience inflammation and soreness in areas that need healing. If you have neck pain after a massage, for example, it can be a sign that you carry a lot of tension in that area. You may have limited flexibility and mobility in your neck due to working at a desk or bending forward repeatedly. If you haven’t had a massage recently or if it’s your first one, it’s more likely that you will feel sore afterward. Your body will create muscle memory if you have frequent massages, so aim to be regular with your sessions when possible. 9 ways to relieve soreness Usually, any post-massage soreness will subside within a day or so. In the meantime, there are several ways to relieve soreness. 1. Stay hydrated Drink plenty of water before and after your massage. This helps flush away toxins or acids that come to the surface during your massage. Avoid alcoholic, sugary, and caffeinated drinks. Along with water, opt for healthy options such as coconut water, fresh fruit or vegetable juice, or herbal teas. 2. Stretch it out Following your massage, do a few gentle stretches on your own. This helps release muscle tension, improve flexibility, and improve circulation. It’s also a great way to tune into your body, alleviate stress, and quiet your mind. 3. Heat therapy Warm your body up to promote relaxation. Take a hot shower or go to the sauna. Add baking soda or Epsom salt to a bath and soak for up to 30 minutes. You can also use a heating pad or hot rice bag on any painful areas for up to 15 minutes at a time. 4. Essential oils You can also use essential oils for pain relief. Add a few drops to your bath or shower or use a diffuser. Or, you can combine essential oils with a carrier oil for topical application or to use in a compress. 5. Topical treatment Applying a muscle rub or CBD lotion is also a great way to administer self-massage a few times per day. You can spend a few minutes applying the ointment while giving yourself a mini-massage in the process. 6. Herbal relief There are several herbs that may stimulate muscle relaxation and reduce inflammation. You can take them as a capsule, tincture, or tea. Some herbal options include: turmeric clove black pepper ginger cinnamon garlic cayenne 7. Rest Take time to rest and recharge. If you can, build in time to rest after your massage. Elevate your feet and legs with pillows and take some time to listen to your favorite music, read a book, or sleep. 8. Guided meditation Lie on a cushioned mat or bed and listen to a mindfulness recording. This could take the form of a guided meditation, a body scan, or yoga nidra. Check in with your body and notice where you can release tension. 9. Cold therapy Use an ice pack on any painful areas for 15 minutes at a time a few times per day. Or, take an ice bath to relieve inflammation, alleviate soreness, and boost blood flow. To target a small area of the body, you can use a small container of ice.

Our Black Friday Sales punch cards are here. (Buy 4 Get 1 Free) We've had so many of you call and ask, so we’re going to go ahead and start selling them now. I...f you have Venmo, you can pay that way or you have to come into the office anytime between now and Saturday. Happy holidays, friends. See more

November is just around the corner. Book your massage today!!

Have you been curious about raindrop therapy? Try our mini add-on session and see what all the hype is about!