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!!

Announcement!

Hey Everyone, I hope you are all getting into the holiday spirit, but also taking time to relax this season! 

Many of you already know, but I wanted to officially share that my husband and I are expecting our second child! We are so excited to be adding to our family and are so looking forward to meeting our new baby girl at the end of January! 

I am hoping to work until delivery, unfortunately it’s just an estimate so we’ll see when that actually happens. As of right now I am stopping scheduling the week of January 22nd and may pick up some same day appointments that week if I’m still not delivered and feeling well. If anything happens before that time all of my scheduled clients have contact info easily accessible and myself, Amanda or Alanna will reach out to you and help you get rescheduled. I will be returning to work sometime in late spring.

We are so excited and look forward to this next chapter of our lives. Thank you for all your support and congratulations!

Now Selling Christmas Gift Cards!

 Having trouble deciding what to get someone for Christmas? What about the gift of relaxation? All Christmas Gift Cards will be 10% off! There is no limit and you can buy a gift card(s) for yourself. Christmas gift cards can not be used before Christmas. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

You may purchase a gift card over the phone and have it emailed. You may also schedule a time to come into the office and pick up a physical gift card. 

Email or call today to get your Christmas Gift Cards! 919.322.8382

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

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

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 !!

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!

Aromatherapy in Pregnancy

A couple of weeks ago I took a very interesting class on essential oils in pregnancy, which included prenatal, labor and postpartum information. The class was at Botanically Rooted in Greensboro and taught by Kim Seymour. I learned so much in the class and I'm excited to share some of that here and going forward in my business.

   While essential oils smell wonderful they have much greater effects than just freshening the air! While their effects take place immediately upon inhalation, applying them topically can add to the benefit. Inhaling essential oils helps to balance your mood, strengthen your immune system and help with sleep, just to name a few. Applying them topically can help to alleviate pain, reduce cramping, calm itchy skin and repair damaged skin. In pregnancy, essential oils can help with, nausea/morning sickness, fatigue, swelling, stretch marks, sinus congestion, sleep problems, emotional and psychological adjustments and achy/painful muscles.

   Essential oils can be very beneficial, but caution must be used. While they may seem harmless, essential oils are not benign and can have negative side effects if not used correctly, due to their ability to pass the blood brain barrier. Generally, they should be avoided during the first trimester unless you are being treated by a certified/licensed aromatherapist. Essential oils should always be used diluted to .5%-2% when being used with pregnancy. There are also several essential oils that should be avoided altogether during pregnancy. Unless you are being directed by a certified/licensed aromatherapist, ingesting essential oils is highly discouraged and can be dangerous whether pregnant or not.

    Though we must be intentional about our use of essential oils, they can be extremely beneficial. They can easily increase the benefits of any massage, as well as give you relief for certain ailments at home. For more information on essential oils, check out these resources below:

Botanically Rooted, Greensboro, NC: https://botanicallyrooted.com/

Tisserand Institute: https://tisserandinstitute.org/

Oak City Massage Therapy will soon be offering essential oil blends as ad-ons, for pregnancy and more!

Temporary Changes at Oak City Massage

Hey Everyone! I am very pleased to announce that my husband and I are expecting our first child in August of this year! We are so excited and can barely wait for these next three months to go by! 

I am also happy to announce that while I am out (I am planning to return!!! ) I have found a wonderful therapist to come in and work at the office a couple of days a week. Her name is Amanda Beresic and you can check out her bio here! There will be more blog posts to update you on her official schedule as that time gets closer. She will be starting a couple of days a week in June. I have known Amanda for a few years now and she is one of the therapists I go to for my own massages. I am confident in her abilities and I think she will be a great fit for this office. From now until the end of July, if you have been to Oak City Massage before,  your first visit with Amanda will be like a new client visit and 20% off.

Though she is starting in June, I will continue to work as long as possible, unfortunately it is difficult to say exactly how long that will be at this point. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for your understanding during this time of transition for my family and business. You are all awesome!! 

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.

Pregnancy Massage

After recently completing Claire Marie Miller's Nurturing the Mother Certification class, I am excited to now offer a more comprehensive massage for expecting and new mothers. 

Pregnancy is so exciting and wonderful, but it can also be hard on the body and in some ways a little scary, especially if you have never experienced it before. Massage therapy can be such a huge help during and after pregnancy.

While you are pregnant, your body is going through so many changes. Your total body water increases, organs are moving to make room for your growing uterus. Your body is releasing hormones that effect your ligaments and tendons holding your uterus as well as all over your body, which is causing them to relax and stretch. Your hips and low back are getting used to carrying the extra weight, shoulders can be pulled forward due to enlarged breast size. These and so many more changes are occurring in your body and it can be difficult to adjust. Prenatal massage focuses specifically on things going on in a pregnant women's body and helps to alleviate added tension and stress on the body. 

Along with all of the physical changes, pregnancy can be taxing mentally as well as emotionally. There will be a lot of new changes once the baby is born and it's hard to imagine what that will be like. Getting massage while you are pregnant will help you to relax and most importantly get out of your own head, at least for a little while. Once your mind and body have a chance to really let go, you will be amazed at how great you feel, and you can really enjoy your pregnancy! 

Postpartum massage is just as important as prenatal massage, if not more. Your body will now be going back to it's pre-birth state and that is so key. With the stresses of a new born including lack of sleep, it is important to set aside time for yourself to recover. Some women are so busy with the new baby and possibly older children that it can be easy to ignore the fact that you've just given birth and have gone through some major bodily changes. Getting yourself back to your pre-birth body takes time and patience and massage can really help here. With a massage focused on all the needs of the new mother, we are bringing the body and mind back together.

Pregnancy is such a beautiful life experience and I would love to be a part of this journey with you. Click Here to find out more about pregnancy massage at Oak City Massage. If you have any questions about pregnancy massage, would like to schedule an appointment or purchase a gift card please send a message or call today! 919.322.8382