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!!

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

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!!

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

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

What to Expect at Your First Massage

Massage can be helpful for so many things including muscle pain, headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping, sport training, pregnancy aches/pains, as well as many more! So why do people opt for medication and expensive treatments before trying massage? I think one of the big reasons is they are unsure of what to expect when they get a massage.  I  think knowing what to expect at a massage will give some folks a peace of mind and help them to be more open to this treatment option. So, today we are going to discuss just exactly what to expect at your first massage. 

At Oak City Massage Therapy, we do our best to be as professional as possible. Our main goal is that you feel you are getting the best treatment possible and leave feeling better than when you came in. Knowing exactly what to expect when you come in will only give you a better experience at our office.

The first thing that will happen when you come into the office is you will be greeted and given a health history form. This form gives the therapist information that may pertain to your injury whether it is the cause, making it worse or not effecting it at all.  It is helpful to look at past injuries and surgeries and deduce whether they may be playing a part in your current situation.  It is also important for your therapist to know of any known allergies as well as medications you are taking as these may affect the treatment.  Next, your therapist will discuss your form with you as well as what you are specifically hoping to accomplish during your session.  This is very important as it will shape the entire session. We will use techniques that will best suit each complaint. While we do our best to listen to our clients, we will also explain why some things we do may seem pointless, but will address the probable cause of the pain rather than only the symptom.  After going through the treatment with you, we will then step out of the room for you to undress to your comfort level. To your comfort level means if you would rather leave your clothes on, that is completely fine. If you do prefer leaving your clothes on we may suggest wearing comfortable shorts and t-shirt/tank top for your treatment. You will then get onto the massage table underneath a sheet and blanket. You will be completely covered during the entire session, we will only uncover each area as it is being worked on. During the session, your therapist will check in with you to confirm the pressure with you. It is extremely important for you to let your therapist know if something is painful, you are getting a massage to reduce pain not add to it. It is also important for you to let your therapist know if you feel like you need more pressure in an area. At the conclusion of your massage, your therapist will let you know that the session has ended and you may take your time to get up and dressed and meet them out front. At this point your therapist may offer some suggestions based on what they found during the massage, whether that is some stretching that may be helpful or setting up a return visit to continue working on an especially difficult area. 

It is important to note that one massage is not going to be a cure all.  Chronic pain, which is usually a result of everyday stress on your body takes time and a change of habit to truly feel better. Though massage will give a temporary relief, if you continue in habits which cause the pain in the first place it will certainly return. In some cases massage is not the answer and your therapist will do their best to refer you out the best practitioner for your complaints. 

We hope this helps and look forward to working with you soon!! To schedule your appointment email or call 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 !!

Now open on Sundays

We are excited to now offer Sunday hours! Starting this week, we will now be open on Sundays from 10:30am until 4pm. If you are busy on the weekdays or find it more relaxing to come in on a Sunday please email or call to schedule your session today! 929.322.8382

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