1.  Not a good idea to come in with a sun burn.  I won’t massage  someone who has a sun burn unless it is limited to an area that I can avoid.  It may not seem that hot on some days but the sun is very intense here at Tahoe and it’s easy to burn, so always put on your sunscreen before you go outside.

2.  Tahoe is a great place to party, please limit your alcohol intake the night before you come in for your massage and drink lots of water. Massage is pushing toxins from your muscles into the blood, so if you’ve had too much the night before chances are it’s still in your system and massage is not going to make you feel better. If you’ve been drinking the same day as your massage I will have to reschedule your massage for another day.  Massage increases blood flow therefore drinking is a contraindication.

3. During the summer Tahoe has a lot of road construction, please be prepared and leave a little bit early.  If you are going to be late just give me a call and let me know.

4. When calling to book an appointment if you’re not able to book online please know that I will call you back as soon as I can.  Unfortunately sometimes I go to areas that don’t have cell service and if I have a few clients at that location it may take me a couple of hours to get back to you.  Don’t worry my online schedule is always updated so I won’t miss any appointments.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer here in Lake Tahoe, I look forward to seeing you for your next massage.

Jill

In my years of training some of the types of massage I have learned are swedish, deep tissue, acupressure, sports, reflexology, pregnancy, and hot stones.  These are the main ones that I combine.  If there is some type that you have heard of or have been given and would like again, ask and if I have knowledge of it I will offer it to you.  Remember though all massage therapists are different and what one offers, the next one may not so you need to find the person who can offer you the type that you enjoy and benefit from.

I look forward to seeing you,

Jill

If you would like to book online hit the schedule now button and register to use schedulicity for free.  I have been using this booking system for a few months now and have found it to be very reliable.  Once you have scheduled an appointment I am sent an email and a text letting me know about the appointment.  If you write a message it may take a little bit of time for me to get back to you if I am with a client when I receive the message.

During the summer I am very busy and it is best to schedule your appointment ahead of time.  I do my best to accommodate everyone but am not always able to schedule same day appointments during the busy season.

Thanks for reading this, I look forward to seeing you for your Lake Tahoe Massage,

Jill

Acute injuries also cause common signs and symptoms of injury such as pain, tenderness, redness, skin that is warm to the touch, swelling and inflammation.

Chronic injuries, on the other hand, can be subtle and slow to develop. They sometimes come and go, and may cause dull pain or soreness. They are often the result of overuse, but sometimes develop when an acute injury is not properly treated and doesn’t heal.

So, with the two types of injuries in mind let’s now look at how to treat each with ice or heat.

Ice is the best immediate treatment for acute injuries because it reduces swelling and pain. Ice is a vaso-constrictor (it causes the blood vessels to narrow) and it limits internal bleeding at the injury site. Apply (wrapped) ice to the affected area for 10-15 minutes at a time. Allow the skin temperature to return to normal before icing a second or third time. Cold therapy is also helpful in treating some overuse injuries or chronic pain in athletes.

Heat therapy is generally used for chronic injuries or injuries that have no inflammation or swelling. Heat therapy is effective in treating sore, stiff muscle or joint pain, and in relaxing tight muscles or muscles with spasms. It is best to apply heat before exercise, however, ice is the better choice after exercise on a chronic injury. Heat increases circulation and raises skin temperature, therefore it should not be applied to acute injuries or injuries that show signs of inflammation. Heat should be applied 15-20 minutes at a time and enough layers should be used between the heating source and your skin to prevent burning. Remember to always see your doctor if your injury does not improve or gets worse within 48 hours.

Neck Sprain or Neck Strain
The term neck sprain is used when a ligament is injured. There are seven bones (in your spinal column) in your neck called cervical vertebrae. These bones are connected to each other by ligaments, which are very strong bands of tissue. When the neck is moved in an extreme position, it is possible to over-stretch or tear the ligament. The term, neck strain is used when there is injury to the muscle or tendon. Like ligaments, if muscles are stretched too far, or if they are stretched while contracting, it is possible to tear or over-stretch the neck muscles and/or tendons.

Symptoms of Whiplash
Typically, neck pain is experienced immediately following impact. In the case of neck sprain, pain can often occur several days later. Other common symptoms of whiplash may include:

- neck stiffness
- muscle pain and tension
- headaches and dizziness
- shoulder pain and back pain.

Whiplash is treatable and most symptoms will resolve over time; however, early intervention is key to a speedy recovery. If left untreated, pain and discomfort may become chronic and could affect the quality of your life, so be sure to consult with your physician and massage therapist immediately following a whiplash injury.

Treatment of Whiplash
Medication – Anti-inflammatory and pain medication may be prescribed by your physician.
Ice – Apply ice or a cold pack to the neck for 15-20 minutes several times a day. This helps reduce pain and swelling. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.
Heat – Heat can help to relax tight or injured muscles. Heat should only be applied where there is no swelling or inflammation.
Massage – Massage therapy is one of the most effective therapies for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculoskeletal system. Massage therapy can help relax the muscles, increase and maintain range of motion, decrease stress and tension, increase circulation, and prevent and breakdown scar tissue formation.
Chiropractic – Chiropractic treatments can also help return movement to restricted spinal joints and to improve the overall mechanics of the spine. Remember to always consult with your family physician before you initiate or change your treatment plan.