Living Anew Therapeutic Massage, Megan Crystal-Mendes, LMT, CEIM

08/25/2025

I offer a combination session of Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Cupping. Cupping Therapy is an ancient alternative medicine practice where cups are applied to the skin to create suction, primarily aimed at promoting healing and alleviating pain. Many may recall seeing images of athletes like Michael Phelps with cup marks, which significantly contributed to the Western adoption of this effective healing modality.

The potential benefits of Cupping Therapy include:

- Clearance of debris and congestion from the body
- Enhanced immune function
- Reduction of pain and inflammation
- Release of deep muscle tension
- Softening of scar tissue and adhesions
- Stretching of muscle and connective tissue
- Increased range of movement
- Improved circulation
- Lymph fluid drainage and clearing of pathways
- Enhanced energy flow within the body
- Promotion of nervous system relaxation

I have observed remarkable results with clients experiencing range of motion limitations and deep adhesions, as well as decreasing inflamation. It is a decompression of the area, where massage compresses. Together the two modalities compliment eachother well.

When you get online to book your appointment choose my 60 or 90 minute combo session and lets see how cupping and massage, together, can help.

Looking ahead at availability...

TODAY, Monday, August 25th: 4:30pm
Tuesday, August 26th: 2pm
Wednesday, August 27th: 2pm, 3:30pm, & 5pm
Thursday, August 28th: 3:30pm

I definitely have time next week as well. Please reach out if you have questions about cupping or if you can’t find anything online that works for you.

Have a great week!

08/19/2025

I love my new Palo Santo holder! Thanks Richter! Y’all check out his stuff. It’s fantastic!

08/18/2025

How are your stress levels? How can you begin to lower them and calm your nervous system?

Lately, I've had many clients with heightened anxiety and stress. Some have been laid off. Some are in fear for their safety as members of minority communities. Many are just feeling a deep sense of dread or restlessness. So I have a few tips for you.

1. Schedule your Self-Care. Whether it's therapy, Massage, an hour to read a good book, floating in a float tank, taking an epsom salt bath, etc.

It's good to be flexible when it comes to listening to your body and feeling into what you need in that moment while also knowing that booking some of these things ahead of time can eliminate the stress of trying to book when the practitioner or you do not have time, last minute.

I tell clients all the time, just book your massage. Get it on the schedule. If you need to cancel just make sure you give me 24 hours notice to avoid a fee. Done. You're all set.

2. Create an "end of the workday" routine. When you have finished your workday, especially if you work from home, take time to breathe, and move your body. Clear your mind so you can transition to being present to being "home", whatever that looks like.

One thing I always recommend to my Desk Jockeys, as I call them, is to lay on your back on an exercise ball. One of those massive, blown up balls. Just lay on it.
* Let your head hang back to open up the front of your neck.
* Let your arms hang to the side to open up your chest.
* Roll down to open up your hip flexors.
* Take some deep breaths and clear your mind.
This is going to traction your spine open to the front body, and open your front body, which is something we never do as humans. Try it. As always, if it hurts in a bad way, do not do it. Listen to your body.

3. Turn off your phone. Put the phone down. Not only are we looking down too much with our shoulders rolled forward, which adds to more neck and upper back pain, but we are also taking in so much news and headlines that cause more stress.

We are all guilty of doom scrolling and feeling terrible. Instead, perhaps go outside and enjoy your porch or garden, or have a conversation with your friend, partner, or child. Connect to other humans in a meaningful way. Be present to what's happening in front of you with your dog or cat.

Little changes can make a world of difference.

I'm not sure if you've seen my new services yet, but I have a few new ones available.

60 or 90 minute Rest and Restore Sessions
60 minute Stretching Session.
30 minute Nap add-on to the end of any session

And don't forget about Cupping! If you haven't tried cupping yet, my combo sessions with massage and cupping have proven fantastic for people looking for more muscular relief. It's great for scar tissue, as well.

Here's what I have available for you this week...

Tuesday, August 19th: 11am or 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 20th: 2pm or 5:30pm

There is definitely time next week as well. As always, please feel free to text or call if you don't see anything available for you, online. I'm alway happy to move things around, if I'm able.

I hope you have a great week and I look forward to seeing you on the table soon!

Take care!

08/11/2025

Functional movements!

I’ve had a lot of clients talk about stretching.

“I don’t stretch enough”. 
“I’m not flexible”.
“I don’t stretch, like ever”.
“I hate stretching”. 
“I need a stretch routine to make it more fun”. 

I’ve heard it all. HA! So, I wanted to give you all this link. It’s a functional movement routine that might be of some help to you. I made the video when I was shut down during Covid-times, so please overlook any strange dialogue regarding staying at home. What a weird time..... 

It is a 5 minute routine that I have used...
First thing in the morning.
If I’m stiff throughout the day.
As a warm-up before massaging folks, a workout, or run.
As an active break during a long period of desk work.

I find it’s a much better alternative to simply sitting on the floor and stretching, and it accomplishes a lot in just 5 minutes instead of a much longer stretch session, which isn’t as easy to find time for throughout the day. 

There are lines of multidirectional connective tissue (Fascia) encasing all muscles and linking them together to coordinate a task together. Within this network of fascial lines are sensors that communicate to the nervous system feeding information about the state & rate of stretch as well as the amount of tension applied to the tissues. The brain will gather this data to make motor output decisions to complete a task. This functional movement routine helps to open up these fascial lines, waking up the sensors for the body to be prepared for load, or action, ie: your workout, physical activity or work day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3J-c4y1jEg
Enjoy!

To be clear, stretching is important, and I’d also recommend doing this 5 minute routine before doing a much longer stretch routine. It will get you warmed up so you might avoid injury during a static stretch routine where you might begin with cold muscles.

See you on the table soon!

07/31/2025

Need some recovery for your body after training hard, repetitive motions at work, or following an injury or surgery? Massage is super beneficial for all of those situations.

I actually have a couple of spots I added for tomorrow if you want to come in!

Friday, August 1st: 10am and 1pm.
Book online at www.vagaro.com/lat56q
or shoot me a text/call.
See you soon!

07/16/2025

Just a quick note to let you know I had a last minute cancellation for tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 16th @ 1:30
And one more open…
Thursday, July 17th @ 4pm

Click the link below to book online or feel free to reach out through text.

Have a great week and see you soon!

Megan at Living Anew Therapeutic Massage is dedicated to empowering you through massage and bodywork, as well as self-care education to feel and be at your best.

07/01/2025

Today, 11 years ago, I started Living Anew Therapeutic Massage!

What a ride!

21 years as a Massage Therapist and I’m just so grateful to be here, still doing it.

It’s a special thing to be a part of the lives of others so intimately. I’ve heard stories of deep pain and suffering, of new jobs and raises. I’ve held space for people who just needed an ear to listen or a chat, or silence, while they let go of the stress and tension in their body, or for people who just needed to cry as they let it all go. I’ve helped people through injuries and surgeries, and been there when they’ve lost loved ones. There is so much more to massage therapy than just muscle work, and I can’t tell you how honored I am to be a witness to the lives of others. It’s been a gift and truly beautiful.

Thank you to all of my clients for allowing me to be a part of your self-care team! I appreciate you and love all of you, dearly!

06/27/2025

Just a quick note to let you know I have a couple of appointments available next week before the 4th of July holiday weekend. I will be out of the office from the 3rd through the 10th.

Here's what I've got for you:

Tuesday, July 1st: 11am
Wednesday, July 2nd: 1:30pm

Upon my return:

Friday, July 11th: 10am

Book online here: https://www.vagaro.com/lat56q/

05/30/2025

Change is afoot…

Vagaro bought my scheduling/merchant service system, Schedulicity. I’ve used schedulicity for 11 years now and the last thing I wanted to do was learn a new system, but here we are, doing it together! Yay!!!

I made the migration over today and it “should” be ready for you to use. Your log-in will be the same as Schedulicity unless you already have a Vagaro account for another service.

Check it out, and as always, reach out if you have any problems navigating through.
https://www.vagaro.com/lat56q

04/24/2025

Needing some TLC? I have some space for massage today! Yay!
Book online here:
https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/LAT56Q

03/10/2025

Need to relax and get away for a minute? I just had a cancellation for this week!!!
Wednesday, March 12th: 1:30pm!
Come on in!!!!

03/03/2025

Happy Women’s Month!!! This is your reminder to schedule in your self care!
Here’s what I’ve got coming up!
Mon, March 10th: 1:30pm & 3pm
Wed, March 12th: 3pm
Tues, March 18th: 2pm & 3:30pm
Thur, March 19th: 11am, 12:30pm, & 2pm
Book online here:
https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/LAT56Q