Peaceful Alchemy

11/20/2025

To learn more about how CBD can be thoughtfully integrated into massage practice, AMTA spoke with Bill and Morgan, co-founders of CBD Stat—a company specializing in high-quality topical CBD products.

11/19/2025

“Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

Michelle Obama

11/19/2025

The sums it up perfectly and I could never put all my words together this perfectly- this is why I moved into working more deeply with nervous system regulation. 💗
Many of my sessions this year have blown my mind on so many levels.

Most bodyworkers have heard clients say things like “I don’t know why I’m crying,” “I feel like something just released,” or “I suddenly feel lighter.” For years, we trusted our hands more than the textbooks and held space for what rose to the surface. Now, Polyvagal Theory gives us the science that explains what we have felt beneath our palms all along.

Created by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, the Polyvagal Theory describes how the vagus nerve perceives the world through sensations, tone, posture, breath, and touch. It shows us that emotional expression is not random; it is the language of the autonomic nervous system, shifting between states of protection and connection. The body releases emotions not because it is dramatic or fragile, but because it has finally found a moment when it feels safe enough to let its survival patterns soften.

When a client enters your space, their nervous system is already speaking. A body in sympathetic activation feels taut, warm, guarded, quick to brace. These clients often require a gentle, calming contact that signals to their system that it no longer needs to run or fight. A body in dorsal vagal shutdown has a different pulse altogether. It may feel heavy, distant, or unreachable. These clients respond to warmth, presence, and gentle, patient pacing that invites them back into their bodies without overwhelming them. And when a client is in ventral vagal engagement, the system opens. Breath deepens, tissues receive, and deeper work becomes possible. Their body is ready to reorganize the old patterns it no longer needs.

Understanding these states is not about labeling people; it is about listening to the stories their nervous systems are telling beneath the skin. Touch becomes more ethical, more attuned, and more transformative when we understand the state of the body and how to meet it. The Polyvagal Theory provides us with a language for what somatic practitioners have sensed for generations. It teaches us that emotional release is not a mysterious or mystical phenomenon. It is biological. It is the body stepping out of survival and into safety.

As bodyworkers, we do not force emotion out of the body. We create the conditions where the body feels safe enough to release what it has carried for far too long. The more we understand the vagus nerve, autonomic states, and Polyvagal Theory, the more skillfully we can support clients as they unwind, soften, tremble, breathe, and release. This is where art meets science, where intuition meets anatomy, and where the human body remembers itself through touch.

Tomorrow, I will dive deeper into Polyvagal Theory and how each autonomic state influences the emotional responses we observe on our tables. For now, know this. Emotions are not just thoughts; they are physiological and reside in the body.

11/19/2025

Half-day retreat for massage therapists Nov 22 in Spring Lake, MI. Learn myofascial techniques, body mechanics & self-care. 4 CEs. Only 12 spots!

11/19/2025

Castor Oil Packs: Ancient Remedy, Modern Wonder

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

What is a Castor Oil Pack? 🛁🌿
A Castor Oil Pack is a therapeutic cloth soaked in cold-pressed castor oil (from the seeds of Ricinus communis) placed on the skin—typically over the liver, abdomen, or lymph nodes. Covered with a barrier (wool) and warmed with a hot water bottle or heat pack, this ancient remedy has stood the test of time—from Cleopatra’s beauty rituals to 21st-century detox protocols ✨.

Let’s Talk Science 🔬🧠
Why is castor oil more than just an old wives’ tale? Science is catching up:

1. Ricinoleic Acid – The Star Ingredient ⭐
About 90% of castor oil is made up of ricinoleic acid, a rare unsaturated fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects 💥.

Research Highlight:
A 2009 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that ricinoleic acid activates EP3 prostanoid receptors—which are involved in immune function modulation, pain regulation, and smooth muscle contraction. That means castor oil can calm inflammation, ease pain, and stimulate flow—especially in the lymphatic and digestive systems 🌿💪.

Benefits of Castor Oil Packs
Here’s what the research and clinical practice suggest these gooey little wonders can do:

1. Lymphatic Drainage Booster 🌀💧
The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart—it relies on movement and flow. Castor oil packs may stimulate lymphocyte production (white blood cells), encouraging better lymph drainage and detoxification 🚿.

Clinical Insight:
A study from The Townsend Letter for Doctors reported increased lymphocyte counts within hours of castor oil pack application—suggesting improved immune and lymphatic activity 🧬.

2. Liver Love & Detox Support 🌿🫀
Placed over the liver, castor oil packs may improve liver enzyme function and bile flow—essential for detoxification, hormone balance, and digestion 🌱.

3. Gut Health & Constipation Relief 🚽💨
One of the oldest uses of castor oil is for constipation relief. Packs applied to the abdomen may support peristalsis (bowel movement) and reduce bloating and cramping 🫃.

Bonus: A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2011) showed that elderly participants with constipation experienced significant improvement using abdominal castor oil packs ✅.

4. Hormone Harmony & Menstrual Relief 🌸🕊️
Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory nature may help relieve menstrual cramps, support ovarian and uterine health, and even help with fibroids and cysts (when used consistently with professional guidance) 💗.

How To Use a Castor Oil Pack
It’s as simple as 1-2-3: ✨

You’ll Need:
• Cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil 🧴
• A piece of flannel or wool (about the size of your hand) 🧵
• A protective cloth or sheet 🧼
• Hot water bottle or heating pad ♨️
• Old clothes or towels (because it will get messy!) 🧺

Step-by-Step:
1. Soak the flannel with castor oil until it’s saturated but not dripping 🌊.
2. Place it over your target area (liver, abdomen, joints, lymph nodes) 🎯.
3. Cover with your protective layer 🧻.
4. Add heat and relax for 30–60 minutes ⏳.
5. Repeat 3–5x per week for best results 📆.

Pro Tip: Do not use during menstruation or pregnancy unless cleared by a professional 🚫🤰.

Who Should Avoid Castor Oil Packs?
• Pregnant women (castor oil can stimulate uterine contractions) ⚠️
• Active infections or open wounds at application site 🛑
• Allergy to castor oil (always patch test!) 🧪

In a Nutshell… 🥥💚
Castor oil packs are like nature’s version of a warm hug: soothing, detoxifying, and deeply nurturing to your organs and lymphatic flow 🫶. With modern research backing what ancient cultures knew, they’re a safe, accessible tool for anyone on a healing or wellness journey 🌍✨.

So grab your oil, wrap yourself up, and let the healing begin 🌙.
Because sometimes, the simplest remedies are the most profound 🌿💫.

©️

11/18/2025

I have GIFT CERTIFICATES ❤️

11/18/2025

You can experience the sound lounge mat in my suite anytime!
I also add the heated HealthyLine gemstone healing mat (jade, tourmaline, amethyst) and weighted blanket with my sessions to keep you cozy warm!
$50- 40 minute session
$75- 70 minute session

11/18/2025

Consistency!!! Only about 1/2 my clients rebook every 2-4 weeks.
Those that only come in when they can’t tolerate the pain anymore will never get consistent pain relief because they don’t stay ahead of it.
Regular sessions help to keep muscles relaxed, and keep the nervous system in a more regulated parasympathetic state.
Don’t wait for the discomfort feelings to return- stay one step ahead of it.
*** 20+ years experience 😉

“Why do massage therapists charge so much per hour?”

A question we hear often — and a great one.

The hour you spend on the table is only a fraction of the work your therapist does. Massage is incredibly physically demanding, so we’re limited in how many clients we can safely and effectively treat each day.

Behind the scenes, there’s a lot more happening: endless loads of laundry (yes, every client gets fresh, clean sheets), marketing, scheduling, cleaning, client notes, and bookkeeping. Add to that the overhead no one sees — rent, taxes, insurance, continuing education, and the steady supply of oils, tools, and linens that keep a practice running.

And unlike traditional jobs, massage therapists don’t get paid vacation or paid sick days. When we’re sick or recovering from an injury, we simply can’t work. Our rates help us save for those unavoidable days so we can continue caring for you long-term.

But here’s the real heart of it: regular massage isn’t just a service — it’s an investment in your body’s long-term well-being.

For many clients, consistent treatment reduces chronic pain, improves mobility, calms the nervous system, and restores a quality of life they thought they’d lost. The value of waking up without that constant ache, moving without fear of a flare-up, or finally sleeping through the night is priceless.

When you book a session, you’re not paying for just an hour of massage; you’re supporting skilled, thoughtful care that helps you feel and function better every day.

Thank you for supporting the work that supports you. 💛

11/18/2025

✨Revised November Schedule

Monday, November 24~ 12:30, 2:00
Tuesday November 25~ 1:30

Schedule adjustments can be made.
If you require a different day/time, please call or text me.
6162182460

11/16/2025

Just a reminder!!
This includes your Massage Therapist too! 😉

Weekend appointments will also now require payment up front starting Dec 1, 2025.

11/16/2025

This isn’t a trend — it’s physiology.

The vagus nerve is one of the longest and most complex cranial nerves, influencing numerous systems involved in autonomic regulation, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and stress-response pathways.

You can think of it as part of your body’s natural “healing switch”, and extreme stress can dysregulate this nerve; especially prolonged stress.

I offer many different somatic modalities to help you start to calm your vagus nerve and begin to feel more balanced and regulated.

11/16/2025

✨A bathing ritual before bed can help encourage a deep, restorative night's sleep, and calm and soothe your nervous system.