Integrated Bodywork By Jennifer

09/02/2025

This month I am celebrating 20 years since I graduated Massage School & 15 years in private practice! 🙌🏻 Quite the milestone for a massage therapist! KS>KY>CA>MO>FL>KY>NY>NJ>KY>MO>???When I graduated massage school in Lexington, KY, I had no idea this career would take me all the places I have been. But more importantly, getting to meet so many people along the way that have been inspirations, mentors and close friends to me. I’m so grateful for them all. And I can’t even begin to start to thank all the clients that have molded and shaped me into the therapist I am today! 🙏🏻 Each client teaches me so much and I am blessed to have so many long-standing loyal ones that are essentially extended family to me! Many of you also know that my passion for Therapy and Massage began from my love for horses🐴 . I’m also proud to celebrate 20 years since I completed my first Equine massage course as well. I can’t begin to explain how much working on horses helps my human practice and vice versa. Horses are such emotional, intelligent and energetic creatures. While they don’t speak our language, they have have so much information to share when you listen. I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful equine clients and thoroughly enjoyed my year working on the horse racing 🏇 circuit getting to live out one of my career goals! But just like any career, the biggest key to longevity is self-care and taking care of yourself mentally and physically! I’m also very grateful for all the therapists that have taken care of me over the years to keep me doing what I love! 💖

Here’s a shout out to some of the people/places that have been a part of my journey…

Looking forward to many more years of service & helping people feel their best! 🙏🏻✨

03/26/2025

Exciting News: Now Offering Reiki Energy Healing

I am excited to announce that this past weekend, I completed level 1 & 2 Reiki training with a local Reiki Master Teacher from the International Center of Reiki Training. Over the years, I have received many Reiki sessions from various massage therapists and practitioners and find the modality to be very effective and a wonderful tool to add to my tool bag.

In short, Reiki is a Japanese stress reduction and relaxation technique that promotes healing and well-being by encouraging a healthy flow of energy through the body's Chakras or energy centers. In turn, it helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain. It is administered by lightly laying hands on the body or above the body in our energy fields. To read up more on this modality, you can visit reiki.org (http://www.reiki.org)

I will be adding Reiki to my menu as a separate service at an introductory price, but I can also incorporate it into any massage or designate a certain time frame of your session so you can specifically experience Reiki on its own. Please let me know at the beginning of your service if you would like to include it in your session.

Upcoming Travel & Schedule Changes

Spring is finally here, and you all might know, but it's my absolute favorite time of year. Longer days, sunshine, blooming flowers, and of course, baby horses!

Which brings me to my next announcement that I will be taking another small vacation this year in April back to my old Kentucky home to get my horse fix with friends. It will be shorter than last year, but it will take place from April 23rd-28th. So plan ahead and book online if you haven't scheduled your April massage!

In addition, since returning to Kansas City, I have allowed my work schedule to be flexible based on the demand of what days are convenient for my clients. While I plan to continue to work Monday - Fridays, including some evenings, you may notice a few more Saturdays blocked in the coming months to give myself a bit more of a work/life balance! I will definitely maintain a couple of Saturdays each month, but after 20 years, I feel it's time I explore what it's like to have a two-day weekend occasionally!

Tips to Get the Most from your massage!

Too often when a client comes in for a massage, we immediately start talking about your problem areas and what I should address during the session. I will admit, I often forget to bring up these topics but I wanted to give you all a list of some tips of how to make the most of your massage experience.

Before the Massage:

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before & after your massage to help rehydrate your body. ( I have a new Spring Water dispenser. Please help yourself!)
Communicate: Let me know about any specific areas of concern, pain, or preferences you have (music, heat on the table, areas you don't want to be touched/massaged).
Undress to your comfort level: I will always maintain professional draping throughout the session; however, if you would like the hip or gluteal muscles massaged, it can be beneficial to remove any underwear so I can access those areas.
Be considerate of strong smells: Please avoid applying strong perfumes or colognes before your massage, and please limit any cigarette smoking, va**ng, ma*****na, or alcohol use. Not only am I sensitive to these smells as your therapist, but the smells can linger in my treatment room and impact future clients that may have sensitivities or allergies as well.

During the Massage:

Relax and Breathe:
Focus on deep, slow breathing during the massage to promote relaxation and enhance the benefits of the treatment.
Move if you need to:
Often during a massage or bodywork (specifically my Flowtrition treatment) you may feel the urge to stretch or move as your body/nervous system starts to unwind. Please feel free to allow these movements as you sense them.
Communicate:
Don't hesitate to let your therapist know if the pressure is too light or too strong.
Be present:
Give yourself permission to be quiet and focus on the massage experience. I try to let my clients lead in any talking, but remember your time on my table is for you to relax and tune into your body.
Listen to your body:
Pay attention to how your body feels and communicate any discomfort or pain.

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03/19/2025

Made my Day! Sciatic nerve pain can be a bit psychotic! Fortunately massage can help.. along with other alternative therapies and exercises. Please don’t live in pain and seek out help!

12/24/2024

“It’s not how deep you go… it’s how you go deep! “

Deep Tissue with heavy pressure is an Old Myth! It’s our job as massage therapists to help the nervous system get out of fight or flight mode and work through the layers of tissue as the body allows to unwind.. If you force your way into a body you are essentially causing more trauma which is why clients feel sore or bruised afterwards. This is not helping the nervous system and can be harmful.

Always use your voice to speak up during a massage if your therapist is using pressure that causes you to tense up or is painful.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xVu4eHf4p96BXtXx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

So true!

11/04/2024

Celebrating 20 Years of Healing:
Discover My Exciting New Therapy Services!

It's hard to believe but this November marks my 20 year anniversary from starting massage therapy school! Crazy! As I hit this milestone I have been reflecting on my career, why I entered the profession, and where I want to go.

As many of you know, I was first interested in massage due to my love of horses and wanting to get into equine massage therapy on equine athletes. Little did I know my path would lead me to not only working on horses, but spending over 14 years building my own business in human massage and 6 years working in the spa industry including time spent working on professional athletes, dancers, singers, desk jockeys, assembly workers, teachers, lawyers, finance gurus, CEOS, counselors, student athletes...the list could go on and on.

The one thing everyone has in common is that they want to feel "better", reduce pain, relax, and unknowingly to them, share their unique story. It has been my privilege to earn the trust and respect of all my clients over the years and get to be a small piece of their healing journey and get to learn their story!

As I look forward to the future I am even more clear that my purpose as a massage therapist is purely to connect with my people and animals clients. While I certainly want to help you feel better and reduce pain, I also want to educate and empower you to tune into your body's innate wisdom to heal itself. As a massage therapist I have the unique opportunity to help you focus inward and listen to your body's needs.

So to celebrate my 20 years in the industry, I am revamping my menu to include not only my most popular services but a few new ones too. I continue to take continuing education classes and I am excited to keep expanding my offerings to some new types of therapy that in combination with massage can help you feel your best!

My new menu of services and pricing with be effective starting December 1st, 2024. I realize we are headed into the holiday season so I would encourage you to plan ahead if you are wanting to buy gift certificates early at my old pricing!

New Services:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) is a non-invasive technology that generates gentle electromagnetic pulses to pe*****te every cell, tissue, and organ, traveling to the bone to rejuvenate the body’s natural balance. Through this process, PEMF increases blood oxygen levels and stimulates cellular metabolism, which offers remarkable potential to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and other various health conditions without harsh side effects found elsewhere.
*Please see the website and talk to Jennifer for conditions that should not use PEMF technology prior to booking.

Flowtrition is a gentle touch that allows for the integration of life experiences stored in the body as tension in the nervouse system. The gentle light touches encourage the body to look in on itself and to make shifts. Everything that we experience is communicated to us through the nervous system. The healthier the nervous system, the healthier the communication. Giving the nervous system the opportunity to change is extremely beneficial on a physical and emotional level.

Combo Services: While I have always offered my extra add-ons at no additional cost I wanted to add a few specific focused services that address common problem areas. As always you can ask me in advance to customize your massage with a specific add-on including aromatherapies, gua-sha, cupping and hot-stones.

New Pricing:
30 Minute Massage $55
30 Minute Cupping $55
30 Minute Flowtrition $40

60 Minute Massage $90
60 Minute Pregnancy Massage $90
60 Minute Upper Body Fascia Fix (Cupping, Massage & Hot Stone) $90

75 Minute Massage $110
75 Minute Hot Stone Massage $110

90 Minute Massage $135
90 Minute Massage w/ Flow $135
90 Minute Bodypatterning $135
90 Minute Swe-Thai $135

2hr ALL THE THINGS Massage -$180
2hr 90 Minute Massage w/30 min Flow - $180

PEMF*
Upper Body Reset ( 30min PEMF, 30min Massage) - $90
30 Min Spot Treatment PEMF -$45
60 Min Full Body PEMF - $75

Give the Gift of Health This Holiday Season with A Massage Gift Certificate!

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09/03/2024

Blessed to be celebrating 14 years in business this month but in addition this fall also marks my 20 year anniversary since I started massage school! Craziness! Sometimes careers just pick you and they become your passion! I am blessed to have had so many mentors, teachers and clients that have helped me become the massage therapist I am today and continue to push me to learn and grow in the field! I am looking forward to many more years of helping others with their overall wellbeing!

08/18/2024

Come Try PEMF Therapy FREE with your Massage

Good News! I am back to work FULL TIME and to full capacity following my vacation injury! I'm so thankful to have had a speedy recovery with the help of all my Therapy/Rehab Technology tools/knowledge! And starting this month, I would like to introduce one of these technologies to all of YOU!

As many of you know, I recently spent a year working with Thoroughbred Race Horses at racetracks across the country helping them stay in top condition to compete at the top of their game. They are truly elite athletes and it was fun to learn about ALL the technology and rehab tools in addition to massage used to keep them performing to their full potential as athletes.

One of the technologies we used with the race horses is called PEMF Therapy which stands for Pulsed Electricmagnetic Field. This therapy harnesses the natural power of magnetic fields and provides a non-invasive way to boost cellular metabolism. PEMF can pe*****te deep into tissues, which may lead to a variety of health benefits, such as increased circulation, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and enhanced cellular repair.

A PEMF machine produces electromagnetic fields by pulsing a current through an attachment or coil. This creates the magnetic fields which vary in frequency, and intensity depending on the settings of the machine and the attached coil.

Once the electromagnetic fields pe*****te the body, they induce tiny electrical currents in the cells. This can stimulate the cells, promoting improved cellular function and health. It can increase ATP production (cellular energy), improve oxygenation, and help cells to detoxify and absorb nutrients more effectively.

As a result of the improved cellular function, users may experience various benefits. This can include pain relief, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, faster recovery, increased bone density, and enhanced overall wellness.

Not only is this technology being used on horses but also humans, livestock & even your furry pets!

This month I am trying out a small machine from Magnawave PEMF and would like to offer it to my clients at no extra cost so you can try out the technology. We can add it on as part of your massage ( can be done at the same time) or add an extra 15-30 mins if your time allows. Simply indicate when you book which option you would like. Or if you would simply like to stop in and try it out I have that option listed on my scheduler as well.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

There are few contraindications to take note of before signing up for PEMF:

Active Bleeding
PEMF increases the circulation in the body, which can increase blood flow to an area with active bleeding.

Battery-Operated Implanted Device
PEMF can drain the battery on battery-operated implanted devices (ex: pacemaker, defibrillator, cochlear implant, etc.). In extreme cases, PEMF may mess with internal wiring. If the battery cannot be removed or recharged, then do not conduct sessions.

Pregnancy
There is no research available.

Organ Transplant
PEMF has been shown to stimulate the immune system. If someone has received an organ transplant, they are most likely put on immunosuppressants for the body to accept the organ.

External Metal Fixator or Metal Screws
PEMF can be used over internal hardware, but we recommend speaking with a medical professional when using PEMF around external metal.

Some Stents
Check with a medical professional or the manufacturer to make sure they are compliant.

Medications
When someone uses medication alongside MagnaWave therapy, the PEMF exposure enhances cellular function. Consequently, this optimization may accelerate the metabolism of the medication. As a result, the medication’s effects could peak earlier and potentially diminish more rapidly, creating a potential window of reduced coverage between doses. Consult a medical professional in cases of:

Cancer
Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis
Autoimmune diseases
Blood Pressure
Hyperthyroidism
Stents

Protect Your Technology
When utilizing electromagnetic fields, the signal can travel up to 40 inches in the air and about 16 inches into the body. This electromagnetic field can interfere with electronic devices. We recommend keeping these devices a minimum of 6 feet away from your PEMF machine:

Credit Cards
Key Fobs
Cell Phones
Computers, Tablets, Laptops, Smart Watches, etc.
Hearing Aids
Wireless Headphones

To learn more about this technology please visit the Magnawave & Aurawell (human machines) websites

To book a session with PEMF, simply go to my online scheduler and choose the option with the time allotment you prefer. If you have any questions as to how to book or concerns regarding if it is right for you, please contact me directly.

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08/10/2024

It is where it’s Not! (Knot)

Feeling pain in the neck, shoulders, shoulder blades, ect…?

You may wonder why your massage therapist asks you what you do for a living, but it gives us a lot of information! Most of our issues in our tissues come from repetitive patterns in our daily lives.

The most common pattern is the forward reaching motion. Whether from desk jobs, driving, cooking, cleaning, or outdoor work we are constantly using this motion.

In addition, we put a lot of strain on our shoulders and neck if we don’t maintain proper posture. But what people don’t realize is that it’s not always coming from the back of the shoulder despite feeling discomfort there.

When we make the reaching forward motion so common with desk jobs, we are contracting our pectoral muscles (major and minor) and anterior deltoid.

When these muscles are tightened or shortened multiple times a day or possibly ALL day with a desk job you will lose ROM in those muscle tissues and fascia. This will cause your shoulder to be pulled forward which limits the movement in your shoulder blades and neck. Thus, creating the pain patterns so often felt in these areas!

So what can you do to counteract this pattern?

Open your pectoral muscles and front of your chest! One of my favorite stretches is the doorway stretch where you hook your arm at a right angle, step forward with the same side leg and turn the opposite direction! You can hold this for 30 seconds and repeat 3 to 5 times. But really you should do it every time you get up for a break!

This is also why I love to release the anterior deltoid and pecs during your massages! And often I will use cupping in this area! By opening up this tissue we can improve your posture and thus reduce pain and tension in the neck and shoulders!

08/02/2024

Easy Does It

As I mentioned in my last email, I had a ugly fall on vacation trying to sand sled and ended up with a separated AC joint (Clavicle/Shoulder Joint). Good News though, it is healing up and I have been given clearance from the orthopedic doctor to do what work I feel I am able. So I am easing myself back into things with a few appointments this week and next and see how things go.

After doing a few massages the past two days I feel confident that as long as I limit myself to a few sessions a day, I am ok to do regular massage. Obviously if you feel you need or want super deep tissue (which really isn't my style anyhow) then I won't be able to offer that for quite some time. But I can still do my normal therapeutic style bodywork that is usually a combination several modalities and customized to the client.

I am going to go ahead and open my books as normal so you can book online. Just note that I will have to limit how many bookings I take in a day so when you make your appointment request it is not automatically confirmed until I respond with your official confirmation email or text.

If you have any questions or concerns or need help booking please feel free to contact me directly!

I really appreciate everyone's patience and healing thoughts while I have taken this time to recover! I am excited to get back to work! Just need to take it slow and listen to my body as I preach to all of you!

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07/22/2024

Vacation Update

So...as you all know I was on vacation last week! Despite all the crazy IT tech outages around the world the good news is I actually made it home mostly on time. ( Thank Goodness!)

In addition, I should mention that my vacation was 95% absolutely fabulous! I took two of my nieces and a nephew out to Zion National Park/ North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Sand Dunes & a night in Vegas. My love language is quality time and it was just what I was hoping for with my sister's kids!

Now, for the not so great news...

One of our excursions was a ATV tour through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. This included the ATV ride, a small hike and a stop to try Sand Surfing/Sledding on the sand dunes. As you all know I am the adventurous soul so naturally I wanted to give everything a try! Well the guide described both options... the sand surfing that is similar to snowboarding which he indicated is definitely a risky option... or the sand sledding which he described in detail and he claimed was completely safe and nobody ever got injured, not even a 89 year old! What could go wrong?

Long story short, I chose the sledding option and my first run was super fun and successful, as were my nieces. On my second run he recommended I move over in the sand to a spot he thought would be smoother and faster. At the top I glanced over the edge and noticed it was steeper and kinda saw a bump at the bottom in the sand but since he suggested that run I just went for it! Turns out it was a bump and when my sled/board hit it I slung forward and went head first into the very hard sand. Needless to say it wasn't pretty and I scrunched my shoulder and ate sand in the process.
My initial concern was my head due to my previous experience with a concussion, but as time went on my shoulder/clavicle started to throb. So later that evening I made my way to the urgent care. Fortunately I did not break anything but I DID end up separating my AC joint! Ugh!

I was sent home with a sling and instructions to use OTC pain meds and in theory it was possible that it will heal up in a couple weeks. However, after talking to a few other people I am a bit skeptical of that time line and plan on following up with an Orthopedic this week.

So the bottom line is unfortunately for all of you AND me, I will be out of work for an undetermined amount of time. I am praying I can be a speedy healer and the separation is on the mild side so I can get back to work ASAP. But the fact is I just don't know what my status is until I talk with my doctor.

For anyone that has appointments scheduled in the next few weeks I am trying to get in touch with each of you and hopefully can reschedule you for down the road when I am back to work. In the mean time if anyone needs a referral for another therapist please let me know.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes anyone. Life certainly has a way of throwing curve balls and I have learned you just have to stay positive and think of everything as a learning experience. I will rest up, study up on all the speedy healing therapies for injuries that I learned about while working with the race horses and hopefully be back sooner than later!

Please send all your prayers/healing energy/vibes my way! I will keep you all posted on my recovery time line!

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04/26/2024

lol.. yes I agree.. that’s a no! Hygiene is a necessity!

Yep!! That’s a NO!!!

Just had a client ask for a 60-minute massage, but ONLY on their grossly black feet. Sorry, folks, I draw the line at toe-tal darkness!

Haha just kidding…

"

04/02/2024

Spring Schedule Update

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I wanted to share a quick update about my schedule for April/May!

As many of you know Kentucky is a place I travel to often due to my love of horses and my recent time spent working in the Thoroughbred Industry. This month I have arranged to spend 10 days there the end of this month from April 25th-May 5th and will be enjoying some time with friends, as well as doing massage on some people/horse clients in that area. Perfect combo of mixing work with pleasure during my favorite time of year to be in Kentucky!

While I realize this is an extended period away from my office in Kansas City, I wanted to give everyone a heads up so you can plan ahead with scheduling your massages before/after my trip so we can keep everyone on track with their wellness needs.

My online scheduler has been updated with the changes to my schedule so you are welcome to jump on and pre-book you massages for the end of the month. Let me know if you have any questions or need help booking.

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