Oasis Therapies by Phoebe Fernandes

12/16/2025

Using coffee as a detoxifier and firming scrub? YES! Make your own at home. Cane Sugar, Ground Coffee beans, Shredded Coconut (not sweetened), Olive Oil, Honey, 5 drops Essential oil you prefer. Mix in a bowl and let sit at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Rub on the skin of the legs and arms and belly. Let sit and rinse off completelyly. Apply oils after the shower and enjoy!

Send a message to learn more

12/08/2025

What is a Trigger Point and How to Relieve Them?

Sometimes during treatment you might hear the words trigger point. First, trigger points are an area of hypersensitivity with in a taut band of muscle fiber. A trigger point is painful upon compression. It can give rise to referred pain, tenderness, visual distortions and disturbances (flashing lights & colors), watering of the eyes, skin temperature changes. It is interesting to note that all “knots” are trigger points but not all trigger points are “knots”.

A trigger point is caused by muscular strain or overuse that becomes the site of overstimulated nerves, and decreased circulation and a buildup of lactic acid. Postural distortions are a common cause of trigger points along with stress. These are often found in pec major (chest), tapezius (upper shoulder), neck muscles, lower back, gluteus muscles (buttocks) and erectors (muscles along the spine). But they can occur anywhere in the body. What makes a trigger point activate is cold damp weather, stress, sustained repetitive movements of the muscles, and viral infections.

When the therapist finds a trigger point usually the muscle will twitch or the client will jump or cry out in pain. With extended pressure to the trigger point the referred pain may be felt. A referred pain is pain felt in the vicinity of the trigger point or in another area of the body when the point is triggered or activated.

Treatment includes sustained compression of the trigger point for a short period of time, stretching, and moist heat to increases blood circulation to the affected muscles. Usually, the client will feel the full force of the trigger point in its entirety when activated and then the client will feel less and less pain until the trigger is completely removed. Once a trigger point is removed, it should not return.

I always try to encourage after a trigger point massage or a massage where trigger points are found to drink water to flush out the lactic acid that was released from the muscle and then to take a long hot bath or shower having the hot water rest on the area that was particularly worked during the massage session. Heat brings blood to the muscle; cold takes blood away from the muscle. Cold is good for injury, it reduces inflammation and pain. Heat is good for when the injury is healing it increases inflammation, relaxes the muscles and takes soreness away from the work done on the muscle belly by the therapist.

Information sources:

Massage Magazine September 2007 issue
Trigger point therapy for pain relief pg 60
Neuromuscular Therapy text book
Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction by Travel and Simons

Send a message to learn more

11/24/2025

Feel free to reach out using the whatsapp button. For ease of communication.

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

How is a Knot caused, and how to take it away?

A “knot” in the muscle tissue or hypertonic tissue is caused by negative muscle memory. There are many types of negative muscle memory.

Repetitive-use muscle memory is when a person uses a muscle repeatedly, the muscle will tighten. Once a muscle is short and tight for an extended period of time, the normal muscle memory is lost (it forgets what it is like to return to an elongated, relaxed position.) The tightness becomes ingrained in the proprioceptors (nerve of the muscle) and the brain then thinks it is normal to hold that muscle tight, even though the person feels relaxed.

Emotional muscle memory is when the body stores emotional trauma in the body to process it and the muscles contract to protect us. The body remembers the trauma of the mind, this is why sometimes during a therapy session, a client can become emotional and he/she doesn’t know why.

Restoring Muscle Memory
Circulation is the key to all healing. The blood brings oxygen, minerals, nutrients and vitamins to the entire body. It also removes toxins from the body. When a muscle becomes tight the circulation to that area is hindered. Forcing the tissue to build up on toxins like lactic acid and when the muscle becomes so bad it will cause a build-up of calcium, especially near the attachment sites (where the muscle meets the bone). This buildup of toxins and the hypertonic restriction of the muscle belly is what a “knot” is.

Compression along with stretching and movement during treatment, will allow blood to flow into the affected areas. Breaking up the scar tissue and resilient adhesions will restore correct muscle memory. Certain oils will have a detoxification effect and a relaxation effect on the tissues as well. Such as lavender and eucalyptus. These aromas also will aid in the emotional aspect of the release of the tension. Aromas often trigger memories and aid in moving through the trauma.

Fascia

What is fascia? Fascia surrounds every muscle and around every muscle fiber of the body. It is completely connected throughout the body.

What does restricted facia feel like? You can often feel this along the skin when you palpate deeply, it hurts like a “razor cutting” feeling or a “snap, crackle, popping” feeling this one is often felt along the feet.

Myofascial restrictions can produce excessive pressure of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain-sensitive structures. It acts like a “straightjacket” crushing muscles, nerves, blood vessels and osseous structures, producing pain, headaches and restriction of motion.

There are many different ways to correct myofascial restrictions. Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial release and deep compression with movement. Stretching and Heat, along with Aromatherapy oils specific for pain, will be applied as a catalyst to the treatment to increase effectiveness.

This information was taken from:
Massage magazine Dec. 2006 issue “Muscle memory- the key to unlocking tightness”; “Myofascial Release Approach”

Neuromuscular Therapy Text Book

Phoebe Fernandes 16 years of experience.

Send a message to learn more

11/11/2025

Stretches for the Office

Stand up and roll your arms and shoulders up above your head and as far back behind your head as possible. Inhale while you do this and exhale, bring the arms down. Do this stretch 3 to 5 times.

Hold arms in back and pull up as far as you can go. While doing this drop your head back to a good and comfortable position and slowly inhale feeling the chest move out and up and inhale, lower the arms a little and then go back.

Collapse in on yourself, from the top of the head on down, allowing each vertebrae to release, concentrating on releasing each vertebra all the way down to the hips. Allow your shoulders to drop and relax.
Slowly bring yourself up and allow your neck to go back to a comfortable stretch still allowing the shoulders to relax.

11/06/2025

Listen to what one client said "Some days the amount of stress, tired, and anxiety seem to overwhelm the body. It produces knots, tension, aches, and pains. It’s wonderful to know Phoebe can reset it back to calm. She can manipulate the muscles into submission, where the relief feels like the weight of the world has been taken off your shoulders. I especially recommend escaping an hour and a half. Having a therapy from Phoebe is the best break in a stressful schedule. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ " Jill C - San Antonio

11/06/2025

What value is Aromatherapy - it is an incredible detoxing treatment, and it creates a state of relaxation and mental clarity that is hard to beat. The Aromatherapy that I handle uses select oils chosen specially for you and your goals. Then, using the raindrop technique it is dropped along the spine. The hot towels help infuse the oils into the spine and body for greater and quicker absorption.

10/23/2025

Assisted Stretching is an amazing way to open up your joints and feel totally relaxed.

10/21/2025

Offering Professional Stretching and Aromatherapy. As a regular part of your normal healthy routine.

10/21/2025

12/12/2024

Why Jade? Known for its harmony - and ability to resonate with the human body well. Using Jade for the pressure and heating elements support the overall health and wellbeing during the treatment.