Noelle's Therapeutic Massage

01/07/2026

We have entered the darkest part of winter. Yes, the days are slowly getting longer, but they are still plenty short. And now the Christmas lights have come down, which can make this time of year very depressing for some. If you find yourself suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), do consider getting a massage.

12/30/2025

For those of you wanting to make New Year’s resolutions, I would suggest regular massages. Just look at the various health benefits that come from regular massages. And “regular” does not necessarily mean “monthly.” For many people, monthly massages work well. But some people need to come in more often, like every two or three weeks. Others can go longer between massages, getting them every six to eight weeks. It all depends on what your body needs.

12/19/2025

Upcoming Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve - Usual (8-12:30, 2-5:30)
Christmas Day - Closed
Day After Christmas - Usual (8-12:30)

12/15/2025

Massage can help with barometric pressure-related pain. You don’t have to “just live with” that pain. Try a massage. We massage therapists can work wonders.

ACHES AND PAINS FORECAST... I get a bunch of questions this time of year about aches, pains, headaches and sinus pressure when the weather changes, so here’s something new. Let me know what you think.

PLEASE READ THIS PART... This is how to interpret the graphic:

The yellow line on this graphic represents the barometric pressure forecast, and what matters most is PRESSURE CHANGES, not whether the pressure is “high” or “low.”

Here’s what to watch for:

• Rapid pressure drops or sharp swings tend to be when some people notice more joint pain, headaches or sinus pressure.

• More stable pressure, even if it’s high or low, usually means fewer issues for most people.

• The color blocks simply highlight periods of less (green), moderate (yellow) or more (red) impact based on how quickly the pressure is changing.

Everyone is different, so this graphic might not pertain to you. Some people feel these changes clearly, others don’t notice them at all. I don't have weather related issues, ever. So this is new territory for me. Bottom line, this graphic is meant to show patterns, not predict symptoms for any one person.

If you’re someone who says, “I can feel the weather changing,” this gives you a general idea of when those changes are most likely to happen.

This is not a medical forecast, this is based on weather trends, not medical data. If you deal with chronic pain, migraines, sinus issues or asthma, always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider. This is simply a weather-based awareness tool that I'm trying out.

Let me know what you think.

Posted 12/14/2025 at 4pm.

12/13/2025

As I’m sure many of you are aware, the warmer temperatures we had earlier this week caused some of our snow to melt. Then it refroze as the temperatures dropped again. So there is ice under our most recent snowfall. What you may not know is that “almost falling” can be as hard, sometimes even harder, on your body as actually falling. If you slip on ice, even if you don’t fall, pay attention to what your body tells you. You would probably benefit from a massage.

12/09/2025

As I said a couple weeks ago, most people automatically think "deep tissue" when they hear "therapeutic massage." Today I'd like to introduce everyone to another way of doing therapeutic massage--using a tool called CoreStones.

Many people have heard of hot stone massages, where basalt--a type of lava--stones are heated in a hot water bath (usually around 120 degrees) and then incorporated into the massage. CoreStones are different; they are made of soapstone. In my opinion, CoreStones are better!

CoreStones can be used hot, cold, or at room temperature. More often than not, I do heat mine. But unlike the basalt stones, I can heat my CoreStones in my towel warmer. That drastically reduces the chances of anyone being burned--client or me!

As you can see in the picture, CoreStones come in a variety of shapes. That actually makes them more useful than basalt stones because hanging onto the CoreStones is easier. I'm not likely to lose hold of the CoreStones, even with cream on my hands, and the CoreStones allow me to be more ergonomic with my wrists.

The smallest stones at the top of the picture are specifically for the face, very useful for headaches. The two long batons (one is 12" and the other is 7") are used mostly on legs and glutes. The four stones at the bottom of the picture are the ones I use almost anywhere. And the wedge-shaped stone on the left is used for scraping. I will get more into the details of scraping in another post.

I no longer offer hot stone massages because of the benefits of using CoreStones instead. That is actually a good thing for my clients. I used to charge extra for hot stone massages (which is standard practice in massage therapy). I do not charge extra for the use of CoreStones. In fact, because I use them as a tool, I have been known to use them even when clients do not specifically request them. And take it from the clients who have experienced them--you want me using the CoreStones, rather than traditional deep tissue!

12/02/2025

Last week I shared the difference between relaxation massage and therapeutic massage. This week let’s talk about the difference between therapeutic massage and medical massage. Honestly, there’s only one major difference. Therapeutic massage is typically initiated by the client. Medical massage is typically initiated by another medical professional. Both address physical or medical concerns. But “medical massage” is usually a term used for massages that have been prescribed by someone like a medical doctor or chiropractor. Such prescriptions are generally needed to get insurance to pay for the massage, though it’s still not guaranteed (as many insurance companies still do not recognize massage therapy as a medical field).

11/28/2025

Since it is now the official start of the holiday shopping season, I would like to remind everyone that I have gift certificates available. They are designed to gift a service, rather than a monetary amount, just in case the giver wants to keep what was spent a secret. Come to my office on 85th and Western (in Sioux Falls) to buy the gift certificates.

11/24/2025

**Relaxation vs. Therapeutic Massage**

A relaxation massage is exactly what its name implies. It is a massage that is designed to relax your muscles and your body overall. The pressure used is whatever you find most comfortable for you.

A therapeutic massage is a little more specific. It can still be full-body, but many times the therapist focuses on your problem areas, like that stubborn knot in your shoulder or that irritated sciatic nerve. A lot of people immediately associate deep tissue massage with therapeutic massage, but that is not entirely accurate. Deep tissue is just one modality (or type) of therapeutic massage. The amount of pressure used in a therapeutic massage depends on the modality as well as your pain tolerance level.

11/21/2025

I will be closed on Thursday and Friday next week. But I still have some openings available earlier in the week. I wish everyone a peaceful holiday. And know that I am incredibly thankful for all of my clients! Y'all are the greatest!

09/27/2025

I have an unusual number of availabilities next week. If you've been putting off getting a massage, it's time to stop procrastinating and make that appointment! Remember, self-care is NOT selfish.

07/14/2025

Punch cards are here! Buy 9 massages, and the 10th is free**. All lengths can go on the same card. The length you get most often will be the max length you can get as your freebie. For example, if you have 1 half-hour, 1 90-minute, and 7 hour massages, your freebie will be an hour at most (but could be a half-hour, if you wanted).

**Some exclusions apply. Stop by for details.