I opened Soul Tranquility Massage & Wellness in 2015 with my clients in mind. This is an environment where you can expect to drink a hot cup of tea and casually and confidentially create a wellness plan that is dictated by YOU.
My name is Amber Underwood. I am a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist and Reiki Master.
I am a dedicated and compassionate healer with a holistic approach to enlighten and encourage mind, body and spirit onto a path of wellness through massage and natural alternative modalities.
At Soul Tranquility Massage & Wellness it is my honor and goal to offer services that will bring you closer to enlightenment through Education, Ayurvedic herbs, Crystal healing , Meditation as well as Sound and Energy discovery to find your center through transcendental states of exploration.
Massage modalities offered include full spectrum CBD blends with Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point massage, manual lymphatic drainage massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy massage, as well as traditional Chinese Fire cupping.
Massage and bodywork techniques are effective for releasing painful muscle tension, improving circulation, relieving stress, increasing joint flexibility and reducing mental and physical fatigue.
It is my honor and excitement to welcome you to begin your path to wellness in a peaceful and serene setting at my new practice located in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington, NC.
Please read below for more information about what to expect during a massage and more in depth information about the different massage modalities.
What you can expect during a massage:
Proper personal hygiene is important (shower) to avoid spread of pathogens.
Before a massage therapy session starts, I will ask about any symptoms, your medical history and what you're hoping to get out of the massage.
In a typical massage therapy session, you undress to your comfort level. You will be draped appropriately at all times. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. If needed I will perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply.
Depending on preference, I may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin, and be glad to create a custom blend with aromatherapy, please let me know if you might be allergic to any ingredients.
The length of a massage session may vary depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you will feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage.
I offer many types of massages including:
Swedish Massage: This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
Deep Tissue Massage: This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it's geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
Trigger Point Massage: This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.
Aromatherapy Massage: One of the main methods of aromatherapy is to relieve physical nuisances and emotional stress through various massage techniques in combination with the beneficial properties of essential oils.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): Is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9 ounces per square inch or about 4 kPa) and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.
http://www.positivehealth.com/article/manual-lymphatic-drainage/manual-lymphatic-drainage-and-its-therapeutic-benefits
Hot Stone Massage ( 90 minute): A hot stone massage combines thermotherapy with massage techniques to provide an effective healing therapy.
The use of natural stones in conjunction with massage uses powerful earth energies to help the patient heal. Heat from stones also has the benefit of geomagnetism from a Earth source; which has a balancing and healing effect on our systems.
Chinese Cupping: Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (either by heat or suction) in order to draw and hold skin and superficial muscles inside the cup. Sometimes, while the suction is active, the cup is moved, causing the skin and muscle to be pulled. This is called gliding cupping. Cupping is applied to certain acupuncture points as well as to parts of the body that have been affected by pain, where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled. Cupping has greater emphasis on the back acupuncture due to the ease with which it can be performed on the back. Most practitioners use the back shu points or bladder meridian and the dazhui. Cupping is based on the meridian theory of the body. On one hand, cupping removes any stagnation in the body and opens the meridians so that qi can flow freely. On the other, it also helps to rejuvenate certain meridians and organs that are not functioning at their best. From a scientific standpoint, cupping is known to help activate the lymphatic system, promote blood circulation, and is good for deep tissue repair.
Custom Face Masks : Depending on your needs custom blends with the purest ingredients will be provided to detoxify and rejuvenate the skin. Some ingredients are activated charcoal, organic honey, aloe and many other combos for men and women. Add this on to compliment your experience.
More about massage:
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for: Anxiety, Digestive disorders, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Insomnia related to stress, Myofascial pain syndrome, Paresthesias and nerve pain, Soft tissue strains or injuries, Sports injuries, Temporomandibular joint pain and much more.
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist. Despite its benefits, massage is not meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you're trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.
Risks of Massage: Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication burns, open or healing wounds, deep vein thrombosis, fractures severe osteoporosis, severe thrombocytopenia. Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or have cancer or unexplained pain.
Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Communication is key, if pressure is to deep ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out.
The Take-Home Message About Massage:
Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever.
