My name is Kat and I have been a licensed massage therapist since 2005. More recently, I have extended my studies into herbal medicine in a university setting, receiving a degree in herbal science. I’ve always preferred using natural products when giving massages because it is another way of connecting with nature.
It is important to connect with nature to facilitate healing, as we are all natural beings.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in life’s complications or the stressful demands of modern culture. Massage is a great way to unwind, take time for yourself, and tune into your body’s needs. Massage tells us so much about ourselves. Your muscular system reflects the physical and emotional health of your entire life. The touch of a professional massage therapist can bring your attention to imbalances created in your body. The simple, comforting techniques of a professional massage therapist can help bring about normal muscular function.
Your muscular system reflects the physical and emotional health of your entire life. The touch of a professional massage therapist can bring your attention to imbalances created in your body. The simple, comforting techniques of a professional massage therapist can help bring about normal muscular function.
As an herbalist I have a kit of essential oils and herb-infused oils, which I can customize for a client’s needs. The person receiving massage may request specific botanical topical preparations, or I may choose the best herb or blend from my knowledge. There are wonderful plants that are used topically such as Mentha piperita (Peppermint) an antispasmodic and Capsicum annum (Cayenne) an analgesic.
When receiving a massage I consciously follow the therapist’s muscular exploration, and as a result have discovered areas of tension that I didn’t even realize existed. Communicating with the therapist has helped me focus on and deal with areas of high tension. Massage therapy can help reveal and relax sources of pain that we become accustomed to and hide with coping mechanisms. I have experienced relief from pain through the massage of a seemingly unrelated area.
Trigger points are regions of the musculature that can get bound up, collect waste and toxins, dehydrate, and negatively affect surrounding tissues. Picture this: a bed made so perfectly that you could bounce a coin off of it (this is symbolic of an average balanced muscular system in a human being.) Now, grab any corner of the bed sheet in a twisting manner (a trigger point) — the effect of this manipulation would be seen as the displacement of the entire original placement of the bed sheet (physical distortion and potentially referral pain.) Referral pain can occur when muscle fibers bind up due to repetitive movements — that we may or may not be aware of — or to unequal physical growth, or injurIes. Like the effect of someone grabbing and twisting one corner of a bed sheet, we are affected by twisted muscle fibers. This is not efficient and we must release this tension in order to truly be relaxed and at ease. We also need to increase awareness of what postures we hold, what emotions distort our posture, and what sneaky postural distortions we have grown comfortable in.
Herbal preparations can be a partner in the healing process. Whether through their healing qualities or simply the pleasure of a comforting fragrance, herb-infused oils and lotions can increase the benefits of a good therapeutic massage. Internally, herbal infusions such as Mellissa officinalis (Lemon balm), Lavandula officinalis (Lavender), Passiflora incarnata (Passion flower) and Matricaria recutitia (Chamomile), can help calm the spirit, rehydrate the body, and flush out the impurities built up in the musculature.
Massage therapy and herbal science – naturally good for us, inside and out.
