Harmonics Massage and Bodywork

Harmonics Massage and Bodywork Massage and Bodywork services. I have been a massage therapist for 22 years. Whatever your need, I am truly .

My modality capabilities range from classic Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, oncology, sports, manual lymphatic drainage, and TMJD.

08/06/2022

Cat's out of the bag! Starting Monday(with orientation) I will be part of an integrated team at the Chanda Center which caters to spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (and other neuro- degenerative states)! So excited and grateful!!!
Of course I always have time for my regular clients and referrals. This is an opportunity I am so lucky to be presented with, and every expansion of my knowledge and capabilities helps all of you too!💜

Saturday is the right day if you need a massage!
06/24/2022

Saturday is the right day if you need a massage!

Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, chronic calf tightness and cramping... let's talk about it. The Achilles tendon...
05/18/2022

Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, chronic calf tightness and cramping... let's talk about it.
The Achilles tendon attaches the back of the foot to the larger muscles of the calf. It allows you to extend and point your foot through a walking stride, all the way to the en pointe of a ballet dancer. The tendon works hard and often! Which is where the problems start.
Flexed too much for too long(as in constant heel wearing - including "supportive" athletic shoes!) can gradually shorten the tendon and calf muscles to the point that bare feet, our natural state, becomes uncomfortable, even painful. If you can't "Asian squat" (what the AAPI physical therapist I know calls it!), without raising your heel from the ground, it may be because the tendon/ calves are too tight, or have even been permanently shortened.
But then also there's the overdevelopment of the calves in sports such as biking, trampolining, body building, and dancing, which can actually cause the stronger muscles to start pulling the weaker tendon off its attachment at the bottom of the heel. And when that happens...? Pop and pain and a lot of rehab time.
Do right by your body. As beautiful of a physique some of our societal norms and practices give us, the fact remains: strength without flexibility is glass waiting to shatter. Sports stretches and massage can be key to keeping minor pains from becoming major problems!

Ah, the lymphatic system. While it has its own name and function, it's truly a subset of the circulatory system, but mov...
05/16/2022

Ah, the lymphatic system. While it has its own name and function, it's truly a subset of the circulatory system, but moves at a slower rate than the heart- pumping arteries and veins. Massage specifically targeted for the lymphatic systems helps every body from endurance athletes to medically frail. It was actually in my oncology training that I came to separately certify for Manual Lymphatic Drainage. It's firm but superficial, rhythmic nature soothes and assists the fragile system to move metabolic waste and fluids. As the days get warmer and the activities more vigorous, if you find your hands, feet, or even your face swelling, this may be a beneficial tool in your self-care regime!

You got a pain in your butt, you say? And it's not your teenager? If your backside pain radiates all the way down your l...
05/12/2022

You got a pain in your butt, you say? And it's not your teenager? If your backside pain radiates all the way down your leg, it may be sciatica or piriformis syndrome.
The sciatic nerve is a large peripheral nerve that branches and signals all the way from the lower lumbar spine down to the tips of your toes. But it doesn't have an easy pathway. In the gluteal region, it either passes through the piriformis muscle (one of the deep 6 lateral rotators, I'll cover them later), or between the piriformis and the ischium (the lower bony formation of the pelvic bowl). Either way, if the piriformis gets inflamed or somehow injured it can squeeze the sciatic nerve causing pain down the leg that can be any pain level from annoying to downright debilitating.
I understand the sensitivity of massaging the gluteal region, I'm also extremely well-practiced in sports massage techniques that can relieve the stress on the nerve. If you have a pain in your butt that you can't ground, send off to camp or college, let me help!

Fun facts about the shoulder: that acromioclavicular joint at the top? That's the ONLY joint keeping the arm attached to...
05/10/2022

Fun facts about the shoulder: that acromioclavicular joint at the top? That's the ONLY joint keeping the arm attached to your torso. There's 27 muscles and tendons protecting and allowing the vast movement of the arm. It's fascinating! It's also A LOT when something goes wrong in the cuff. Because sussing out which of the 27 muscles is acting out takes some skill that comes with a bunch of practice! If you're experiencing shoulder pain, numbness in the arm, tingling in the fingers, or any other adverse signal around the shoulder area, make an appointment today!

Your body works as a whole entity. Massage works for that whole entity. Even the gentlest of Swedish style massage not o...
05/09/2022

Your body works as a whole entity. Massage works for that whole entity. Even the gentlest of Swedish style massage not only relaxes muscular system, it also:
Lowers blood pressure (circulatory system)
Allows better digestive processing (digestive system)
Reduces pain signaling (nervous system)
Reduces swelling (lymphatic system)
Aids in the removal of metabolic waste (endocrine system)
Aids in the removal of wastey waste (excretory system)
Directly influences skin and the underlying fascia (integumentary system)
Uses natural, deep breath to consciously tune into your body (respiratory system)
Good! And good for you!!

Do you grind? Do you even clench, bro? TMJD (tempo-mandibular joint disorder) affects many people, although you may not ...
05/05/2022

Do you grind? Do you even clench, bro? TMJD (tempo-mandibular joint disorder) affects many people, although you may not even know you do it until a dentist points out the wear on your teeth. While it is, unfortunately, something that happens at night while sleeping, you may check during the day to see if your jaw is tense or locked up. Massaging and doing compressed range of motion techniques can help ease the pain and tightness in your jaw while you're awake. Can't do much about what happens in your sleep, but I can help you in your conscious hours so your mouth guard doesn't have to look like a boxer's!

The persistent myth of Deep Tissue: No Pain, No Gain. FALSEMassage therapists concern ourselves with your entire body, w...
05/04/2022

The persistent myth of Deep Tissue: No Pain, No Gain.
FALSE
Massage therapists concern ourselves with your entire body, we just specialize in muscles. And the biggest part of your body that will make a massage less effective is the nerve signal that indicates pain. Pain puts your whole body on notice to Move, Evade, and Defend. So if you 'suck it up' thinking your not- breathing, hyper-alerted, teeth-gritted self is getting benefit, it may actually be causing more damage. "Uncomfortable" is a negotiation that can work and may offer optimum benefit in cases of trigger point work, sports, and injury recovery.
But deep tissue? You could fall asleep on the table and still get immense benefit because your nerves are out of the picture!
Yes, there are massage modalities where pain is expected and accepted, specifically Rolfing or other myofascial techniques. And they're extremely beneficial and extremely specific to a body part/muscle group.
Now, as I've told my clients, this is your time and your massage your way. I'll do whatever my skill set allows to accommodate your needs. So if you want to feel like you just got out of the octagon with a 500lb gorilla, I can be the gorilla your dreams! Just know that it's not necessarily the best long- term benefit for your whole body, but especially your muscles.

The Iliopsoas. Possibly my favorite muscle(s) to work, because most people don't intentionally get them worked, yet are ...
05/03/2022

The Iliopsoas. Possibly my favorite muscle(s) to work, because most people don't intentionally get them worked, yet are MAJOR players in lower back mobility, but also pain. Office workers, bikers, and horse riders tend to have an especially difficult time with this group due to the long term seated position which compress the muscles.
Psoas Major and Minor begin at the front of the lower spine (towards your guts), meet the Iliacus (which covers the inside of the pelvic bone), then drop down to the inner, upper part of the femur(thigh bone).
So every time you bend down then straighten back up, every time you lift your leg, you engage this muscle. It's a hard working muscle to be sure, but also difficult to get to. If you're experiencing low back pain or have any mobility problems bending or lifting your leg, please contact me for a massage today!

05/03/2022

If you've ever asked me "what's my favorite modality &/or body part to work on?" is, I'm spending Massage May showing and explaining why It's All My Favorite!

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Littleton, CO
80127

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