Handcrafted Massage

03/28/2026

Q: Why Does Wrist & Hand Pain Happen?

A: Modern-Day Strain
In today’s world, our hands are constantly working—typing, texting, scrolling, gripping tools, or performing repetitive tasks. Over time, these movements can create chronic tension in the forearms, where the muscles that control your fingers and wrists actually originate.
When these muscles (called the flexors and extensors) become tight and overworked, they can:
Pull on the tendons that pass through the wrist
Restrict normal movement and flexibility
Compress nearby nerves, especially those traveling into the hands and fingers
This is often why symptoms don’t stay isolated to just one spot. You may notice:
Tingling or “pins and needles” in the fingers
Numbness, especially in the thumb or first few fingers
Aching or sharp pain in the wrist
Weakness or fatigue when gripping objects
Over time, this pattern can contribute to conditions like repetitive strain injuries or even carpal tunnel syndrome if left unaddressed.

At-Home Tip: Simple Reset Stretch
Give your hands a quick reset throughout the day:
Extend one arm straight out in front of you, palm facing down
Use your other hand to gently pull your fingers back toward you
Hold for 10–15 seconds (you should feel a stretch through your forearm, not pain)
Switch sides and repeat
Pro tip: Do this every 1–2 hours if you’re working at a desk or on your phone a lot.

03/23/2026

Massage therapy can play a surprisingly powerful role in improving sleep—not just because it feels good in the moment, but because of how it affects your body and nervous system.

When you get a massage, your body shifts out of “fight-or-flight” mode (the sympathetic nervous system) and into “rest-and-digest” mode (the parasympathetic nervous system). This shift lowers stress hormones like cortisol and increases feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine—both of which are important for regulating mood and sleep cycles.

There’s also a direct connection between serotonin and melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle. When serotonin levels rise after a massage, your body has more of what it needs to produce melatonin later on, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
On a physical level, massage helps reduce muscle tension, soreness, and pain—common reasons people wake up during the night or struggle to get comfortable. If you’ve ever had tight shoulders, a sore back, or restless legs keep you up, regular massage can help calm those issues down so your body can fully relax.
Massage can also improve circulation, which supports better oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body. This helps your muscles recover more efficiently and contributes to that overall “loose and heavy” feeling that’s perfect for drifting off to sleep.

For people dealing with stress, anxiety, or even mild insomnia, massage creates a routine of intentional relaxation. Over time, your body starts to associate that calm, grounded feeling with bedtime, making it easier to unwind naturally.
In short, massage doesn’t just help you relax—it helps reset your body into a state where deep, restorative sleep becomes much more accessible.

03/14/2026

Q: What are some common causes of low back pain?

Too Much Sitting/Not Enough Movement- Sitting for long periods, poor posture, or even stress can tighten your low back and hips. Over time, this limits mobility and can cause chronic discomfort.

Self-Care Tip: Get up and stretch every 30–45 minutes. Try gentle hip circles or a short walk to keep your back happy.

Can massage help?
YES!! Massage therapy targets tight muscles like the quadratus lumborum, glutes, and hamstrings to release deep tension and improve spinal alignment. By relaxing those areas, your body naturally finds better posture and less pain.

Book your appointment today or join the waitlist!

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

02/28/2026

Mind-Body Connection!
Massage is more than physical — it’s a reset for your nervous system.
Slowing down and letting go of tension helps reduce stress, boost immunity, and improve your mood.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

02/21/2026

New Add-On Options!

Want to take your massage to the next level? You can now add focused, targeted treatments to your session.

Head & Face Focus – 15 min
Deep relaxation and tension relief for your scalp, temples, and jaw. Includes soothing head and face techniques with your choice of essential oil to calm the mind and melt away stress.

Foot Renewal – 15 min
Melt away tension and restore tired feet with slow, intentional techniques. Choose between refreshing peppermint or calming lavender essential oil for a truly spa-like experience.

Targeted Mobility Enhancement – 20 min
Focus on hips and shoulders with assisted stretching and corrective techniques to restore functional movement, reduce tension, and support your posture. Perfect for desk workers, athletes, or anyone feeling tightness in these areas.

Add one of these enhancements to your massage and leave feeling fully renewed!

Book your session today and customize your experience!

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

02/15/2026

Let's have a conversation about intentional massage.

Massage therapy isn’t really for emergency care—it’s about maintenance.
I stay booked out most of the time, and I often get calls for same-day appointments when bodies are already in pain or crisis. While I wish I could accommodate everyone, that “wait until it hurts” mindset isn’t kind to your body.
Proactive planning prevents an emergency reaction.
Massage works best as intentional, regular care—supporting your body before pain, stress, or dysfunction take over. Your body shouldn't have to be in crisis to deserve care.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

02/08/2026

Stretch Between Sessions!
Keep your massage benefits lasting longer by doing gentle stretching!
Focus on your neck, shoulders, and hips for just 5 minutes a day — your muscles will stay looser and you’ll feel better between visits.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

01/31/2026

How Massage Helps Release Neck And Shoulder Tension:
Massage therapy can ease tightness in the upper traps, deltoids, and rotator cuff — helping improve posture and mobility while reducing headaches caused by muscle tension. Consistent sessions can help retrain your body to relax instead of holding stress.
Book a neck/shoulder-focused massage this week and feel the difference.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

01/25/2026

Q: Why Does Shoulder Pain Happen?
A: So many of us hold our stress in our neck and shoulders. Between desk work, phone use, and daily tension, these muscles tighten and pull on the neck and upper back. Over time, this can cause headaches, restricted movement, and burning pain near the shoulder blades.

Tip: Take a moment today to roll your shoulders back and down, and take a few deep breaths. Small daily resets make a big difference.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

01/18/2026

I want to talk for a moment about no-shows and late cancels—because it really matters in a small business like mine.

When you book a massage, that time is reserved just for you. I can’t fill it last minute if plans change, and once that hour passes, it’s gone forever. Unlike many jobs, I’m not paid hourly just for being here—I’m paid per session. So a no-show or late cancellation often means I don’t get compensated appropriately for that time.

I still prepare for every appointment: setting up the room, reviewing notes, and being mentally and physically ready to give you my best care—whether you arrive or not.

It also affects other clients. Someone else may have really needed that spot, and late cancellations don’t give them a fair chance to book it. I do my best to fill late cancels from the waiting list but this typically still requires proper notice.

I run my business with limited hours so I can balance work and family, which means every appointment truly matters. No-show and late-cancellation policies aren’t a punishment, they are a boundary.

I deeply appreciate everyone who communicates, shows up, and respects the time we’ve set aside together. Thank you for supporting my small local business.

01/10/2026

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, "Do you take insurance?"
The short answer is - no.
But there is so much more to it than that and I want to take a minute to give a deeper explanation and how insurance covered massage therapy actually works.

This a great question, and I understand why people ask. I don’t currently accept insurance because I’m a solo practitioner, and the billing process can be very time-consuming requiring unpaid administrative work with long delays in payment. As a one-person business this is unsustainable for me.
By staying private-pay, I’m able to focus fully on providing individualized, high-quality care without the treatment limitations often required by insurance companies. I understand that this may be disappointing for clients wishing to use their massage benefits.

1. How insurance typically covers massage-
In theory:
Many insurance plans advertise “massage benefits” or “manual therapy benefits.” This leads people to reasonably assume:
-Massage is covered
-They can see a massage therapist directly
-Sessions are similar to chiropractic or PT visits

In reality:
Massage is usually covered only if ALL of the following are true:
-The massage is medically necessary
-There is a diagnosis code that insurance accepts
-The massage is part of a treatment plan
-Often requires a referral or prescription
-The therapist is credentialed and contracted with that insurer
-The session follows insurance-defined rules, not therapist discretion

If any piece is missing this will result in denial or non-payment.

Common denial reasons include:

“Massage is not medically necessary”
“Maintenance care is not covered”
“Diagnosis does not support massage”
“Exceeded visit limits”
“Improper or incomplete documentation”
“Service is considered wellness, not medical”

Even when massage is covered:
-It’s often limited to 6–12 visits per year
-Sessions may be restricted to as little as 15–30 minutes
-Reimbursement rates are often very low
-Payments can take 30–90+ days, or never arrive at all

2. Insurance definition of “medical necessity”:

Massage must
-Treat a specific diagnosable condition
-Show measurable improvement
-Be part of a short-term corrective plan

NOT be for:
Stress relief
General pain management
Chronic conditions without “improvement”
Maintenance or prevention
Relaxation or wellness

What this means in practice:
Chronic pain clients often get denied
Autoimmune, fibromyalgia, migraines, stress-related pain = commonly denied
Once someone “plateaus,” coverage usually stops
Clients feel better → insurance says care is no longer necessary
Clients don’t improve fast enough → insurance also denies

I hope this gives a better understanding of why I choose not to take insurance and can help you navigate the system if you are trying for self-reimbursement.

Thanks and be well!
Autumn R Childe LMT
HANDCRAFTED MASSAGE
509 688 4889

12/27/2025

JANUARY APPOINTMENTS ARE GOING FAST!

Book your massage appointment with Autumn at HANDCRAFTED MASSAGE today!

Jan 8 afternoon
Jan 9 afternoon
Jan 12 afternoon, evening
Jan 13 afternoon
Jan 15 afternoon
Jan 21 afternoon

To see available appointments or join the waitlist go to: https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Questions or need help? Contact me at 509 688 4889.

HANDCRAFTED MASSAGE will be CLOSED January 23 to February 9. Please plan accordingly.
Thanks and be well!

HANDCRAFTED MASSAGE was founded in 2020. Licensed and insured. Located in Medical Lake. I have experience and specialize in the following types of treatment: swedish/ relaxation, prenatal, medical based, deep tissue, injury rehabilitation, sports/athletic, myofascial release, cupping, hot stone, ice...