Kayla Duncan LMT

26/01/2026

Massage is not a luxury. It’s legitimate healthcare!

People look at me some sort of way when I say I get a massage at least once a month — so let’s clear something up.

Massage is healthcare. Period.

It regulates the nervous system.
It lowers stress hormones.
It improves circulation and lymphatic flow.
It reduces chronic tension before it becomes chronic pain.
It supports sleep, digestion, hormones, posture, and mental clarity.

Most of what we’re walking around calling “normal” — tight shoulders, jaw pain, headaches, poor sleep, burnout — is a body that hasn’t been given a chance to release.

Touch is a biological need, not a luxury.
Maintenance is smarter than crisis care.
Prevention is still healthcare.

I don’t wait until my body is screaming to listen.
I don’t believe care has to hurt to count.
And I refuse to treat regulation like an indulgence.

Luxury is excess.
Massage is maintenance.

Treat yourself like someone you love — because that is healthcare.

I do not pay for or carry health insurance the way most people do. Massage is my assurance that my body can heal itself if I take care of her.

Get ahold of your local massage therapist and get ahold of your selfcare.

26/01/2026

If you come to see me for low back pain, I am going to insist on massaging your legs. This is one reason why!

Pain rarely stems from where it is experienced. This is why you need a pro who knows where to work to give you actual relief!

Hamstrings, Sacrotuberous Ligament & SI Joint: A Hidden Biomechanical Link

This image highlights a powerful but often overlooked anatomical connection between the hamstrings, sacrotuberous ligament, and the sacroiliac (SI) joint complex. What looks like separate structures actually function as a continuous myofascial and ligamentous system that plays a major role in pelvic and spinal stability.

On the left, the superficial dissection shows how the hamstrings blend into the posterior thigh fascia and connect upward toward the pelvis. Rather than ending only at the ischial tuberosity, the hamstring fascia integrates with the sacrotuberous ligament, forming a strong tension-transmitting structure between the femur and sacrum.

The deeper dissection on the right reveals that the tendon of the long head of biceps femoris directly connects into the sacrotuberous ligament, which then blends with the SI joint ligaments. This means hamstring tension can directly influence sacral position and SI joint mechanics. Increased hamstring tone can increase tension across the SI joint, affecting load transfer between the trunk and lower limb.

Biomechanically, this connection is crucial during activities like walking, running, bending, and lifting. When the hamstrings contract, they don’t just extend the hip—they also contribute to force closure of the SI joint, enhancing pelvic stability. However, excessive stiffness or asymmetry in the hamstrings can overload the sacrotuberous ligament and contribute to SI joint pain or dysfunction.

Clinically, this explains why hamstring tightness is often associated with low back pain, pelvic pain, or SI joint symptoms. Treating the hamstrings alone without considering their sacral and fascial connections may provide only temporary relief.

The hamstrings are not just knee flexors or hip extensors—they are integral stabilizers of the pelvis and SI joint. Understanding this anatomical continuity helps clinicians and movement professionals address pain, posture, and performance more effectively by treating the entire lumbopelvic system, not isolated muscles.

24/01/2026

Let me be honest too.

I encourage people to go and see doctors because it is my responsibility as a licensed healthcare provider to do so. Imaging especially can be helpful for ruling out major problems that need medical intervention instead of massage.

But doctors can be absolutely awful.

I’ve been fighting my own health battles, as I always am. I recently requested an MRI for relentless back pain with leg weakness. My doctor told me no. When I advocated for myself and asked again, they stopped responding to my messages. Full. Stop.

And I might never go back to see this doctor again. My plan is to actually just go to the ER for imaging, you know, when I have five hours of time that I can sacrifice.

I’ve had to do this before which is why I’ll do it again 🤷‍♀️

I got into massage therapy because doctors ignored my symptom concerns for a year and a half despite having severe and debilitating symptoms. I started seeing a massage therapist out of absolute desperation. I was surprised at how much massage helped. And that was it. I was hooked!! The rest, as they say, is history.

So here I am. Licensed, insured, and legally obligated to mention doctor visits. Please know that I know how hard it is and how hopeless things can seem.

Massage is legitimate healthcare!! You don’t have to go through this alone. Me and my table are here for you, even if my back hates me sometimes 😂 That’s how much I love massage and what it can do for people like me and you.

Feel free to share your medical C-PTSD stories in the comments. We all have them. This is just one chapter in my novel of failed medical support 😭

22/01/2026

Forward head posture with a neck hump indicates a lack of thoracic extension. Massage can help but you also need movement!

Exercises can activate the muscles that aren’t getting used enough. These movements will help your brain remember these muscles while rediscovering comfort in novel forgotten positions. When coupled with massage therapy, exercise is even more effective!

Here’s the routine I am focusing on today. Remember, the problem rarely presents where it is actually coming from. Focusing on the neck and expecting your neck hump to heal isn’t going to work. The spine does not exist in isolation. Where is this issue really coming from? Get an expert opinion via a movement and palpitation assessment by yours truly 😁

*I am not qualified to prescribe exercise therapy. Please use your best judgement when beginning any new exercise routine. When in doubt, ask your physical therapist or MD about exercise guidelines that are appropriate for you.

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Most of us sit in flexion all day hunched over a computer screen or slouched in our car. This causes poor posture and often poor extension, which can lead t ...

19/01/2026

Well folks. It’s official. I’m just a hack. Massages are fake. My conditions don’t mpact my life at all. Surgery is the only answer. I know absolutely nothing 🤷‍♀️

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

This reaction right here is one reason I charge so much for my sessions and treatments. I give away free advice all the time. I used to volunteer hours of my time from the goodness of my heart to try and help people and give them hope. I simply won’t do that any more. I still try sometimes but then I’m like why even bother?

My favorite clients already value massage and understand the healing potential of qualified bodywork. Love you guys!

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19/01/2026

I can see myofascial accumulations on imaging. The evidence is there! Doctors just need to actually acknowledge it. . .

There is no need to wait for physicians to catch up to us licensed bodyworkers. Chronic pain, dysfunction, and mobility issues can be treated right now on my table!

Massage therapy is the future of healthcare. ,

Want to know where fascia science is headed? A 2025 research review just mapped it out for us. 🗺️

Researchers looked at hundreds of fascia studies to figure out what's coming next. Here's what they found...

Future research will focus on two big areas:

1. How fascia affects the way we move, and its role in chronic pain - especially as we age.

2. New imaging technology is changing everything. Advanced ultrasound and MRI techniques now let doctors actually see fascia problems. We're not just guessing anymore - we can measure specific tissue changes.

Here's what that means:

Scientists are confirming that fascia isn't passive wrapping. It's biologically active tissue that can generate pain signals.

When fascia develops problems like getting thick and sticky (densification), forming scar-like tissue (fibrosis) or becoming inflamed - it activates pain sensors.

These tissue changes create ongoing pain, not just temporary discomfort.

This is why chronic pain can persist even when nothing shows up as "damaged" on traditional scans.
The fascia itself has measurable changes causing real symptoms.

This research validates that manual therapy and movement-based work aren't just making you "feel better."

They're addressing actual, measurable tissue dysfunction.

The science is finally catching up to what bodyworkers have been seeing in practice for decades - fascia restrictions are real, they cause pain and working with fascia can create measurable change.

SARGA BODYWORK® blends modern fascia science with ancient barefoot massage techniques. Comment SARGA to start learning instantly. 👣

17/01/2026

17/01/2026

This is just one more evidence based reason why massage therapy is a legitimate EDS treatment.

Positive proprioceptive input will improve muscle tone and function. This doesn’t happen by just addressing the muscles. Touch input actually interfaces with the the nervous system. Consistent massage therapy treatments will have beneficial cumulative affects over time. It’s not magic, it’s massage therapy!

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“My doctor checked my muscles. He said they’re strong.
So why won’t they stop twisting?” 🧠

That question stays with you, because once your strength is “normal” and your scans look fine, the only thing left for people to blame is you — your stress, your anxiety, your inability to relax.

But dystonia is not a muscle problem.

It’s a control problem.

Every voluntary movement relies on balance. When the brain tells one muscle to contract, it also sends a signal to the opposing muscle telling it to switch off. That quiet inhibition is what allows movement to look smooth instead of forced.

In dystonia, that inhibitory signal doesn’t arrive properly.

The brain sends the “go” command, but the “stop” command gets lost. Muscles stay active longer than they should, neighbouring muscles join in, and movements begin to twist, pull, or lock without permission. What looks deliberate from the outside feels hijacked from the inside.

This is why being told to “relax” doesn’t help, and why symptoms often worsen under stress. A nervous system that already struggles to filter motor signals becomes even less precise when it’s under threat.

It also explains something many people with dystonia notice but are rarely believed about: sometimes, lightly touching the face, neck, or a specific spot on the body can briefly reduce the pulling. This isn’t psychological. It’s a recognised phenomenon called a geste antagoniste. Extra sensory input gives the brain clearer information about where the body is in space, which can momentarily stabilise the faulty motor signal.

Nothing about that is voluntary.

Modern research now recognises dystonia as a disorder of brain networks involved in movement control, not a problem of weak muscles or poor effort. The hardware is intact. The software is misfiring.

And you cannot fix a control system failure by telling the system to try harder.

👇 Does touch ever temporarily reduce your symptoms, even for a few seconds?

References

• Termsarasab, P., Thenganatt, M. A., & Jankovic, J. (2025). Dystonia: Insights into mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. The Lancet Neurology
• Quartarone, A., & Hallett, M. (2013). Emerging concepts in the physiological basis of dystonia. Nature Reviews Neurology
• Neychev, V. K., et al. (2011). The functional neuroanatomy of dystonia. Neurobiology of Disease
• Dystonia Coalition (NIH-funded). Dystonia as a network disorder

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I share educational information and lived experience. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

15/01/2026

12/01/2026

Assessing the range of motion in some one’s hands can give a lot of insight as to why they may be having pain. Be sure to work with someone that is hyper mobile aware!!!

11/01/2026

Did your chiropractor say you had a ‘leg length discrepancy’ that spinal adjustments could cure? This is exactly why that’s not really true and also why adjustments don’t really work. You have to address the muscles and movement patterns to promote proper bodily alignment. This is why your adjustments ‘don’t hold’ 😉

🧠🦴 QUADRATUS LUMBORUM (QL) MUSCLE

How Daily Habits Can Change Your Posture

The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) is a deep low-back muscle that connects your ribs to your pelvis. It plays a major role in postural control, pelvic alignment, and spinal stability—especially during everyday activities.

🔍 What the QL does:

Stabilizes the lumbar spine

Controls side-bending of the trunk

Helps maintain a level pelvis during standing & walking

🚨 How daily habits affect the QL:
Your QL often becomes tight or overactive due to common habits like:

Sitting with weight shifted to one side

Carrying a bag on the same shoulder daily

Standing with one hip “popped out”

Prolonged sitting without lumbar support

Sleeping always on one side without support

⚠️ When one QL becomes tight:

Pelvic hike on one side

Functional scoliosis or spinal side shift

Uneven hip loading

Low back pain on one side

Compensatory weakness in glutes & hamstrings

⚙️ Postural chain reaction:
Tight QL ➝ Pelvic asymmetry ➝ Altered spinal alignment ➝ Muscle imbalance ➝ Pain & movement dysfunction

✅ What helps:

Correct sitting & standing posture

QL mobility + side-bending stretches

Strengthening glute medius & core

Avoid habitual one-sided loading

Ergonomic work & sleep setup

🧩 Take-home message:
Your posture isn’t just about the spine—it’s about daily habits shaping muscle behavior. A tight QL is often a symptom, not the root cause.

📌 Fix the habit → restore balance → reduce pain.