For many, the idea of massage as healthcare is still a foreign concept, so often it’s not understood why massage therapists require all clients to fill out a health/intake form. However, this is a very important part of how we assess your needs for the session. While these forms provide us with the obvious contact information so we can get in touch if needed, more importantly, they give an overview of your health history and current conditions that may need to be taken into c

While many consider massage therapy to be a luxury or simply for relaxation purposes, you might be surprised to know that massage has many more benefits beyond that. Massage therapy has been shown to improve a wide variety of medical conditions, and here’s 5 that you may be surprised by. #1: Digestive Disorders Most clients don’t think to tell their massage therapist about digestive problems, but you may very well want to at your next session. First, many digestive issues are

At some point in your life you’ve probably had muscle cramps; when a muscle that normally only does what you tell it to do, suddenly gets a mind of its own and decides to contract, even when you tell it to calm down. They can hit during a workout or just when you move a certain way, or they may even wake you up in the middle of the night. Muscle cramps are very common, and while usually harmless, they can be extremely painful, and can signal that something else is wrong withi

Let’s just say it…migraines are awful! They’re a painful, debilitating, and all-too-common problem for many people. It’s estimated that up to 13% of the US population suffers from migraines. While many people seek over-the-counter or prescription drugs to ease their pain and prevent migraines, you may want to consider adding massage into your regular routine instead. Research has shown that massage can improve headache pain and decrease the frequency of migraines. But what ex

Frozen shoulder, also called Adhesive Capsulitis, is a condition characterized by thick bands of tissue (adhesions) forming around the shoulder joint. This can result in severe stiffness, loss of range of motion, and pain in the joint. The most noticeable effect is the inability to move the shoulder, either on your own or with assistance. This isn’t just a pain in the shoulder that makes you hesitate or resist movement, but an actual inability to move the joint. About 2%-3% o

A regular massage is often considered to be a treat, rather than a necessity. Most people believe that having a massage is good for aches and pains, or can help if they’ve overdone the exercise. Not everybody realizes that massage therapy is also a powerful painkiller that can even be used to help people with back problems to reduce the amount of medication they must take. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain and if you’re one of the 31 million American

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could have a massage every day of the week? Sadly, most of us don’t have the time or the money to indulge in quite such a regular massage routine, but we can make the most of massage treatments by taking care of ourselves in between massages. First rule – drink the water! There’s a reason why when you visit me at my office in Boulder City that I give you a bottle of water after a treatment; it’s to help hydrate your body and keep your muscles rel

Every day! Well, maybe that’s not practical, even though it would be nice. This is one of the most common questions clients at my Boulder City office may ask me, and it really all depends on WHY you get massages. Do you get massages for health benefits? Or, to help you relax and handle the stress of everyday life? Most likely it’s a combination of the two, so let’s look at some of the most common reasons to get regular massages: Relaxation & Stress Relief One of the very bes

Headaches can be a real misery and sometimes it can seem as if you’ve tried everything to get rid of them but they just keep on coming back. Painkillers can seem like the obvious choice because yes, they do work – but then the headache will often return. If you’re really unlucky you may also end up with a rebound headache which is common in people who take painkillers regularly. So, what can you do? If your doctor tells you that medically you’re fine and sends you away with i

Yikes!! I think I pulled my hamstring! It sounds like you need a massage! If you can't get in to see me at my Massage by Shawna studio in Boulder City right away, can some simple stretching help your hamstring? It sure can! Massage and stretching are both really helpful ways to keep your muscles relaxed, reduce tension and of course help recovery after an injury. Stretching helps to get the blood flowing to your muscles, which is great if you’ve injured yourself, or if your m