4/18/17 Intercostals, Muscles of the Ribs Several muscles attach to, or interdigitate with the ribs: pectoralis major and minor, the scalenes, serratus anterior, serratus posterior superior and inferior to name a few. Since they attach to the ribs, they play a role in breathing. If you have had a cold or some other respiratory challenge, these muscles may be sore. But the muscles that do the...

3/29/17 Why Is He Massaging That Spot? You may have wondered this while receiving a treatment. You come to your appointment because you are having forearm, wrist or hand pain, but your therapist is working on your neck, shoulder and upper back. You’re thinking he didn’t hear a word you said or read the intake form you filled out before your treatment. Or, you’re experiencing back pain...

3/11/17 How Does Massage Therapy Work? We don’t know much about how massage therapy works. Although the body of research is growing, we still don’t have enough information to explain how we get the benefits we see daily in our clinics. I’ve been at it for nearly 20 years and feel like I’ve helped a lot of people, but I’ve always been wary of the claims one frequently hears from the...

What’s The Difference Between Strains and Sprains? Injury to muscles or tendons (the dense fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones) may be referred to as a strain, pull, or tear. Excessive pressure or sudden muscle movement is often responsible for this type of injury. All or a portion of the muscle or tendon may be effected when strained, and since it is a tear injury, there may be...

2/5/17 Grateful For Opportunity I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to build my life. I had a happy childhood. My parents were hard working people. My siblings and I were safe, protected, stimulated, cared for. I did well in school and had friends. I was able to participate in sports and was involved in a number of activities. I traveled regionally with the diving team and placed well in...

1/23/17 The Best Massage Let’s make your massage the best you’ve had! It is my intent to offer a premium service. I’m committed to presenting myself in a positive and professional manner, regardless of your reason for receiving therapeutic massage. If you’re here to relax, de-stress, or escape for a while, or to receive deep, penetrating shiatsu, trigger point therapy or deep tissue...

1/5/17 Teaching And Massage Therapy Before I began my career in massage therapy, I taught middle school language arts. I was fortunate to work with a lot of gifted students, and was even able to help several of them publish their writing. It was quite satisfying in some ways, but when the drawbacks of teaching 11-14-year-olds began to outweigh the benefits, I knew it was time to move on. After...

11/12/16 Peroneus Longus Trigger Points and Ankle Pain Trigger points or tightness in Peroneus Longus (Fibularus Longus) may cause ankle pain. The origin of Peroneus Longus is the proximal 2/3 of the lateral fibula, or the upper part of the smaller lower leg bone. The long tendon of the muscle then descends the outer leg, curves around behind and under the lateral malleolus, or outside ankle...

Appointment Policies • Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment time. I try to be timely and hope you will too. • Your first appointment will typically last 15 minutes longer than scheduled. • If you are late for your appointment, the session will still fall within the allotted time scheduled. • If I am late for your appointment, the session lasts for the full time allotted or...

10/11/16 Cupping to Release Fascial Restrictions I have provided cupping therapy since I opened Iowa City Shiatsu & Massage Therapy in 1997, but because of its exposure during the summer olympics this year more people are asking about cupping. Can it be worked into their massage routine? Will it enhance the benefits they already receive from shiatsu and massage? What does it do? Is it...