Cassie

What your massage therapist is REALLY thinking!

Awhile back, a client asked me to blog on things that clients are too embarrassed to ask their massage therapists and wanted me to ask our therapists what they are *REALLY* thinking during potentially awkward situations. Here goes:

Q: Do you prefer clients rest with their eyes open or closed when they are laying face up?

A: Closed! 100% vote closed. If your eyes are open, we worry you’ll be looking up our nose when we’re doing neck work and when we are doing a relaxation style massage, most of the time we’re in a zone and it is awkward if someone stares at us.

Q: Should I shave before a massage? Will you judge me if I don’t?

A: We don’t care. Honestly. We don’t shave for each other. I personally say “Why should I shave my legs for my massage therapist if I’m not going to shave them for my husband?” Also, we are totally fine massaging people who have back hair. We’d far prefer to massage someone with a hairy back than someone who just attempted to shave their back and has cuts and ingrown hairs we need to work around.

Q: My feet are gross, will my therapist judge me?

A: Most of us are in need of a good pedicure. Don’t stress about chipped nail polish, calluses (shoot, runners and walkers NEED calluses!), or cosmetic issues. Feet are feet. They contain 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles/ligaments/tendons. Things are bound to be wacky!

Q: I’m breastfeeding, what happens if I leak?

A: Don’t worry! We LOVE pampering new mamas. We have plenty of towels, don’t be afraid to ask for one. We also have many tables that have breast cut-outs that are softer so please feel free to mention this at booking so we can ensure you’re scheduled in one of the rooms with cut-outs.

Q: What happens if I pass gas?

A: We won’t mention it if you don’t! And it just means you’re relaxed. We won’t go telling everyone because we likely won’t remember it by the time the session is over. P.S. Your therapist is afraid of passing gas during your session too!

Q: Do male clients ever get an erection?

A: Sometimes, it is natural. Usually the client is asleep and I’m guessing they don’t notice it. We prefer that if it happens, our client doesn’t bring attention to it. We certainly will not point it out. We use sheets and a thick blanket for modesty. Please do not let this fear keep you from getting a massage. Like passing gas, it is one of those things that if you don’t mention it, your therapist will have forgotten it by the time the session is over.

Q: What does “Undress to your comfort level” really mean? What does my therapist prefer?

A: We are fine with underwear off or on. It is best if women remove bras. If men leave on *longer boxers, we aren’t able to do some kinds of massage on the upper legs. If women have brief shape wear style underwear that go up farther on the back, it will make low back work trickier, but we can work around anything. Glute work is easier sans undies, but if it makes you uncomfortable, please keep them on! I’d say personally my clients are about 50/50 everything off/underwear on.

Now that we’ve hopefully put your fears to rest, it is time to book your massage at East Village Spa! You can learn about our services here and when you’re ready to schedule, call (515) 309-2904 or book online!

Recover like an Olympian!

By now I’m sure you’ve seen or read about those circle-like marks on the Olympic swimmers and gymnasts. They are caused by a treatment called “Cupping” that is an effective way to ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and reduce fascial adhesions. Cupping can be done in a variety of ways from a manually pumping vacuum cups, by heating glass jars (fire cupping), and with silicone cups that we use at East Village Spa.

Michael Phelps posted a photo of his cupping therapy on his Instagram account.

At East Village Spa, many of our licensed massage therapists are trained to use silicone cups in a session. This addition to your therapy is especially beneficial in helping to break up muscle or fascia adhesions, scar tissue, and increase circulation to an area. Cupping is great for lymphatic drainage and helping treat areas that are difficult to stretch, like the IT Band. Instead of pushing into the tissue, the cups lift the tissue.

Cupping does not always lead to the circular marks everyone is talking about at the Olympics. These are caused when cups are left in one place for a long period of time. In the cupping sessions we do at East Village Spa, we typically leave cups a shorter period of time in one spot, or are moving them over an area to help lift the tissue. This therapy is combined with hands-on modalities like deep tissue, myofascial, or trigger point release.

Check out this video of our massage therapist Tisha demonstrating cupping on Molly:

If you are interested in booking a massage session that includes cupping therapy along with traditional massage, call (515) 309-2904 and ask to schedule a massage with one of our therapists with experience in cupping.

Acupressure Explained, by Guest Blogger Jamee Williams, LMT

Jamee Williams, LMT, demonstrates Acupressure on her colleague.

Our licensed massage therapist, Jamee, has been incorporating more acupressure techniques into her massage in recent months and her clients are enjoying excellent results. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the great work she can do with acupressure and am thrilled she agreed to share more with our readers.

The info contained below is by our expert, Jamee. Enjoy! ~Cassie

Acupressure Explained:

According to Chinese Medicine, qi is the vital life force of the body, which, when flowing freely nurtures, sustains, and heals. The qi is directed throughout the body by 12 channels called meridians. Each of these meridians then direct the qi to their corresponding organ points, and it is at these points that blockage (usually due to trauma of a physical, emotional, or mental nature) or stagnation occurs. It is stated that pain is the manifestation of stagnant or sluggish qi. Acupressure is the practice of tonifying or depleting excess energy at these points as needed, thus creating a harmonious balance between mind and body, yin and yang.

Acupressure v. Acupuncture:

The practice of acupuncture is 5000 years old and the first needles were made out of stone. Acupressure predates acupuncture and even massage by many generations as one of the first forms of medicine. While acupuncture is derived from acupressure, employing the same points and meridians, acupuncture uses various needling techniques requiring a more extensive clinical education. Acupressure relies solely on finger pressure and is non invasive. I have over 100 hours of training in acupressure and have spent the last two years adapting my massage technique to best relieve blockages and stimulate the inherent self healing capabilities of each client I work with.

What is an acupressure session like?

While acupressure points are potent and can be used singly, there are many possible sequences to choose from so I can personalize your treatment to specific needs. During a treatment, you will remain fully clothed, face up on the massage table, while I perform a sequence connecting different points and meridians along the right and left sides of the body. I will check in about pressure and encourage you to speak up if you experience any discomfort.

Pressure points are generally tender, but should not cause actual pain. A quiet, relaxed mind and body is essential for the work. It is just as important for the conscious mind to take a break as it is for me to focus on the work. My clients report a state of deep relaxation, well-being, and even lucid dreaming.

While I use acupressure in each massage, I am very excited to offer it as a stand alone treatment as the effects of a deeper, more focused application are much more pronounced and treatment possibilities much broader. Even so, acupressure is much like any other bodywork/self care regimen in that you get out of it what you put into it. Most imbalances take time to build up, so therefor cannot be permanently eliminated in one session. As acupressure is cumulative, you can expect relief after the first session, but depending on the nature and severity of the problem being addressed, it may take up to 3-5 treatments to achieve lasting results. At the end of each session, we will work together to develop a self care plan for you, and it is important to carry through on that for optimal results.

What can acupressure help?

As acupressure focuses on restoring and maintaining the homeostasis throughout the body and mind, any number of conditions will benefit including, but by no means limited to:

swollen joints/arthritis/rheumatism
joint and muscle pain
tendonitis/bursitis
depression and anxiety
lethargy/adrenal fatigue
insomnia
Sexual disorders
headaches/chronic migraines
chronic conditions that may not be responding to traditional forms of treatment
many more!

Thank you for taking time to learn more about Acupressure! Jamee Williams, LMT

Sign me up!

If you wish to schedule an acupressure appointment with Jamee, call (515) 309-2904 and request the “custom Eastern Massage” in 60 or 80 minute length. This is not available with an online booking. You will want to wear comfortable clothing (like gym or yoga clothes) as you will remain fully clothed. Jamee is currently our only massage therapist offering this service, which is why it is not available for online booking.

The value of professional skincare

Let’s say you are experiencing some skin break outs. Your first instinct might be to try the drugstore products you used in high school when you had teen acne, or to buy a full line of products at a home-party that is specifically labeled for acne. The problem with this approach is that breakouts, like many skin concerns, can’t be treated with a “one size fits all” approach. Without knowing the cause (stress, diet, hormones, bacteria, medications, etc…), breakouts are hard to treat and prevent. A licensed esthetician can help you get to the root of the problem, whether acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, etc… to address it with a customized approach.

Licensed estheticians are professional skin care experts. In Iowa, an esthetician is required to have a minimum of 600 hours of training in skin health, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, ingredients, and hands-on treatment techniques before they can sit for a licensing exam that allows them to provide facials, skin education, waxing, and powerful “professional only” treatments like chemical peels. Once licensed, they must continue their education regularly.

With an abundance of professional skincare lines and more advanced ingredients at their disposal, Estheticians have the ability to mix and match products to provide the most customized treatments for ideal results. Many estheticians invest much time and training to select the best professional line for their clients, paying close attention to ingredients, effectiveness, ease-of-use, cost, and complementary services like chemical peels to help maximize benefits.

A few of the benefits customers might expect with a professional use line:

Greater ability to customize products for desired results.
May need LESS product due to higher level of active ingredients
More pure ingredients for more potent results
Similar price points to mass-marketed or direct sales lines due to less money spent advertising to mass-markets. The savings are passed on to you!
Advice from a professional who has had extensive training in product chemistry
The ability to combine home care with professional treatments like facials or peels for more intensive results

At East Village Spa, another benefit of using a professional skin care line is a professional BEHIND the line. Not only will you have access to our estheticians for advice via e-mail, phone, or in-person, but our estheticians have direct access to those who formulate their products and thousands of their licensed peers for advice on particularly difficult skin care situations. We have even been able to submit (with client permission!) skin histories and photos to product educators to “crowd source” a perfect solution for unique cases from advanced professionals.

Too good to be true?

We’ll be honest: Professional skincare takes work. Your skin won’t likely become perfect overnight and your skin’s needs are always changing, but your esthetician will help guide you as your needs change, from pregnancies, life stress, new medications, seasonal changes and aging. Like exercise, you have to stick with it and be diligent to create change. You can’t go to the gym once and expect to your biceps to swell overnight!

Ready to learn more?

Set up an appointment for a facial with any of our licensed estheticians who are happy to help you learn more about professional skin care and offer you a service that is not only super relaxing, but really informative. Click here to schedule or e-mail [email protected] if you aren’t sure which facial is right for you.

Trusted Referral: Dr. Braxton Pulley at East Village Chiropractic

Dr. Braxton Pulley, owner of East Village Chiropractic

Our team can only do so much, so we trust other healthcare providers to complement the wellness services we offer at East Village Spa. Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to Braxton Pulley, DC, owner of East Village Chiropractic at 300 East Locust Suite 140. (515) 288-8058.

How long have you been providing chiropractic services? Our office opened in 2004.

What services do you offer? We provide chiropractic care for a variety of back, neck, arm, and leg injuries and chronic pain conditions. We also provide school physicals for student athletes.

What are some of the reasons people seek your services? Our primary focus is to make sure anyone that is hurting finds out what is happening and gets help. We are excellent at diagnosing conditions and provide fantastic care where we can. If we can’t help, we will work with the entire medical community to help find the best answer or referral for that person.

Are there specific conditions that you’ve had exceptional success treating? We have had great treatment responses to neck and back pain syndromes as expected for chiropractors. Several other injuries that have responded well to our care include shoulder and arm problems, hip problems, and issues with the feet. The combination of soft tissue work and chiropractic adjustments seems to provide great results with these challenges.

How do your services complement the services at East Village Spa? Most people working 9 to 5 with 2.5 kids and the picket fence often don’t have the time to properly take care of their body. We help people get started on the road to good health, but more is needed outside the care we can provide. The expertise and care provided by the massage therapists at East Village Spa is wonderful not only in aiding and treating muscular problems, but keeping you healthy overall.

What can people expect during their initial visit? The first visit is very straightforward and takes about 30 minutes. We have the usual forms to complete (which can be done early at www.eastvillagechiro.com) and then you will sit down with the doctor to determine what is going on with your pain or the concern that brought you in for a visit.

After an exam focusing on your areas of complaint, we will discuss what your diagnosis is and what options you have to take care of it. Often, we can help, but if we can’t, we will refer you where you can get the help you need.

Do you accept insurance? Yes, we accept most forms of insurance. Our staff will contact your carrier to verify your coverage to make the process easier for you.

How can people learn more about your services? Please visit our website at www.eastvillagechiro.com. We are also on Facebook and Google+ as EastVillageChiropractic. Also, don’t hesitate to call (515) 288-8058 with questions or to schedule an appointment. Dr. Pulley also welcomes your e-mails at [email protected].

To learn how East Village Spa services can be beneficial in conjunction with your chiropractic care, talk to Dr. Pulley or learn more about our services at www.EVDaySpa.com

East Village Spa and East Village Chiropractic have won Des Moines' Best awards year after year. We are proud to work closely with Dr. Pulley! — East Village Spa and East Village Chiropractic have won Des Moines’ Best awards year after year. We are proud to work closely with Dr. Pulley!

More Waxing FAQs: Your most delicate questions answered!

Our friend Colleen from Star 102.5 and I chatted awhile back about how it seems like all of a sudden lots of women our age (and quite a bit older) are starting to get bikini and Brazilian waxes regularly. Colleen invited her East Village Spa esthetician Camille to visit with her on air to share a few pointers with her listeners who might be considering getting waxed for the first time.

We wanted to share the info with you too since we didn’t have time to cover it all on-air. Plus we know that your most burning questions might have been to delicate for a morning radio show.

Colleen (left) and Camille discussed waxing on air on Star 102.5

Q: Isn’t bikini waxing just for twenty-somethings?

A: Maybe that used to be the case, but we see lots of women who are older, even grandmas, in for regular maintenance bikini and Brazilian waxes! First of all, hair starts to migrate as we age so while someone might not have felt the need to wax at 22, they might notice more hair creeping further down their legs in their 30s or 40s. Second, women wax for many reasons, whether because they like the look or they like not worrying about stray hairs when they wear a swimsuit. We find it is popular with busy moms and athletes who feel like they get less irritation from workouts like running and biking without hair. Shaving is really hard on the skin so many women are just ready to be done with razor burn.

Q: Does waxing hurt?

A: Yes! But we all agree that the more you wax, the less it hurts. Your skin becomes used to it and your hair grows back finer over time. A product like the Relax and Wax “no scream cream” applied 45 minutes before a wax service can help dull the sensation. Most of us feel like waxing hurts way less than painful razor burn.

Q: I’ve shaved forever, do I actually need to grow out my hair to wax?

A: According to Camille, you will need at least 1/4 inch of hair for the wax to work (most people can do this in 2 weeks). If your hair has grown 3-4 weeks, you’ll get a better result because the hairs on a different growth cycle will have had time to catch up.

Q: What about my “backside?” Do people really wax that?

A: The majority of people who get Brazilian waxing wax the back side as well. To quote one of our team members, “It looks odd if you wax the front and not the back.” Our estheticians have been waxing many years and guessed that 95% of Brazilian wax clients opt to wax the backside during a Brazilian.

Many first-timers are most freaked out about the backside before their visit, but all of our estheticians agreed it is the easiest spot for them to wax, and the least painful for the client. One of our estheticians also wanted to reassure self-conscious guests that in 6 years of waxing she has seen lots of rear ends and the space between the cheeks looks about the same on every single woman and this is no big deal for your esthetician.

Q: Do I need to get on all fours if they wax my backside?

A: At East Village Spa, our estheticians prefer having the client stay on their back but bring their knees up to their chest when doing the backside. They only use the “all fours” or other methods like side-lying for reaching the backside for women who can’t bring their knees to their chest (for example, someone who has had a hip replacement or who is farther along in a pregnancy).

Q: Is the esthetician there when I undress?

A: No, you will have privacy to disrobe from the waist down and your esthetician will leave you with a cleansing wipe to thoroughly clean the area to be waxed. You’ll be able to drape yourself with a towel for modesty while she re-enters the room, but she will remove the towel while she’s working.

Q: Is it weird for the esthetician doing my wax?

A: Camille said this is the number one question her first-timers ask and she has been waxing for years and sees it as a part of her job to help people with skin care and grooming, very much like it is normal for a doctor to examine and treat people. Camille typically sees 10 or more Brazilian wax clients each week; sometimes 50% of the services she provides in a typical week are waxing services! She knows her clients appreciate her fast, safe, and professional services and she’s happy to be able to provide something that helps women.

For more information, check out the FAQs section on our website here.

Have other questions about female waxing or ready to schedule? Give us a call at (515) 309-2904 or book online here!

East Village Spa’s Top Picks for International Day of Yoga

June 21st is the 2016 International Day of Yoga. Many of our team members and clients benefit from their regular yoga practice. We wanted to share some of our favorite local yoga instructors and some ideas for experienced and new yogis alike!

Our esthetician, nail technician Hannah recommends Ben Spellman from Good Vibes Yoga, with classes throughout Des Moines and at Shakti Yoga. She also recommends Brette’s classes at Shakti Yoga. For a different twist on Yoga, she also suggests trying the acro yoga classes at Power Life led by Brett Aronson and Tiffany Thomas.

Our massage therapists Tiffany, Jamee, Camdine love going to Ofelia Moore’s yoga classes.

If you’re completely new to yoga and find it a bit intimidating, a good place to start is your local YMCA. The South Suburban YMCA is welcoming with classes for diverse ages and fitness levels including gentle yoga, great for those new to yoga, aging adults, or people with injuries. The YMCA’s Restorative Yoga classes can are beneficial for athletes and help boost energy levels. Many people are already YMCA members and classes are FREE with your membership so why not?

Not sure where to start? Of course, it is always best to work with an experienced instructor to make sure you’re doing to poses properly to avoid injury, but if you can’t make it to a class or want to see more of what Yoga is about, check out the library of free videos at www.doyogawithme.com.

You can also look into one of the FREE International Day of Yoga events like the Iowa Circus Academy’s free class at the Des Moines Social Club.

We know there are lots of excellent yoga instructors, studios, and pop-up classes throughout the metro. We’d love to hear from you, please share your favorites!

Celebrate National Iced Tea Day!

I’ll admit to being a few cups of coffee in (early morning) while driving to work when I heard on the radio that it is National Iced Tea Day so I couldn’t resist a stop at my favorite East Village neighbor, Gong Fu Tea for an iced herbal tea.

Can’t decide which kind of iced tea you’d enjoy to help you cool off today? I got some suggestions from tea expert, George Taylor at Gong Fu.

Herbal Tea Suggestion: According to George, a fruit-flavored herbal tea like Fruit Fantasia (my pick today!) with a Rooibos base is a great choice. He explained that because rooibos absorbs flavor well, it is frequently used as a base for many herbal teas. Because it does not contain caffeine, it is a good choice for an evening beverage or for kids. These teas are high in vitamin c and antioxidants. The fruity rooibos blends like raspberry delight, peach rooibos, or fruit fantasia might even work as a juice substitute for kids, especially if you add a touch of natural sweetness from honey.

Green Tea Suggestion: George recommends Moroccan mint. It is great hot, but when iced, the mint really pops to make it super refreshing and cooling on a hot day.

Black Tea Suggestion: In the midwest, a good, straight black iced tea is popular. George suggests the ceylon black tips tea. He recommends it because while it is a nice standard black iced tea, it is a much better quality version than the mass marketed brands. This tea is not too light or too strong and doesn’t become astringent when iced.

Gong Fu Tea Collage — Left to Right: Gong Fu Awning, My Fruit Fantasia iced tea in progress, our friend George Taylor, who is one of our favorite reasons to visit Gong Fu, and the beautiful vibrant red Fruit Fantasia.

Visit Gong Fu, just a block north of East Village Spa, at 414 East 6th Street.

Ideas for Dads

Did you know that 47% of spa goers are men? According to the International Spa Association President, Lynne McNees “The number one reason both men and women visit a spa worldwide is to learn how to manage their stress. Men and women may deal with stress in different ways, but surprisingly, they both find spas as an outlet.”

Father’s day is a perfect opportunity to share the benefits of stress reduction and pain relief with the men in your life. The following our are top suggestions for gifts for dads (or grandpas!)

Products for Pain Relief:

Tiger Balm patches and salves are great for guys who complain of soreness. Our massage therapists incorporate tiger balm into many sports massages as well. The patches are great self-care and really popular with men.

Kneipp arnica products are another popular choice for guys. The joint and muscle active gel has an instant cooling effect, while the arnica cream is unscented and absorbs into skin quickly. They are great for arthritis pain, bruising, inflammation or tenderness.

Stress Relieving Products

Whether he tosses and turns all night or needs some general stress relief, Kneipp herbal baths have lots of solutions. The Sweet Dreams bath includes Valerian and Hops and is a perfect prelude to a good night of sleep.

Gift Certificates

East Village Spa gift cards are a perfect gift for father’s day! You can purchase them in a denomination or for a specific service. Some of the most popular treatments for men are:

The EV Signature Massage which is great for stress relief
The Athletic Edge Sports Massage which addresses specific injuries are areas of tension
The Wellness Massages (30, 50, or 75 minutes “no frills” therapeutic massage)
The Men’s Hand and Foot Treatments (a relaxing nail grooming service)
The Wellness Facial is perfect for men with dry skin or shaving irritation.

Gift cards are available in the spa or through our website!

menspedicure — We aren’t joking, men LOVE pedicures!

Resource: ISPA Male Consumer Insights Study, 2014.

Healthy Summer Salad: Blueberry, Kale and Quinoa

Yesterday was a perfect day for a cold salad on a warm deck with a chilled glass of white wine or iced tea. I’d been traveling for 10 days and I could tell my body was craving “real” food so I turned to a favorite, Blueberry, Kale, and Quinoa salad.

Ingredients:

3/4c. dry quinoa cooked prepared according to package directions*

1 1/2 c. blueberries (p.s. the blueberries I got from HyVee yesterday were so good they almost didn’t make it into the salad!)

4-6 big handfuls of Kale from a bag of salad-ready Kale (it will be tender enough you won’t have to pre-cook it) No Kale? Spinach works great too!

3/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

1/2-2/3 c. chopped pecans, lightly toasted (toss them in a dry pan on medium heat to lightly toast, you’ll know when they’re ready because they’ll get more fragrant)

2-3 T. Olive oil

Juice of one lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

*If you don’t have package directions, bring 3/4 cup quinoa with 1 1/2 c. water to a boil on the stove top. Cover pan and continue to simmer on low to medium-low heat 15 minutes. If all water is not yet absorbed, cook a few more minutes.

Instructions:

Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to make dressing

Mix all ingredients together except for dressing

Toss with dressing to coat and chill for at least an hour to let flavors combine. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve cold or room temperature.