We offer this simple practice to help you find the calm that comes from relaxing mind and body. To start, lay down on your couch or floor with a blanket covering you so you are warm and comfortable. Take several slow deep breaths with long…
There is a growing body of research that shows a link between many forms of touch—from massage to hand-holding—and improved health. A study from the University of North Carolina found that sitting in close contact with a partner for just 10 minutes lowered blood pressure.…
We usually get sick when our immune system is compromised and cannot protect us effectively. This can occur when we’re under a lot of stress, not sleeping enough, or following a previous illness—all leaving our body in a weakened state. While acupressure cannot heal a…
Looking for seasonal allergy relief? Kathryn Roethel reported in the San Francisco Chronicle that researchers found acupuncture may be an effective treatment for the sneezing, watery eyes, and general misery that strike 40 millions Americans during this time of year. In a study published in…
Not permanence but change ~ its pace and its direction, is all that matters. ~ Freya Stark At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, we know that we all have an inherent ability to heal, given supportive conditions. The body-mind is a flowing process that changes…
Relaxation is an inborn, integrated physiological process that can be easily triggered just by setting up the right conditions. In quiescent relaxation, in which the mind is at rest, most energy-consuming physiological processes slow down, and there is a sense that we are being restored…
Sports Massage is a specialized form of Swedish Massage that we offer at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto. It focuses on enhancing athletic performance, boosting endurance, and facilitating post-event recovery. It especially benefits professional and amateur athletes, exercise enthusiasts, dancers, and performers. Sports massage practitioners…
Better self-care is a resolution that most people make each new year. We're all increasingly aware that stress reduction and relaxation are critical to our health. ‘Our bodies break down under the onslaught of stress—insomnia, anxiety, depression, and all chronic disease is made worse by…
Breathe deeply into your body. Expand your consciousness. Join your body’s fluid spinal wave motion. Meet the longing of your cells and tissues to expand, release, and be wet with your very own innate body wisdom. Breathe deeply into your body. Lengthening, releasing, and melting…
Our breath is more than a mechanical event. It is a literal and metaphorical doorway to healing. In each breath we change density and re-form, never in exactly the same way. This offers a great opportunity each of the approximately 12 times a minute that…
Did you know that high blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major contributor to heart disease? It also contributes to: Memory Loss: Hypertension can cause blood vessels to narrow or rupture, leading to stroke. But it has subtle neurological…
I would like to spend the rest of my days in a place so silent, and working so slow, that I would be able to hear myself living. ~ Elizabeth Gilbert Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto is a healing, quiet space in this world of…
A naturally occurring chemical produced in the brain when we feel safe, nurtured, and receive caring touch, Oxytocin acts like a hormone in our bodies to regulate the arousal level of our nervous system. It is also the hormone of attachment, the 'neural cement' of…
As 2022 comes to a close, we invite you to take a few moments to celebrate, with gratitude …. ~ the miracle of your body that, despite whatever weaknesses or limitations, serves you and allows you to sense the wonders of the world ~ the…
Clinical Deep Tissue massage works through tension, layer-by-layer, reaching the deeper muscles where persistent discomfort can be released. Much of the work is focused on bringing the body back into balance by working on the fascia—the soft tissue component of the connective tissue system. The…
Come to the woods —of your Being, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods —of your Heart. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ills. ~ adapted from John Muir At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, we provide a…
When you look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset, lovely light on the water, or a flower dancing with the wind — at that moment you get truly connected with the world and true happiness is unfolded in your heart. ~ Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurveda…
The constrictions of the heart and mind cannot be measured like so many pounds of pressure— they simply are there to be worked with, to help us find our way to our true nature. ~ Phillip Moffitt As our days become shorter and the dark…
Love has bridged the high-rises of despair we were about to fall between. Love has been a penlight in the blackest, bleakest nights. Love has been a wild animal, a poultice, a dinghy, a coat. Love is why we have hope. ~ Anne Lamott We…
When I wake in the morning, my mind slowly gathers, and I begin to move, the early morning light just starting to seep in. I have a glass of water, start the coffee, and begin my meditation. Afterwards I enjoy a good book, the quiet,…
As massage therapists, we get a first hand experience of the stress in the daily lives of our clients. Whether it be from difficult external circumstances or negative states of mind, the damaging effects of stress on the body-mind take a toll on your health,…
For most of us, it's hard to feel a sense of calm throughout our day. Stress and anxiety seem a normal part of our modern way of life. Here are suggestions to help create peace more of the time. They're most effective when practiced regularly.…
Spring has arrived and we invite you to get outdoors to let your senses delight in the amazing beauty of this season of renewal. Pause in silence, awe, and appreciation to let Spring’s exuberance enliven and nourish your spirit! With healing presence and skillful touch, our professional therapists…
It is the small things in life that open the heart — the laugh of a child, the beauty of a flower, the touch of a hand, a simple kindness.... Only the present moment can bring joy. There is no peace in striving toward the…
About 60% of the human body is made of water and staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do. Here are some benefits of water and ways to increase your intake: • Feeling tired is one of the first signs of…
The state of embodiment implies a perception of our physicality as well as a relationship to our sensations outside the realm of thinking. In other words, we are engaged much more in the brain stem rather than the neocortical part of our brain. Embodiment is…
'Sometimes the desire to be lost again, as long ago, comes over me like a vapor. With growth into adulthood, responsibilities claim me, so many heavy coats. I didn’t choose them, I don’t fault them, but it takes time to reject them. Now in the…
Cerebral Cardio: Aerobic exercise is associated with increased gray matter volume in the brain’s cortex, where memory networks are housed, says J. Carson Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Physical activity can also help protect the…
Neuroscientists, psychologists, and physicians agree equivocally that exercise is the best thing you can do for your brain. ‘The latest research shows the cognitive decline is not inevitable,’ says Laura L. Cartensen, Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, and author of A Long Bright…
Bodhisattva ~ Commitment to live the qualities of compassion, generosity, and meditation intending to alleviate all beings from suffering. Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto wishes you a wholesome transition into Fall.
Skin is the human body’s largest organ. The average skin, when stretched out, is 2 square meters and accounts for 15% of our body weight. Skin is the ultimate barrier and protector against harm the outside world can do to our body, protecting us from…
Says Bonnie Gintis, Osteopath, Continuum Movement teacher, and author of Engaging the Movement of Life: "If our bodies were able to move freely, the way they are designed to, without the constraints of habit, they would self-correct more often. Many people have lost the instinctive…
It’s well known that lack of adequate sleep can profoundly affect health and longevity. It can negatively impact the cardiovascular system, metabolism and blood sugar, cognition and learning, lead to anxiety and depression, lower performance and creativity, and increase your risk of accidents. It disrupts…
Sitting ~ Sit in an office chair. Align your back with the back of the chair. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, especially when tired. Keep your shoulders straight, shoulder blades moving slightly down the back and together towards each other. Flex your arms at a…
Sometimes you move like a well-oiled machine, and other times your body creaks like a rusty ten-speed, writes Stacey Collino in the August issue of Oprah Magazine. The body sounds and sensations we sometimes hear and feel are known as crepitus according to Joel Press,…
Tech neck is a repetitive stress injury caused by staring down at the small screen of your laptop, smart phone, or other mobile devices for long periods of time. The condition is most common in people with multiple digital devices, who are peering at them…
The more we practice finding something to be grateful for each day, the more it changes our way of seeing and being. A gratitude practice can help open our heart to all of life and boost our happiness, resilience, and sense of well-being. It can…
Many habits that support good physical health also support mental and emotional wellness. With a wide range of benefits, these simple self-care tips can help you stress less, lift your mood, and build resilience. Move your body to lift your mood ~ Besides supporting physical…
Better self-care is a resolution that most people make each new year, most often to lose weight, eat healthier, start exercising, or to spend more quality time with loved ones. We're all increasingly aware that stress reduction and relaxation are critical to our health. ‘Our…
Whenever we feel stressed, volatile, or are escalating into an argument, the stress hormones that are coursing through our body have revved up our nervous system out of our 'window of tolerance,' where we function at our best, not hyper-aroused or under-aroused. And whenever we…
The process of breathing is one of the greatest miracles of existence. It not only unleashes the energies of life, but it also provides a healing pathway into the deepest recesses of our being. To inhale fully is to fill ourselves with the prana of…
We begin to be grateful for what is, and if we live long enough and deep enough and authentically enough, gratitude becomes a way of life. ~ Mark Nepo Choose friends who are joyous people. See these people frequently and you will find your spirits…
Science is showing that our happiness and longevity are closely linked to how loved and connected we feel. Love nourishes us like nothing else, through the experience of feeling seen, accepted and valued. Our capacity for love and connection with others is rooted in self-love…
Lucia Miracchi, CMT, CHP, has contributed significantly to the field of somatic healing arts for over 35 years, both as a therapist and an educator. In 1981, she was a co-founder of Massage Therapy Center and Body Therapy Center School of Massage, where she was…
The lymphatic system is a branch of the circulatory system and a major part of the immune system. It is made up of organs (spleen, thymus, tonsils, adenoids) and lymph nodes and vessels. It produces the clear, extracellular fluid (lymph) that bathes the tissues and…
"Contentment if a paradox," writes yoga teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater, for Yoga Journal. "If we seek it, it evades us….It is like a shy cat that hides under the bed. If we try to catch it, we never will. But if we sit still and…
As the days become shorter and the dark becomes longer, Fall is an auspicious time to turn inward to honor quiet times of inner listening and being still within our bodies. At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto we support and encourage these precious living processes…
We work very hard in our lives. Often we don’t get adequate sleep. And rarely do we make time to rest during our demanding day. Just as athletes know that they need recovery time after a strenuous workout, those with stressful lifestyles also need recovery…
Many people who come to Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto schedule appointments well after they have suffered an injury, because the injury is not healing. But by that time, your body has developed holding patterns and scar tissue in reaction to the injury. These issues…
A popular but little-studied method of easing neck pain—by moving patients' necks in specific ways—may be more effective than traditional physical therapy or physician’s care, according to WebMD. A new study shows manual therapy as practiced in the US by chiropractors, osteopaths, and some massage…
Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto has been voted BEST MASSAGE by Palo Alto Weekly readers in the Best Of 2019 contest. We are very honored. After winning Best Of each year from 2011 through 2015, we received the Hall of Fame designation for 3 years…
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve at the wrist becomes compressed, resulting in pain, tingling, and numbness in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. Sometimes the sensory symptoms may seem to extend to the entire hand, forearm, arm, and occasionally…
Let yourself arrive. Land in your breath. Let your breath move all of you. Go deeply into yourself, deeply into what keeps you safe and vital. Here you meet the movement of your own precious attention. See what wants to go. Let go of what…
Antonio Espinosa, CMT, is a graduate of National Holistic Institute, with core and advanced studies. At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto he offers Clinical Deep Tissue Massage, Deep Work Massage, Neuromuscular Release, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, and Trigger Point Release. He is also an Ananda…
Bonne Schulman-Rust, CMT is a graduate of San Francisco School of Massage and Bodywork, where she is currently furthering her studies. She joined Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto in 2020. Bonne has worked extensively with competitive athletes, weekend warriors, couch potatoes, and tech workers. She…
Charlie received his training at the McKinnon Body Therapy Center and has regularly attended continuing education classes. At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, he offers Clinical Deep Tissue, Deep Work, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Release, Sports Massage, and Swedish Massage. His approach integrates the unique…
Dario Cordova, CMT, is a graduate of National Holistic Institute and has been in practice since 1995. He joined the Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto staff in 2019 and offers Clinical Deep Tissue Massage, Deep Work Massage, Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Release, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage,…
Janeel Rao, CMT, is a graduate of National Holistic Institute. He takes great pride in helping his clients feel more whole and stress-free. 'My goal is to discover and address each client’s needs. Focusing my intuition and anatomical knowledge, I release long-held physical tension, resulting…
Jiong Qin, CMT, received massage therapy training at Santa Clara University of East and West in 2014. She has found massage to be beneficial for chronic pain, mobility, flexibility, and for promoting mental clarity as well as overall well-being. Jiong supports healing and wellness through…
Julie Zheng, CMT, trained at the Bodi Panay Thai Massage Institute in San Francisco and has studied both Eastern and Western massage modalities. We welcomed Julie to our staff at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto in 2021. She has experience with a wide variety of…
Lara Berthiaume, CMT, has been a professional massage therapist since 1999 and has worked at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto since 2000. Says Lara, “I have always known that I wanted to be a professional masseuse—to me, it is such spiritually rewarding work and keeps…
Larry is a 1993 graduate of Body Therapy Center School of Massage with a well-rounded training in Clinical Deep Tissue, Myofasical Release, and Sports Massage. He joined the Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto staff in 2019. Larry's work focuses on treating clients for specific complaints…
Loan has a degree in Massage Therapy from De Anza College. She joined the staff at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto earlier this year and offers a wide range of modalities. She has experience helping clients with discomfort due to constant business travel as well…
Phoebe Selo, CMT, graduated from Western Career College in 2010 and joined the Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto staff in 2021. Her massage is a custom combination of deep tissue techniques, blended with integrative, restorative strokes. She is especially helpful as a recovery therapist for…
Steve Wang, CMT, a graduate of Sierra Massage School in Fresno, joined our staff at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto in 2021. To address each clients’ unique needs, his work incorporates Swedish, clinical deep tissue, and deep work massage, myofascial and neuromuscular release, and trigger…
Susan graduated from Body Therapy Center in Palo Alto in 1995. At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto she offers Clinical Deep Tissue Massage, Deep Work Massage, Swedish Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy. Susan believes that the body's inherent intelligence is continually seeking balanced, optimal functioning,…
Dr. Susan Xiuqing Cheng provides high quality Chinese Medicine treatments at Massage Therapy Center Palo, offering acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine, and lifestyle counseling. She has a unique educational background, with over 20 years of training and experience and has solid knowledge, including…
In a paper published in Frontiers in Immunology a few years ago, British researchers analyzed the findings from 18 previously published studies on the biological effects of meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, qi gong, and tai chi. Together, the authors say, the studies show that these mind-body…
Since the founding of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) in 1979, by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, there has been steady acceptance of the importance of stress reduction for health, as well as the need for patients to take on…
An explosion of research over the past two decades indicates that mindfulness meditation can physically change the brain and body in astonishing ways. Studies suggest it can make you happier, less stressed, even kinder to others. It can help you change your eating habits, and…
Mothering is one of the most important jobs you can do, and one of the most demanding. In the introduction to the book she co-authored entitled Mother Nurture, Jan Hanson writes ‘Being a mother has been the most wonderful, extraordinary experience of my life, and…
Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. For years scientists and doctors thought that brain and neural tissue couldn’t grow or regenerate. While they don’t act in the same manner as tissues in many other parts of the body, neurons can and do grow throughout…
Here are some general suggestions for improving your posture. And why good posture is important. You can talk with your professional therapist at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto for more in-depth input that fits your unique situation. Driving Sit with your back firmly against the…
In every culture and in every medical tradition before us, healing was accomplished by moving energy. ~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Nobel Prize winner, biochemist At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, our expert professionals take you to a timeless space where each felt moment is expanded into…
A fascia is a thin, elastic band or sheet of connective tissue that wraps most structures within the human body, supporting and protecting them. It attaches, encloses, stabilizes, and separates muscles and internal organs and generally acts as a shock absorber by creating tissue spaces.…
We at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto wish you love, connection, creativity, and appreciation that can be felt and shared with those around you as you sail into 2017!
Three scientists earned a Nobel Prize last month for their research that helped discover the clocks running in every cell in our bodies. ‘With exquisite precision, our inner clock adapts our physiology to the dramatically different phases of the day,’ the Nobel Prize committee wrote…
Updated August 2, 2021 Rest assured that all preventive measures are actively being taken to ensure your safety at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto. Anyone with current symptoms or recent exposure to a person with diagnosed Covid-19 should please stay home. Masks are required for…
At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto we know that massage is a great way to connect with your body. It's also a great way to connect with your partner. The simple act of caring touch can help two people bond by feeling each other in…
At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, we help you move into deeper states of relaxation that are optimal for healing both body and mind. We offer two powerful tools you can also use to help you calm your stress response—to support better sleep, immunity, and…
Why do we spend roughly 10 percent of our waking hours with our eyes closed, blinking far more often than is actually necessary to keep our eyeballs lubricated? Scientists have found that the human brain uses that tiny moment of shut-eye to power down. The…
Kindness gives us healthier hearts. It also strengthens our immune system, reduces aches and pains, makes us happier, and boosts energy and strength in elderly people. Acts of kindness are often accompanied by emotional warmth, which produces oxytocin in the brain and throughout the body.…
An empty moment grew immense as space. And suddenly happiness of being entered me. I heard in my heartbeat the birth of time and each instant of life one after the other came rushing in like priceless gifts. ~Anna Swir At Massage Therapy Center Palo…
Mindfulness of the body—noticing our physical sensations—can be a useful tool for stress management and greater resilience. In a research study, participants who noticed their physical state sooner were able to reign in the stress response before it escalated. This is because it’s much easier…
The breathing cycle happens about 720 times per hour, more than 17,000 times a day – without us ever even thinking about it! The biological wonder of a breath is easy to take for granted, and yet it is the most basic miracle of life.…
Legs-up-the-wall is an easy restorative yoga pose that can be a source of rest and invigoration. It benefits your whole body, not just feet and legs. You can do it for just 5 minutes, or longer. If you practice deep breathing in the pose, you'll receive…
We invite you to take a moment to look closely at these Spring flowers—the details, the color, the vibrancy. Then notice, at the same time, what you perceive in your body as you are being touched by this beauty. Is there a small movement inside…
Myofascial Release Bodywork is a safe and very effective technique that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. The therapist applies pressure into the direction of the restriction by following the motion of the tissue, barrier…
Healthy breathing involves the harmonious interplay of the rib muscles, abdominal muscles, and diaphragm, as well as various muscles throughout the body. Unnecessary tension in the muscles of our shoulders, chest, belly, back, or pelvis—whether it is caused by negative emotions, physical or psychological stress,…
Please rest assured that all preventive measures are actively being taken to ensure your safety at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto during this time of flu and coronavirus. All staff members thoroughly wash their hands and use Virucidal hand sanitizer before and after each session.…
Statistics show that one out of every six Americans suffers from chronic headaches—that's roughly 45 million sufferers every year. Every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine. More than $1 billion is spent on over-the-counter…
The itchy eyes, congestion, aches, and fatigue symptoms of pollen allergies can be debilitating. Here are some simple acupressure and lymphatic techniques that you can use to relieve your symptoms. Try using a combination of these for five minutes every few hours while your symptoms…
According to Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine of India, massaging your body with warm, pure oils promotes detoxification and stimulates circulation in the lymphatic system, a key component of the immune system. It also calms the nervous system to support health and healing. And…
At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, our expert therapists re-align your muscles and tissues so that you not only breathe better, but your sense of what is an appropriate decision speaks to you clearly and effortlessly.
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese bodywork that uses hand, knuckle, palm, elbow, and foot pressure on specific points located along energy meridians, in order to promote the free flow of ki energy, the circulating life force. Oriental Medicine maintains that disease occurs because of stagnation or blockage…
Stress and anxiety reduce our happiness and ability to enjoy our lives and loved ones. They also contribute to many types of afflictions of the body/mind. Here are simple and enjoyable ways to calm your stress response: Breathing. Simple and easy, deep breathing reduces stress…
A good reason not to slouch: poor posture actually accelerates the aging process according to Alice Chen, a psychiatrist at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery. It lowers lung capacity, interferes with digestion, and puts abnormal pressure on the spine. Here's how to give yourself…
Stillness is the state from which all other states arise. It is always present and overlaid by movement, since body and all its cells are always in quiet motion. We are 70% water, and water is paradoxically still and moving at the same — a…
Stress is accepted as part of our modern lifestyle. We shrug it off thinking it won’t impact our health, using unhealthy coping strategies to keep pushing on. But to stay healthy, the body-mind needs quiet time, to recover after stressful events and reduce the impact…
Swedish massage is the classic style of bodywork. It is a scientific system of manipulations of the muscles and connective soft tissue of the body—to support relaxation, rehabilitation, and health maintenance. It increases blood circulation, thus enhancing delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells…
The congestion and aches of a cold can be debilitating and depressing. Here are some simple acupressure and lymphatic techniques that you can use to relieve your symptoms. Try using a combination of these for five minutes every few hours while your cold is at…
Pregnancy Massage combines specific features of Swedish massage, joint mobilization, foot zone therapy, and connective tissue work to alleviate many of the physiological, musculo-skeletal, and emotional stresses of pregnancy. Clients receive the massage in a side position, with pillows and bolsters provided for support and…
The body knows things a long time before the mind catches up. ~ Sue Monk Kidd Our high quality therapists at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto will give you the best bodywork sessions to shore up your circulatory and immune systems, keeping you strong…
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health saw the first long-sought-after evidence that our brains may drain waste out through lymphatic vessels, the body’s sewer system. The results further suggest the vessels could act as a pipeline between the brain and the immune system. By…
Experts estimate that 80 percent of disease is stress-related. Thankfully, therapeutic massage and bodywork are available to combat this frightening statistic. The profound physical changes that massage has on your body will affect many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage…
Health and well-being require spaces of time for being still, where we can tap into the deep peace within, always present below even the most turbulent of surfaces. At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, stillness, mindful presence, and therapeutic touch help ground you in your body…
Living in California, we don’t get to experience the full miracle. Our year-round weather is too nice; the Earth does not appear to die sometime around the middle of November, only to resurrect itself in late March. We have flowers in all seasons. But Spring…
Human beings and other mammals are hardwired to be watchful for threatening situations. A part of our subconscious brain is always asking and answering the question ‘Am I safe?’ This is healthy, as long as we are able to recover from stress as readily as…
"Most people don’t know how to listen to the deep messages conveyed by the wisdom of their own biological process. Many people are able to follow someone else’s directions, but this is not as effective as learning to participate with one’s self ... It would…
Under the burden of solitude, under the burden of dissatisfaction, the weight of the world we carry is Love. ~ Allen Ginsberg The Weight of the World, painting by Etel Adman
I would have my ears filled with the world’s music. Let me hear all sounds of life and living. ~ Maya Angelou At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, our professional therapists are dedicated to being present moment-by-moment as the continuous creation of dialogue happens in…
Getting enough quality sleep (7–8 hours) is essential for health, brain function, and overall performance. If you’re having trouble sleeping, here are some good sleep habits that can help: Go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time…
The holiday season is filled with joy, and it’s also filled with food. Many people tend to over-indulge during this time, snacking on foods packed with sugars and drenched in salt, and this often leads to a little bulge around the middle. Overeating and putting on weight…
In Trigger Point therapy various methods are used to relieve and eliminate a hypersensitive area known as a trigger point—in the muscle, its tendon, or fascia. Usually the trigger point is not in the area of pain, but digital pressure over the point will elicit pain…
Perhaps for a moment, the wheels will stop rolling, the computers will go dark, and a hush will fall over the world. For an instant, in the stillness, the chiming of the celestial spheres will be heard as Earth hangs poised in the crystalline darkness,…
The latest science offers some simple and surprising things you can do to keep your heart going strong. Watch work stress ~ People in high-stress jobs may be at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you’re in a stressful work situation, be sure…
Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto has been voted BEST MASSAGE by Palo Alto Weekly readers again! After winning Best Of each year from 2011 through 2015, we received the Hall of Fame designation for three years and weren't allowed to participate until 2019, when we…
Last week The Palo Alto Weekly announced that Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto has been voted BEST MASSAGE by Weekly readers in their yearly Best Of contest! After winning each year from 2011 through 2015, we received the Hall of Fame designation for three years and…
When we are stressed, our body responds as though we are in danger and releases hormones that speed up our heart and breathing, to give us a burst of energy. This is known as the fight-or-flight stress response. Our bodies recover from normal short-term stress…
Craniosacral Therapy is one of the more gentle yet powerful therapies offered at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto. This modality uses gentle, fluid movements of the bones and tissues of the head, chest area, and hips to enhance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Imbalances are…
Deep Work Massage is a unique approach to bodywork and is distinct from Clinical Deep Tissue Massage. 'Deep’ refers to the opportunity for a deeply transformative experience, not to the amount of pressure used. Deep Work therapists have an educated understanding of the role of…
Neuromuscular Release incorporates deep yet gentle techniques for correcting unhealthy chronic tension patterns and structural imbalances. Developed by Langdon Roberts, M.A., CMT, this work combines current theories of neuroscience with therapeutic bodywork to ‘teach’ the client’s nervous system how to achieve and maintain the physiology…
Reflexology practitioners believe that there are major points in the hands and feet, with a rich supply of nerve endings that correspond to each organ and major muscle group in the body, and that stimulation of these points can have far-reaching effects. Reflexology practitioners use thumbs,…
Reiki is a Japanese hands-on healing practice that works with the human energy bio-field to promote balance throughout the whole system. It accesses the very high vibrational force in all living beings. To tap into the universal energy, or reiki, the practitioner attunes the person’s…
The relaxation response is a state of deep rest that changes our body's responses to stressful situations, both internal and external. It is as much an inborn mechanism as the stress response, and it is vital for reducing the negative effects of physical, emotional, and…
Each of our therapists at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto wants to support your quest for healing and wellness, and to give you a session that leaves you feeling well taken care of. Before you book your session, check over our therapeutic modalities to see…
Developing mindful listening to your body is a powerful self-care step that can improve your life. Your body speaks to you, warning you when things are out of balance. When you learn to hear these quieter distress signals, you can notice more quickly that you…
Poor posture is one of the more common causes of injury or pain that we massage therapists see in our practice. If you use poor body mechanics in your daily activities, your body will not have proper alignment, and the joints and muscles lose their…
Sensations, feelings, intuitions—through these we grasp our inner wisdom which gives us grounding and guidance. This deep intelligence does not speak directly through the mind; rather wisdom arrives in the emotional body and then travels to the mind as a 'knowing.' The mind thus analyzes…
While the brain has evolved to focus attention on negative stimuli to keep us safe, we now know that the brain is continually changing its structure, and we can nurture and build a more positive and happy brain. Rewiring our brain toward happiness is based…
At Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto, our professional therapists are dedicated to being present moment-by-moment to encourage the continuous creation that happens in concert with all healing possibilities. Creativity reigns!
Feet go through a serious growth spurt when you’re young, increasing a full size every four to eight months during your first five years. They stabilize around age 18 to 20, but once you hit your forties, you may need to start shopping for larger…
It is the quality of our attention and open-heartedness that matter most to our loved ones and are the best gifts we can give! During the busy holiday season, we often don't make time to truly nurture ourselves so that we can give peaceful presence to…
About 80 percent of Americans experience back problems at some point. Most people attribute back pain to their low backs or necks, but oftentimes issues in the upper back are actually to blame. Although the upper back, thoracic spine, doesn’t get much attention, it’s literally…
