Body Awareness & Self-Care

Grounding, sometimes called earthing, is really a very simple concept: reconnecting your body with the natural world beneath your feet. For me, grounding is not something new. I have known about it in one form or another for most of my life, long before I ever heard the word earthing.

One thing that doesn't get talked about very often is preparing your scalp before your massage session. If you've recently washed your hair, please give yourself a little extra time to let it dry before you arrive. It doesn't have to be perfectly dry, but it shouldn't be dripping or heavily saturated with water.

After a recent hospitalization and official diagnosis, I am making an important change in my massage business. I was recently officially diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). I had previously been diagnosed with Empty Sella Syndrome, and the two conditions are often associated with one another.

Not every client is comfortable lying face down during a massage session, and sometimes the body simply needs a different level of support. Side-lying positioning is a gentle and effective option that allows clients to receive massage therapy while lying comfortably on their side with the support of pillows and bolsters.

Many people notice that their headaches, joint pain, or body tension increase right before a storm. These symptoms are often associated with shifts in barometric pressure, the atmospheric pressure that changes when weather systems move through an area. For individuals who are sensitive to these changes, fluctuations in pressure may affect the body’s fluid systems, connective tissue, and nervous system.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel and foot pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes, becomes inflamed or irritated.

Living with diabetes often means planning things a little differently. Many people wonder what is safe, what is not appropriate, and whether massage therapy is something they should consider.

As we move into spring in, there is a simple wellness practice that many generations before us practiced naturally.

Lomi Lomi is a sacred Hawaiian healing art rooted in the spirit of Aloha, which represents love, compassion, harmony, and living in right relationship with self and others. It is more than massage. It is a spiritual form of bodywork that combines long, flowing forearm strokes with intentional breath and presence. Traditionally passed down through generations of kahuna and healers, Lomi Lomi has been an integral part of Hawaiian culture, using touch, rhythm, and mana.

It’s one of the most common questions clients ask: “Why do I feel sore or wiped out after my massage?” The answer depends on factors such as your health, body condition, and the type of bodywork that is performed. If your body is not used to massage or has been holding long-term tension, you may notice some temporary soreness after your session.

Reiki is not demonic, not satanic, and not associated with any harmful belief system. Reiki simply means Universal Life Force energy. It is a gentle, non-invasive energy practice that originated in Japan and was rediscovered and systematized by Mikao Usui. Reiki does not require belief in any religion, philosophy, or doctrine.

One of the most common things I talk about with clients is how the body communicates. During a massage session, especially in modalities such as craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, BodyTalk-informed work, or energy-based techniques, you may notice sensations or responses that feel unfamiliar at first. I want to reassure you that these experiences are normal, natural, and not strange or out of the ordinary.

Jaw pain, intraoral discomfort, TMJ symptoms, and issues following dental surgery can be extremely painful and disruptive to everyday life. In my office, I offer assessments to determine whether intraoral therapy may be appropriate for a client’s specific condition. When working with jaw related issues, it is not uncommon to find imbalances elsewhere in the body, particularly in the pelvic area, which may also need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive approach.

This article is part of a broader series on spiritual practices that can be incorporated into your daily routine. These practices are designed to support energetic awareness, personal boundaries, and spiritual hygiene in a world that is increasingly interconnected and intrusive. Just as we care for our physical and emotional health, tending to our energetic well-being is an essential part of living, working, and moving through modern life with clarity and intention.