Author: Miracles Massage

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3 Reasons You May Need a Hot Stone Massage

Do you love the results of a deep tissue massage but find the pressure to be a little too much for you? Good news! A hot stone massage uses techniques similar to Swedish massage (long strokes, kneading, and rolling) but allows the therapist to penetrate deep tissues by using the heat from stones rather than by additional pressure. Even better news, it has wonderful benefits for your whole body, mind, and spirit.  

Before we get into the benefits, let me explain how the process works, in case you are not at all familiar with this type of massage.

It is important to note that the stones used in this type of massage cannot be any old rock you find in your driveway or along the hiking trail. Basalt rocks, or volcanic rocks, are used for this type of massage because they have a high iron content, which allows them to retain heat well. The stones have been smoothed by riverbeds or seawater and are generally dark gray or black in color.

How it works:
Step One: Therapists warm stones either in water or in a professional warmer to ensure stones are at the proper heat level.

Step Two: Once heated, the stones will be placed on different parts of your body. As with any massage, placement varies depending on the desired outcome of the massage. Most often, though, the stones are placed on your back, abdomen, face, palms, and chest.

Step Three: The therapist will usually let the stones rest on your body for a short time to allow the heat to begin penetrating your skin. As the stones are working their magic, the therapist will start to warm up other places of your body like your arms and legs. Using their knowledge of anatomy, the therapist will guide the stones over your body with the aid of essential oils.

Now that you understand how the massage works, let’s briefly explore three reasons you may need a hot stone massage.

1. Relieves Pain
Hot stone massage is a wonderful treatment for people who suffer from diseases linked to the nervous or muscular system. People with autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis have reported that hot stone massages lessens their pain and improves their range of motion.

2. Decreases Muscle Tension
Therapists place stones on specific trigger points of the body. This technique penetrates the body’s tissue, allowing blood vessels to open and improve circulation. The increase in blood flow will help reduce inflammation, which causes uncomfortable and even painful tension in muscles.

3. Helps to Alleviate Chronic Stress and Anxiety
We all experience stress and while some stress is healthy, chronic stress can negatively impact your health resulting in a variety of health issues like cardiovascular events, overeating, insomnia, and anxiety. Hot stone massages will calm the mind while also increasing circulation and stimulating your metabolism.

For questions or to learn more about the benefits of hot stone massages, contact us!

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10 Things You Need to Know About Massage

If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I am passionate about helping people feel good in their bodies. I want to share what I know so others can achieve balance in their minds, bodies, and spirits. I came up with a list of 10 things, I think everyone should know about massage.

First, here are five unusual benefits to massage.

1. Massage Eases Tension Headaches
Many people, particularly those who are over stressed, suffer from tension headaches. Before you reach for the bottle of Tylenol, consider a holistic approach to easing your pain: massage. Neck tension restricts blood flow to the brain, which will lead to headaches.

2. Regular Massage Relieves PMS Symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome is a natural part of a woman’s life. Some of us have a more difficult time with it than others; however, massage is a key ingredient to alleviating aggravating symptoms.

3. Massage Reduces Muscle Tension
Our bodies aren’t meant to be sedentary for 8, 9, or 10+ hours a day. The average American sits shoulders rolled forward as they pound away on a keyboard all day. The repetitive improper posture negatively impacts muscles causing tension, aches, and pain. Massage helps to elongate those muscles and restore them to health.

4. Therapists May Help Spot Skin Cancer
Therapists see the back of you for extended periods of time. For example, you likely do not stare at the back of your legs or your lower back.  For clients who get regular massages, a therapist may be able to identify changes in the skin.

5. Massage Aids Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be caused by issues in the hips, legs, or abdomen. Massage helps to alleviate pain when key areas are targeted. Additionally, if there is tightness in the lower back, a therapist may ask you to lay flat so they can examine if one hip is higher than the other, that can be the source of the pain.

Now that you know more incredible benefits of massage, here are five things to remember during a massage.

1. You’re the Boss of Your Body
You can stop a massage any time for any reason. You may experience discomfort and ask the therapist not to massage that area or you may discover a pain you didn’t know was there and ask the therapist to linger there a while longer, whatever the reason, don’t be afraid to speak up. Please, please remember it is especially important to stop the massage if you feel unsafe.

2. It’s Okay to Fall Asleep
Massage promotes relaxation. In your everyday life, you’d be considered quite rude if you fell asleep during a wellness appointment, but that is not the case in massage therapy. It’s actually a lovely compliment to the therapist because it shows you are relaxed, comfortable, and the massage is working.

3. Bodily Noises Aren’t Uncommon
Massage stimulates blood flow throughout the entire body. It helps aid digestion and the lymphatic drainage system. Your stomach may gurgle or growl or make other funny noises. It shouldn’t be embarrassing and prevent you from continuing to reap the relaxing benefits of massage. It’s simply your body’s way of releasing toxins and relaxing.

4. Occasional Groaning Happens
When a client has a particularly tight muscle being worked out, it is common to give a soft moan or groan here or there. As long as you aren’t too over the top, it isn’t an issue.

5. Health History Matters
It’s important to be honest with your therapist about your health history. Your therapist isn’t trying to pry into your personal life so they can gossip about it later, there are medical conditions that change the course of treatment. The goal of massage is to serve you and restore your body to a balanced, healthy state. Honest, friends, is always the best policy.  

For more benefits and things to remember about massage, contact us.

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Uncovering Why Miracles Massage is Different

I believe massage has incredible power to promote healing within our bodies, which are often neglected until something is out of alignment. Massage is a gateway to better overall health. Understanding the benefits of regular massage has the power to change the course of your future medical picture, in many cases. It’s that powerful.

When I began my blog, I hoped to educate and encourage my readers about massage, self-care, essential oils, and really, all the natural tools available to us for a healthful lifestyle. I believe Miracles Massage is different from some other massage establishments because of my commitment to my clients’ health and my passion for sharing my knowledge gained as a therapist, as well as my studies at Baltimore School of Massage.

Let’s uncover why I’m different from other therapists, and more importantly, why I believe regular massage is beneficial to your health.

1. Thoughtful Intention in Every Massage
I really like to focus on the aspect of healing. I try to spread love and gratitude to other people. As I work on my clients, I put a real intention into each massage with the hopes that they leave my session feeling great, grateful, healthy, relaxed, and happy. Therefore, their next transaction with another human will be a positive one. I put a lot of intention in my messages so that the ripple effect of the good feelings acquired during massage will go out to other people in future interactions. I do a lot of meditation on being the catalyst for the betterment of mankind through my massage.

2. Healing Through Touch is Real
I am a true believer in the healing art through touch. Massage stimulates brain activity and growth in babies. For example, using a gentle circular technique to massage their head. Studies also show the difference between newborns who are cuddled and those who are not touched. The cuddled babies really thrived and the ones who weren’t touched, in some cases, had a failure to thrive so there’s onus in scientific-proven studies. I’ve seen it through my own work, so I’m a real true believer of healing through massage.

3. Stress is a Catalyst for Dis-ease
Too much stress is terrible for the body. Whether you are financially, emotionally, or physically stressed, you are putting yourself at risk for a host of health problems. Reducing your stress will reduce the chance of getting some diseases like cancer, as well as dis-ease, which can be related to poor posture.

4. Regular Exercise, Self Care, and Diet Preserve Our Bodies
I believe that our bodies self heal and that we walk around in our own little healing machines. Many people don’t realize they are in pain until massage releases the tension they were holding. When supported by regular exercise, continuous self care, and a healthful diet, our bodies can withstand the natural progression of age better and longer.

5. Massage Supports Better Immune Systems
Our immune systems can become strengthened. Blood can become stagnant, which we call knots. It’s really congestion of any certain place of muscles. Moving blood will help to get rid of garbage blood, through designated drainage areas.

6. Massage is Custom Designed for YOUR Health Needs
I want my clients to feel better. We all live with this underlying pain and we think it’s normal, but it’s not. Regular massage restores the body to balance. I listen to my clients’ needs when they come in and then as I work on them, I also adjust to what their body tells me. The goal is for my clients to feel at ease, lighter, taller, and more like the best version of themselves.

I think we all should be concerned with our health. It’s probably not the most popular thing to do right now because we’re so busy working or running from here to there. A regular self-care routine in our lives is very beneficial. It includes massage, of course, but also exercise, a healthful diet, and even keeping our thoughts positive.

If you have questions on the benefits of massage or how massage therapy can benefit your individual needs, contact us, today!

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4 Truths About A Mother’s Intuition

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” – Agatha Christie

Many mothers can give an account of a time they just knew something was wrong with their child, something didn’t feel right, so they just reacted. Talk to any mom and she can probably recall a time she raced to her child when danger was looming, or when she didn’t accept what someone was telling her about her child’s diagnoses at a doctor’s office or school. That’s what we call a mother’s intuition. Moms know their children and can often anticipate their needs before a word is spoken.

Our society is filled with distractions and the need for multitasking, there are times though, when despite the noise all around, a mom silences the world and hears only the language she shares with her child. Mother’s have a sixth sense when it comes to their children. The animal instinct to protect is real and strong. Here are four truths about a mother’s intuition.

1. Your Gut Won’t Lie
It is important for moms to listen to what their gut is saying. As tempting as it may be to shrug off the nagging feeling that something isn’t right or to chalk it up as simply unfounded worry, moms must trust their gut instinct. A new mom, local to me, was concerned about her infant son who was crying and inconsolable. Friends said she was probably overreacting. On instinct alone, she went to the ER and her son was diagnosed with late-onset Group B Strep, which left untreated would have been fatal. A mama’s gut doesn’t lie.  

2. Moms Knows Things Others Don’t
Having confidence in your ability to advocate for your child can be tough, particularly when your opposition has a medical or educational degree with many years experience behind them. The key difference is that moms (and dads) truly know their children better than anyone, and care more about the well being of their child than anyone else. Mothers watch and listen, they find strange ways to communicate with their children and they will stop at nothing to fight for them.      

3. Others Will Benefit From Your Insight
There are times when people in a position of authority try to downplay a mother’s instinct or concerns because they see no evidence supporting the claim. Google will return thousands of accounts of times when moms instinctively knew their child had an injury, a medical concern, or a serious educational challenge. It can be difficult for moms, but they have to learn to never say ‘uncle’.

4. Mommy Brain Isn’t Just for Forgetfulness
other’s intuition is not a new concept, it has been around for centuries; however, now we live in a time when science supports it. People joke about mommy brain, when new moms seem to live in a fog and constantly forget things. Research shows that the brain of a mother changes once she has children. Scientists say a signal is sent to a mother’s brain when a newborn is crying. What’s more, 63 percent of boy moms may have part of their son’s DNA in their brain.

Do you have an experience of mother’s intuition? I’d love to hear about it. For more information on mothers’ intuition or to share how you acted on instinct, contact us!

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3 Essential Oils to Thwart Seasonal Allergies

It’s a beautiful scene all around us, lawns are turning green, bare trees are starting to fill in, flowers are blooming, it’s what we’ve been waiting for all winter. Brilliant color has finally returned to cheer us as the days grow longer and we enjoy warm evenings and fresh air. The only slight snag is the yellow film of pollen that dusts our outdoor furniture or the sounds of ah-ah-choo followed by the honking of someone blowing his nose.

Unfortunately, seasonal allergies often accompany the sights and sounds of spring. Don’t be discouraged, though, here are three essential oils to help you thwart nasty allergies and get back to basking in the glorious sun-filled spring day that awaits you.

1. Tea Tree Oil aka Melaleuca Oil
Tea Tree Oil is a magnificent essential oil that will boost your immunity while speeding up the healing process. It acts as an expectorant, providing relief for a cough and congestion. It is also antibacterial so it will kill mold and bacteria that live in your home. Tea Tree Oil blends well, so you can pair it with your favorite oils and diffuse it or use it during an at-home massage. It is known for treating skin irritations that develop from seasonal allergies. Using a cotton ball, you can gently rub the Tea Tree Oil on rashes or hives.

NOTE: Tea Tree Oil should NOT be ingested. This oil should only be used topically or when properly diffused.

2. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint Oil is a natural energizer that can be used to boost your immunity and energy level. Because it contains menthol, this essential oil is excellent for treating respiratory issues associated with asthma, congestion, coughing, scratchy throats, and blocked sinuses. It is an expectorant that can be applied to the chest through a cold rub. Additionally, the menthol in Peppermint Oil gives a cooling sensation to the skin relieving pain associated with rashes.

3. Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil is a household favorite because it is incredibly versatile. This powerhouse oil is antibacterial, antiviral, and a natural calming agent. While it is busy helping to boost your immunity and treat respiratory issues, it will also relax you and aid in your sleep disturbances. Allergy sufferers often complain of headaches and pressure. Lavender Oil helps to calm and relax you. It can be applied to your temples with gentle circular rubbing, diffused as you work or sleep, or dropped into a bath allowing you to breathe deeply.

Essential Oils are a natural alternative to medication. They are known to reduce pain and inflammation, boost immune systems, and block allergens that lurk in your home or office. If you would like more ideas on thwarting seasonal allergies or need help using essential oils, contact us!    

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5 Tips to Restore Balanced Harmony

Creating a balance of the body, mind, and spirit can be difficult if you are not mindfully aware of what is going on around you, the people who influence your energy field, and the way in which you deal with negativity as it arises.

Think about the different aspects of your life- home, work, family, and other relationships. From time-to-time have you found yourself in a rut? Do you ever feel like you are in a downward cycle? No matter how hard you try, you can’t pull yourself out of it?   

The energy we carry with us combines our past, our dominant thoughts, and our perception of the world around us. As you navigate your way through the world, remember that you have the power to change your personal energy and the energy in the space around you. (Hello, and welcome smudging!)

Over the past year, I have written several blogs giving examples of the causes of negative energy and solutions on how to guard yourself against it. Here is a collection of my favorites in one handy post to help you as you work toward removing negative energy from your life and restoring balanced harmony.    

1. The Gender Wars: How Men and Women Manage Energy Differently
In order to effectively manage negative energy, it is necessary to understand from where our energy comes, and how the sexes deal with it in different ways. How you deal with negative energy may not be the same as your partner, boss, or colleague. It is important to remember our energy comes from four wellsprings: body, emotions, mind, and spirit. Learn how to ensure your four wellsprings are in balance. Read more…

2. The Art of a Reiki Massage
Reiki is an ancient practice with incredible health benefits. It is a wonderful way to restore balance to the body’s energy level while increasing its self-healing ability. The positively charged energy from your therapist’s hands will transfer to your body, allowing the therapist to free unbalanced energy to flow within your body. Learn how Reiki will add a little zing to your massage experience. Read More…

3. How Playlists Will Improve Your Mindfulness
Sometimes we look to music to boost our energy level, get us psyched up for a fun night out, keep us motivated during a workout, calm heightened anxiety levels, or even soothe our interrupted sleep. Music has the ability to change the energy we possess when we mindfully focus on it. There are three perks for using music through mindful playlists and there are three playlists you should have on the ready for when life comes on a bit too strong. Read more…

4. Mastering Mindfulness
To achieve peace and joy within yourself you have to be mindful in your daily life, focusing on the positive and avoiding all the ways negative energy can creep into your psyche. This post gives you 10 actionable items to ensure you are staying focused and are aware of negative influences. Read More…

5. It’s a New Day, Stay Mindful ALL Year Long
Just because we are approaching May, doesn’t mean you can’t make a year-long commitment to focusing on a positive new you. You can take steps to combat negative energy, be present, and positively charged on a Wednesday in April, May, or October! Explore how to release negative energy, and how to find ways to release that negative energy in your life. Read More…

If you are looking for more ways to remove negative energy from your life and replace it with balanced harmony, contact us! Also, ask about which essential oils may help your specific needs.

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Reduce Cellulite with One Unique Ingredient

Many women feel cursed by the little dimpled or bumpy spots that appear on their otherwise smooth skin. It can be a cause of frustration or embarrassment, particularly as we approach swimsuit season. Whether the BMI calculator puts you in the underweight, normal, or overweight category, you may not escape cellulite. Frustrating as it may be, there is a solution!

Understanding Cellulite
Cellulite is more common among women than men, and unfortunately, ladies, it only gets worse as we grow older. Why? Elasticity. Our skin changes as we age.  It is a complete myth that only overweight people have cellulite. The root cause of cellulite actually has to do with connective tissue beneath the skin. Inefficient lymphatic drainage systems or hormonal imbalances that cause fat cells to convert into cellulite can also play a role in those pesky pockets, or dips, in your skin. Take heart, you can confidently pass the buck on this one, in some instances.

Stating the Obvious
Like anything, there is no magic in a bottle that will completely rid your body of cellulite. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes healthful eating habits, regular exercise, and frequent self-care routines will help a great deal.

Cupping for the Win!
Massage has countless benefits for the entire body, mind, and spirit. It is known to move fluid throughout the body and help release stagnant toxins. It promotes relaxation and releases all the good feels of hormones like serotonin and dopamine. The movement of fluid will help break up the hardened connective tissue under your skin. Cupping is a form of non-invasive healing that captures tissue deep beneath the skin pulling it upward. It is a more concentrated therapy that will effectively drain toxins within the lymphatic system, preventing fluid retention, stimulating fat separation, and increasing the skin’s elasticity.

Give It to Me in Layman’s Terms
Think about it like this, cupping massage is similar to a deep tissue massage only in reverse. Instead of pushing down on the muscles, the therapist is pulling up. After the therapist warms up your muscles with a gentle massage oil, she will place the cups on your body. The cups will suck up a bit of your skin. Then she will drag the cups along your muscles which will help the detoxification process by pulling stagnant fluid out of your body. It will feel oh so good and relaxing. This movement will circulate your nutrient-rich blood throughout your body, increase elasticity, and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Holla!

The Many Bennies
Aside from decreasing cellulite, cupping massage will also help your your skin look firmer and healthier. It is also known to reduce the scarring from acne and stretch marks. The biggest benefit is that the increase in blood flow and circulation will help to keep you energized so not only will you look healthier, you will feel it, too.     

If you have questions about cupping massage or want to book your appointment today, contact us!

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5 Detox Methods to Boost Your Energy This Spring

Spring is a time of rebirth and reawakening. We notice birds building nests for their eggs to hatch, green stems begin to pop out of the ground, trees start to turn and become lusher. We hear the sound of lawn mowers in the distance and color sweeps back into our landscapes. It’s a refreshing time filled with hope. As you prepare to embrace this new season with open arms, be careful not to let lingering traces of winter steal your sunshine.

Try these five detox methods to boost your energy this spring and kick the effects of winter on your body and mind to the curb.

1. Smudging
Smudging is an ancient method, still used today, to get rid of the negative energy in a space. People take herbs, generally, sage, bundle it, then light it. Taking the smudge stick in your hand, you allow the smoke to greet the negative energy in the room and on the objects of the room cleansing and purifying the space. Smudging is also an excellent way to clear a room of mold, allergens, and pet dander that has gathered over time. You can smudge your home, office, car, or even yourself.

2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to boost the energy of a room. Simply by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils to a diffuser, you are able to change the dynamic of your space. Using citrus oils can be an uplifting way to embrace spring. Lime Essential Oil is associated with energy and named for the zest for life feeling. Tangerine Essential Oil is linked with joy and produces the feeling of cheerfulness. Lemon Essential Oil gives a sense of clarity and evokes focus.

3. Flushing Toxins
Our bodies naturally trap toxins. Physical touch, like massage, helps to release feel-good endorphins by promoting easier blood flow, which helps with lymphatic drainage. Know what else helps? Water. Drinking enough water each day will keep your body hydrated and healthy. A person who is dehydrated will feel fatigued and have low energy. By meeting the recommended daily intake of water, your body will experience a variety of health benefits and rid your body of toxins.

4. Exercise
During the winter months, some of us are a bit more sedentary than the other seasons of the year causing our energy to be stagnant. Now that the weather is nice, it is time to get outside and move that body to feel energized. Whether you are running down the city streets, walking around your neighborhood, playing catch with your kids, or preparing your flower beds for planting, your movement will awaken your spirit, body, and mind. Let the positive energy wash over you and soak it in.

5. Mediation
As the weather warms and you find yourself sitting outside among nature, take time to mindfully meditate on the positive things in your life. Focus on your surroundings. Rid your mind of any negative thoughts and clear a path for positive energy to take root.

For more ideas on how to boost your energy this spring, contact us.

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Do Lunar Cycles and Trees Influence Us?

Where I live, in the mid-Atlantic, the winter months can sometimes feel particularly long and tedious, specifically the month of February where we don’t often see much snow, but still experience the cold. Instead our days are a bit gray, the trees have yet to bloom, and the grass is more brown than green. Clients confess they grow weary of the weather so, together, we find essential oils for them to try and look for ways to incorporate those oils into their daily life as they wait for the brighter, cheerier days of spring.

Although March was a wild weather month for us this year, spring is finally here! We tend to think of spring as a new beginning. It’s an awakening for both Mother Nature and for us. Our moods shift, our spirit becomes lighter, and we feel a boost of internal energy.

Measuring time by the seasons is something that dates back thousands of years. Ancient cultures recorded the passage of time through artwork and carvings on rocks and cave walls. The Celts, who viewed time as circular not linear, used a lunar tree calendar to measure time and provide insight into not only the truth of nature’s constant change but also how it affects those of us who inhabit the earth.

The study of astrology looks at specific moments in time and emphasizes the impact that it has on relationships. The Celtic’s observations of nature’s life cycle through lunar phases and the tree calendar also work together to teach us about relationships. Learning your tree sign will broaden your self-discovery and your outlook on relationships.

Right now we are in the Adler moon phase (March 18-April 14). This is a good time to make spiritual decisions and tap into your intuition. Be mindful of your surroundings. Take particular note of how the life of plants and trees are changing. On April 15 we will enter into the Willow moon phase (until May 12). This is a time most associated with healing and growth. During this month, allow yourself to awaken along with nature. Focus on the areas of your life that have been dormant and breathe new life into them just as Mother Nature is breathing new life to the trees and plants around us.

To go deeper into your self-awareness, create a diary that records the Celt’s monthly sacred tree, lunar phases, your observations of what is going on in nature around you, and your personal moods and feelings. Over time you will be able to see patterns in your mood and behavior as it relates to lunar positions. Once you are aware of specific patterns, you will be able to mindfully incorporate specific essential oils into your life to enhance the feelings you experience or to combat negative energy, creating a balanced harmony of mind, body, and spirit within yourself.

For help with finding the right essential oils for you during different lunar phases, contact us.

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What is The Most Misunderstood Love Language?

Often the most misunderstood love language in Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages is receiving gifts. Make no mistake, friends, those who prefer receiving gifts as a way to experience love should not be confused with people who are materialistic. Quite the opposite, actually. Let’s explore, together, why.

Unlike materialistic people, those who prefer to receive gifts as an expression of love are less interested in the gift itself, than they are the thought behind the gift. It doesn’t matter if the gift is wildly expensive or doesn’t cost a penny, what matters is that it was given to the person with them specifically in mind. They are just as concerned with the WHY of your gift as the actual gift. It shows that you are paying attention to their needs and desires. You could say, “I love you” all day long, but it won’t mean as much as when you give them a physical reminder that they are your number one.  

The gifts you give to your S.O. will be most appreciated if they show that you are listening to your partner. For example, if your special someone tells you they dropped and shattered their favorite coffee mug getting out of the car in the office parking lot, surprise them with new one when they arrive home from work. If your partner has a recurring injury or is in desperate need of relaxation, schedule a massage for them. Amaze them with the benefits of cupping massage! A gift certificate for one of these massages is sure to score you big points!

People who prefer receiving gifts want a tangible reminder that they are on your mind. They feel loved and cherished when you give them a physical symbol of your love and devotion.  

Things to remember for people who prefer receiving gifts as their love language:

1. Gifts do not need to be a financial investment; instead, they are an emotional one.
2. Thoughtful gifts should be tailored to your S.O.’s personality to show how well you know them and want them to be happy.

For more suggestions on how to shower your S.O. with gifts of love, contact us. Don’t forget, our wellness store has lots of goodies they will appreciate too!