Soothe Your Body and Soul With a Therapeutic Massage

Stiff shoulders? Aching back? In a time of high gas prices, a shaky economy, and political rancor, it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling a bit stressed lately. Add the usual aches and pains that come along with age, arthritis, sports injuries and the strain of hunching over a computer all day, and the result is a body crying out for a therapeutic massage.

A therapeutic massage is a great way to pamper your body and spirit and you don’t even have to drive to Milwaukee or Chicago to enjoy one. Several businesses in the Racine area offer therapeutic massages provided by licensed massage therapists.

Massage feels good, of course, but it also does a body good. According to research studies posted on the website of the National Institute of Health’s Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, massages can improve the immune system, reduce blood pressure and ease neck pain.

“It enhances the immune system by stimulating blood flow and moving lymphocytes,” said Dorothy Sack, a licensed massage therapist who has been practicing in Racine for 20 years.

“It is relaxing to those who are stressed and some people report they are able to sleep better,” said Janet Shaw, a licensed massage therapist in Racine who has been practicing for nine years.  Among its many benefits, she said, “It improves the pliability of fascia, increases circulation, clears the system of toxins and increases endorphins.”

There are several types of massages, among them Swedish, deep tissues, myofascial and hot stone. In a Swedish massages, the most common type, the therapist applies a series of kneading, circular and sweeping strokes. In a deep tissue massage, the therapist applies a firmer pressure to treat stubborn muscle tension. In a myofascial massage, the therapist concentrates on massaging connective ligaments. In a hot stone massage, the therapist places heated stones on the client’s body to warm and soothe the muscles.

Although hot stone massages are a bit more expensive than standard massages, clients love them.

“It will warm you for about three days,” said Sack. “My clients have told me ‘my legs feel like rubber.’”

People get massages for various reasons, noted Sack. They may have arthritis or sports injuries or tension from sitting at a desk for hours a day. However, a therapeutic massage can benefit everyone, not just those with specific aches and pains, the therapists stressed. 

“It’s an investment in your health,” said Sack. 

A monthly massage is optimal for keeping muscles and connective tissue supple, said Shaw, although persons may need one more often. 

Prices for therapeutic massages vary, but a one-hour Swedish massage in Racine generally runs $55 to $75. A hot stone massage costs about $15 more. Many therapeutic massage businesses sell gift certificates or discounted multiple session packages.

Although most insurers do not cover massages, clients can use money in pre-tax health spending accounts to pay for therapeutic massages. In addition, an insurer may cover massage therapy for a person who gets a prescription for therapeutic massage from his or her physician.

It’s important to find a licensed massage therapist. Although anyone can give massages, only someone who has completed a massage therapy course and passed a licensing examination can call himself or herself a massage therapist. A licensed massage therapist will have the initials “LMT” or “CMT” or a license number on his or her business card and advertisements. It’s also helpful to ask the therapist if he or she is experienced in doing the type of massage requested, such as deep tissue, myofascial or pre-natal.

A good way to pick a massage therapist is to ask other people for recommendations and choose a business with an ambience you like. Some massage therapists work in a home studio; others in a medical office; still others work in hair styling salons or spas. Some therapists may use scented candles, quiet music or aromatherapy to create a peaceful atmosphere.

In addition, local coffee shops and sports- and health-related businesses often have business cards on display for therapeutic massage services. The American Massage Therapy Association has a geographic directory of licenses massage therapists on its website, www.amtamassage.com.

Here are some businesses that offer therapeutic massage therapy in the greater Racine area.

Autumn Leaf
4060 North Main Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53402
 262-639-1507
www.autumnleafsalon.com
1-hour. massage, $60; hot stone massage, $75

Caledonia Pain Relief Center
5401 Douglas Avenue, Suite C
Racine, Wisconsin 53402
262-681-8828
www.caledoniaclinic.com
1-hour massage, $55 

The Cutting Edge
7408 Washington Avenue
Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin 53406
262-886-9475
www.thecuttingedgeracine.com
1-hour massage, $65; 1-hr. myofascial, sports or trigger point massage, $75; hot stone massage, $80

Healing Hands South and Associates
6216 Washington Ave., Ste. 2D
Mount Pleasant, WI 53406
262.886.5859
1-hour massage, $60

Rejuvenations Massage and Spa
215 Sixth Street
Racine, WI 5340
262-637-7151
www.rejuvenationsmassageandspa.com
1-hour massage, $70; hot stone massage, $85 

Janet Shaw
262-930-0799
jandelune@yahoo.com
1-hour massage $60

Therapeutic Massage by Dorothy Sack
6011 Durand Ave., Ste. 400
Mount Pleasant, WI  53406
www.dorothymassagetherapy.com
1-hour massage, $65; hot stone massage, $100