This might be a surprise to you or maybe not, but all massage therapists are not created equal, not all massages are the same, any more than all bodies are the same. I bring this up because it occurred to me that the major reason people may not like to try another therapist is loyalty to their therapist or fear of the unknown. After all we like the massage we’re getting, so why change therapists? Well, let me explain.
When you first schedule your appointment the front desk staff asks questions to not only get you the best time for your schedule, but also to try to match you to the best massage for your goals and the best personality fit between you and the therapist you will be working with. Usually our staff nails it, but, sometimes, this doesn’t work out so well which isn’t a surprise, we’re trying to make all these decisions within a five minute phone call.
Did you know if you don’t mesh with the massage type, the style of massage used by your therapist you can (and should) ask for different things for your next massage? Or if you and your therapist don’t jibe personally (hey, it happens, no harm, no foul) that we don’t think twice about scheduling anyone with another therapist who may suit you better, we’re cool like that. We know that everyone isn’t meant to get along and so we have other therapists for you to try, until you find the right fit for you.
Massage Type: There’s a vast pool of massage types that we in the business call “modalities”. In the bodywork world we know that there are different massages that work best on different pathologies (issues) in the body, based on your needs and your goals, we book a massage based on what you say you’re looking for. On the day of your appointment we do further intake to ensure that we’re doing the best massage for what you’re looking for by discussing what your goals are and come up with a plan together.
Massage Style: Massage style refers to the way the massage therapist applies their massage techniques. Each therapist does more than one massage modality, but their massage style is what brings it all together in a treatment that is customized for you each time you visit. You may have a deep tissue massage from one therapist and a deep tissue massage from another therapist and they are completely different. It’s like Frank Sinatra and Sid Vicious both recorded “My Way” but they are vastly different (and you’re bound to prefer one to the other)!
Choosing your massage based on type, style, and personality fit may take a few times, but when you get that right combination, you will know it and it’s worth the pursuit. We look forward to helping you find your right fit for the results you’re looking to achieve.
I don’t know how many of you know what goes into hiring of a That’s the Rub massage therapist. It occurred to me that in case you were sitting on the fence about how to choose your massage therapist above and beyond our biographies that it might give you great confidence to know that I have pre-selected for you. What does this mean? This means that I have taken my years of expertise in hiring and training well over 300 massage therapists for many of the top resort spas in the country, and working with many of the best therapists in the field, to good use.
We don’t hire just anyone at The Rub. Each potential new hire goes through two interviews: first with Jim, other staff members, and even the occasional client who happen to be coming by (we hold these in the Relax Lounge, so if you ever see and interview going on, PLEASE feel free to join in), then with me. At which point they come back again for a technical (or practicum interview) to show me their skills and how they might fit into The Rub culture. No matter who they are or how much experience they have, if they don’t fit what we do to some benefit of themselves and The Rub, I don’t hire them. That means they will also provide the most benefit to YOU, the client. We have many different therapists that cover a spectacular range of specialties and what people need, because people’s needs are different. We customize the massage for you and what your body needs at the time. We don’t do cookie cutter massage, you deserve better than that. You deserve to have a therapist who will look at your body as being unique to only you and work with you towards your healthcare goals.
I once did a massage therapy practicum with an interview candidate which was the most unique version of massage I’ve ever had and nothing like I expected. When she first began I was wondering what she was doing (and I’ve been a therapist for 18 years). I tell you this because you need to know that all massages are NOT alike. For every person on the planet there is a different interpretation of how that massage therapist will treat your body. I always think about how we are going to market this massage, this therapist…but this one was so different, so strange. Adopting Steven Covey’s first seek to understand, I asked her what technique she was doing and she said “Trigger Point and Myofacial Release, done in a way that I’ve interpreted it.” Now I’ve NEVER had this interpretation before, but while I lay there trying to figure out how this would fit with The Rub paradigm I realized my back had released and no longer felt tense in areas that I had felt all day. As she was following the fascial lines I could feel little crackles of release and how they correlated to other areas of my body (it’s all connected) in twitches and sighs of letting go. She ended the massage with a little cranial sacral and I felt relaxed yet energized at the same time. After she left I had an epiphany of how she fit into The Rub, we are always about unique massage techniques that give way to results. More than relaxed, I slept deeper than I had in over week and I woke up ready to seize the day and another opportunity to bring something special to someone else. That’s what massage is, something special — not everyone can do it and it brings something to everyone who experiences it. Of course, I hired her immediately.
Every person’s massage is different based on the needs of the individual’s body, as well as the techniques and the skills of the individual therapist, but our message remains the same: The Rub continues to bring the best bodywork to Bloomington, one body at a time. Welcome to The Rub!
I’ve been working on the ongoing practice of mindfulness for years now, since I started as a Spa Director in 2004. Mindfulness is something to be honed daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. until it becomes a part of who you are. Being mindful is about presence in the moment and being thoughtful every day about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. How to get the results you’re really going after and achieving them through mindful planning and execution. This is not to say that sometimes your brain gets in front of you for how quickly you put your thoughts into action, it just means that you think about what you’re doing and how it effects the desired outcome and those around you.
MINDFULNESS (def.) – a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Using mindfulness for the greater good, a few years ago my gut was telling me it’s not happy. Mostly through constant bloating, inflammation and constipation, you know, things that I thought were just normal parts of everyday living, until I started having a pain in my liver area that wouldn’t go away. Not being one to run to the doctor over trivial matters, I ran to the doctor…are you kidding me, this pain in my liver that wouldn’t go away. Pain is a sign in the body that something is wrong and it wants you to pay attention to it. I had been ignoring the other symptoms: constant bloating, inflammation and constipation, so my body gave me something I couldn’t ignore. Well, things checked out well for my liver, and now I was out $900. But I had a true wake up call, that what I was eating wasn’t working for me and I needed to be more mindful about what I was eating and how my body was reacting to it.
Of course being human I would slip, you know how it goes…I’m feeling better, maybe it was just a bug (it’s not just a bug), maybe I’m not as sensitive as I thought I was about what my body can tolerate (yes, I am), but being human, I eat that thing that made me feel not so good and the feeling instantly comes back, no matter the “little” quantity that I eat of it. It’s our way as humans to try to get away with having that thing we THINK we want. It’s habit. It’s comforting. It’s a food I love. However, the more I dove into the mindfulness part of eating, I was beginning to realize that everything that I loved to eat, hated me, because I would react to it. Thus, what I’ve become is a health nut, a food snob or a picky eater, take your pick. I can no longer eat the foods that I grew up eating, thinking that they weren’t effecting my health and making me feel less than. As my nutrition blueprint improved so did my mindfulness in what I was eating, as well as my mindfulness in everything else I do. It helped lay the foundation for me to see other areas of my life in which mindfulness could be applied to achieve the result that I was looking for. After all, that’s what I want…results.
Being mindful has taught me a lot about my personal nutrition, which has lead me to better exercise outcomes, better treatment outcomes for myself and my clients, better outcomes in the classroom…mindfulness has allowed me to see what works and change it immediately if it isn’t. Mindfulness allows awareness in everything else you do.
See how you can apply mindfulness to your daily life to achieve goals that you have set for yourself. Before you know, you too could be getting the results that you’re looking for.
That’s the Rub,
Lisa
P.S. This is an interactive blog. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas you’d like to discuss or are interested in, please comment below.
After years of requests, and no small amount of bribery, Lisa has finally decided to “start writing it all down.”
The Rub Blog with Lisa is where Lisa Keplinger, LMT, Hospitality Consultant, Spa Developer, Massage Therapy Instructor, and President of That’s the Rub, LLC shares her decades of experience, wit, and wisdom, as well as her personal insight on new products and services at The Rub.
Occasionally, there may even be a guest writer or two (Jim’s been known to wax poetic a bit, after all). Come back regularly for new insights on massage therapy, facials, waxing, acupuncture, and other wellness modalities either offered at That’s the Rub locations or that are currently getting our attention. Heck’s the occasional book recommendation or podcast tip alone will make this one of your favorite spots online for finding out more about how to take care of the most important person in your life: YOU!
Hey there, Bloomington! What are YOU doing for pain management? Are you ignoring your pain? I’ve been there, done that. But let me tell you, ignoring your pain is like muting your body’s distress call. It’s time to listen up, folks! So, what’s your goal? Are you ready to take the driver’s seat in your wellness journey?
Why Ignoring Pain is a No-Go
Pain is your body’s way of waving a red flag. It’s screaming, “Hey, something’s not right here!” When you ignore it, you’re essentially silencing your body’s alarm system. The more you ignore it, the LOUDER it yells. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s not just about the physical toll; it’s also about the emotional and psychological impact of living with untreated pain.
The Science Behind Pain
Pain is more than just an unpleasant sensation; it’s a complex interaction between your nerves, brain, and spinal cord. When you experience pain, it’s your nervous system sending a signal to your brain, saying, “Pay attention! Something’s wrong!” Understanding the science of pain can empower you to take control of your well-being.
The Bloomington Approach to Pain Management
Here in Bloomington, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness. Whether it’s through therapeutic massage, proper nutrition, or regular exercise, we’re all about treating the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Local Resources
Bloomington offers a plethora of resources for pain management, from specialized clinics to community wellness programs. Utilizing local resources can make your journey to pain-free living more accessible and community-oriented.
Testimonials
“I used to suffer from chronic back pain until I discovered That’s the Rub. Their approach to pain management has been a game-changer for me.” —J.D., Bloomington Resident
Exercise: The Unsung Hero
You don’t have to be a gym rat to benefit from exercise. Even simple activities like walking or stretching can make a world of difference. Exercise keeps your body’s pulleys and levers—aka muscles and joints—in tip-top shape. It also releases endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers, providing a double whammy against pain.
Types of Exercise for Pain Management
Aerobic Exercise: Activities like swimming or cycling can improve your cardiovascular health and endurance, making you more resilient against pain.
Strength Training: Building muscle can provide better support for your joints, reducing the risk of injury and pain.
Flexibility Exercises: Stretching and yoga can improve your range of motion and alleviate muscle tension, both of which are crucial for pain management.
Nutrition and Hydration: The Building Blocks
What you put into your body has a direct impact on how you feel. A balanced diet and proper hydration can work wonders in alleviating pain and discomfort. Foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, like turmeric and ginger, can be particularly beneficial.
The Role of Hydration
Dehydration can exacerbate pain by causing muscle cramps and joint stiffness. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, especially if you’re active or spending time in the sun.
The Power of Therapeutic Massage
Sometimes, you need a little extra help, and that’s where we come in. Therapeutic massage can be a powerful tool in your pain management arsenal. It not only relieves tension but also improves blood flow, aiding in the healing process.
Types of Therapeutic Massage for Pain Management
Therapeutic Massage: This is your go-to for general pain relief and relaxation. It combines various techniques like kneading, tapping, and long strokes to address a range of issues, making it a versatile option for many. Whether you’re dealing with stress, muscle tension, or minor aches, therapeutic massage is your all-rounder.
Advanced Therapeutic Massage: Ready to level up? This takes it up a notch by targeting specific problem areas with advanced techniques like deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy. It’s ideal for those dealing with chronic pain or specific conditions like sciatica or frozen shoulder.
Swedish Massage: Ah, the Swedish massage, the comfort food of the massage world! Known for its long, flowing strokes and gentle kneading, this type of massage is perfect for those new to the massage experience or those looking for overall relaxation and stress relief. It’s like a warm hug for your muscles!
Facilitated Stretching: Think of this as yoga, but you don’t have to do quite as much of the work! Facilitated stretching involves a therapist helping you stretch your muscles to improve flexibility and range of motion. It’s fantastic for athletes or anyone looking to improve their physical performance.
Take Control of Your Pain Today
You have the power to manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Don’t let pain hold you back from living your best life, especially when you have resources right here in Bloomington to help you.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Ready to take control of your pain, Bloomington? Schedule your appointment today or give us a call at 812-333-3393 and we’ll help you choose the right service and practitioner for what you need. Your body will thank you!
