By Kim Taylor, Owner of Essence
Welcome Colorado winter! Ski and riding season are in full
swing, and we have had some pretty impressive early season ski conditions.
While there are a lot of different types of ski and snow boarders out there,
one thing we all have in common are tight, sore muscles after a great day on
the slopes. More than a few people (myself included) have mentioned that they
are a bit stiff or sore from another awesome weekend on the slopes. Perhaps the stiffness was from the long drive
home on I-70? Regardless of the reason, recovering from sore muscles is a buzz
kill; thankfully, steps can be taken to alleviate discomfort and feel your best
fast.
First things first, stretch before you hit it hard. It sounds
silly, stretching on the slopes, but if you warm your legs up with one easy
cruiser and then take 3-5 minutes to stretch your legs you will release most of
the built-up tension from sitting in the car which will help you to ski better
all day and be less sore after last
chair. Alas, there is still the dreaded drive home….
Once you are safely home, relax. Take a hot shower, sit in
the hot tub, have a glass of wine- whatever takes the edge off for you. Now
that you are in your happy place, let’s talk about massage. Post ski or
boarding massage is a great way to loosen up the lactic acid that builds up in
your muscles while you are out abusing your body in the name of fun.
There are many
different types of massage to choose from, and it is not always easy to know
which type you need. As a general rule,
if you are getting a massage after snow sports or any other strenuous activity,
you will benefit most from deep tissue, sports, or integrated massage. A well-trained massage therapist will
communicate with you before, during (if necessary), and after your massage to
make sure that you are receiving the best type of massage for your needs.
At Essence, we offer several massage modalities, all of
which fall into one of two categories: Signature and Specialty.
SIGNATURE massage focuses
on relaxation of the body and mind. Sometimes you really do just want to be
pampered, and while all of our modalities are designed to have calming effects,
signature massage is less physically intense. Signature pricing:
$45/ 30 min, $77/ 60 min, $105/ 90 min
Back, Neck and Shoulder massage is aptly named for its focus on
the back, neck, and shoulders. While it can be very effective for pain relief,
it falls into our signature category due to its abbreviated 30-minute treatment
time.
Swedish massage consists of long slow strokes. The pressure is light and while very relaxing
and calming to the mind and body, this type of massage is generally not considered
to be a very effective massage for physical pain relief. Swedish massage is
offered as a 60- or 90- minute treatment.
SPECIALTY
massage refers to all modalities that involve specific technique, pressure, and
focus.
Specialty pricing: $88/ 60 min,
$116+/ 90 min
Deep Tissue is the technique of penetrating the tissues as
deeply as they will allow. Although this
requires a firm touch it should never go past that “hurts so good” feeling.
This type of massage is quite effective for physical pain relief and is offered
as a 60- or 90- minute treatment.
Sports massage involves active stretching of the muscles along
with lengthening and flushing muscle groups.
Whether you are training for the Ironman or are a weekend warrior this
type of massage can help to prevent injury and is a great addition to your
training regimen. Sports massage is offered as a 60- or
90- minute treatment.
Lymphatic Drainage massage increases lymph flow which boosts
immune function. This type of massage is very helpful to breast cancer
survivors as well as those suffering from water retention issues such as
swollen ankles or bloating. Lymphatic
drainage helps the body rid itself of extra fluids. This modality requires
specific advanced training and is offered exclusively by Gigi Worley. Lymphatic
massage is offered as a 60- minute treatment.
Craniosacral massage uses agentle touch to address the head,
spinal column, and pelvic bones to improve functioning of the central nervous
system. The goal is to
release compression in those areas which alleviates stress and pain. This modality
requires specific advanced training and is offered exclusively by Kevin
Padgett. Craniosacral massage is offered as 90- minute treatment.
Integrated massage is the most requested, most needed, and most
effective type of massage you can get. After assessing your muscles and talking
with you about what you are trying to accomplish through massage, your
therapist will combine any or all specialty techniques to customize a personal
massage to meet your needs. Integrated
massage is offered as a 60- or 90- minute treatment.
There’s almost never a bad time to get a massage, however, the
best time to book a massage after hitting the slopes is one to two days after
you ski or board. Although this article is geared toward folks with post ski
aches and pains, you don’t have to be a snow sport fanatic to reap the benefits
of massage.
To sweeten the pot, we have designed packages meant to
encourage regular self-care and save you money.
Signature
four pack- $277
Choose any combination of four signature massages and/or
facials.
Specialty
Spa Four Pack- $317
Choose any combination of four specialty massages and/or
facials.
Classic
Massage Package-
Purchase a package of six massages and get the seventh free
of charge.
The healing hands at Essence
belong to Gigi Worley and Kevin Padgett. You cannot go wrong with these two. Both
are experienced, professional, and fully committed to providing the best
treatment experience possible.
Gigi Worley has
practiced massage for over ten years, doing well over 8,000 massages. Prior to
working at Essence, she has worked in many arenas of massage including holistic
health, chiropractic and private practice. This experience allows her to craft
a personal massage that fits your special needs. Whether it is pain relief,
relaxation, sports massage, or immune boosting through lymphatic drainage she
will create a pleasant and healthful experience for you.
Kevin
Padgett began practicing massage therapy in 2012. He appreciates that no
two people are the same and customizes every massage to meet the specific needs
of each client. He is passionate about his work and driven by a deep desire to
help others feel better. He offers a fresh approach to healing through massage
by continually learning and integrating new modalities and techniques into his
treatments.
Soon enough the temperature will rise, the snow will melt
and we will be on to different activities. Go out and play hard, enjoy every
minute; and when you are done, remember that we are here to help you relax and
recover.