Ali Sills, LMT
Welcome!
This web page was designed to help friends, current clients and prospective referrals to understand and share information regarding therapeutic massage and treatments specific to this practice. I am not offering services to the general public at this time.
Education and Experience
Swedish Massage and Clinical Neuromuscular and Structural Bodywork were focused upon at Southeastern School for Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy in Columbia where I graduated first in class before becoming nationally certified (#531953-07) with NCTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). After nearly 4 years of contracted spa work, I am very pleased to begin an at-home practice for family, friends and female referrals! As a state licensed (SC #5268) and professional bodywork and massage therapist, I will integrate techniques from several modalities in order to meet the specific needs of each client. Most techniques are derived from Swedish Massage, Clinical Neuromuscular and Structural Body Work, Acupressure and Hydrotherapy. I also enjoy utilizing aromatherapy/aromacology with essential oils. (Please remember that essential oils should never be ingested.) I continue my education in massage and bodywork therapies with 12 hours and more of continuing education credits each year.
FYI: Massage therapists are licensed in over 25 states. Most require 500 or more hours of education and a licensing examination. To read about credentials and other consumer-wise information, please visit amta.org for the latest information and legislature.
Products
Treatments are conducted with use of a specially formulated, non-greasy massage lotion or oil. Please advise of allergies to nuts or essential oils. You may further personalize your therapeutic or relaxation massage experience with Aromatherapy of Essential Oils for an additional cost. The use of mineral oil and perfume is avoided, still Essential Oils may be added to a healthy carrier oil such as grapeseed, macadamia, apricot nut, sesame seed or sunflower seed oil. Powder may be available at no additional fee for those who do not wish for lotion or oil. Oshibori is available for freshening up after your session. A cup of cool water or hot tea is prepared and readied for your "moment" before re-entering the real world.
Treatment Hours
Tuesday through Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm by appointment only.
Friends and family please visit YouCanBook.Me to schedule an appointment online! You will receive a personal email from me shortly after your online scheduling.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance (call, text or email is fine) to avoid an inconvenience with scheduling. "No shows" may be charged the 50% value of the service/time scheduled and gift certificates may become void.
Discount Rates
Gifts
Gift certificates make an ideal gift for any occasion. Certificates and prepaid purchases may expire 1 year after the purchase date. Products such as music, oils and warmers may be ordered upon request.
Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
Relieves symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression
Lowers your blood pressure and your heart rate
Improves your circulation
Helps injured tissue to heal, such as pulled muscles or sprained ligaments
Relieves repetitive motion injuries
Relieves pain and stiffness from arthritis
Decreases stiffness in muscles and joints from overuse, such as work-outs, yard
work, and team sports
Relieves pain, including headache
Increases your sense of energy and well-being
Helps you to relax
Improves your posture and help you stay aware when your posture is causing pain
Increases your flexibility
Helps with the discomforts of pregnancy (2nd and 3rd trimester only)
What to Expect
An intake form / client profile will be completed or updated at the beginning of each appointment. All treatments are kept on file and confidential. Friends are welcome to use PayPal for their convenience or pay by check or cash. A barter may be arranged as well!
The client will express the purpose for the day's treatment and specify any requests such as "back and neck only" or "no face or scalp".
Therapeutic massage treatments are given in a professional atmosphere, with soothing background music or therapeutic sounds. Please be sure to turn your mobile phone to silent or vibrate and remove any jewelry prior to treatment. Candles are used unless otherwise requested by client. The therapist leaves the room in order for the client to prepare for treatment.
The client usually begins lying face-down beneath fresh and comfortable linens/draping on a special massage table. A powder room visit is suggested prior to treatment. It is not in the client's best interest to receive treatment with a full bladder or after a large meal.
Although treatment is given in a quiet setting, it is best to keep good communication. Please communicate any need or discomfort immediately at anytime during treatment.
Although a client is generally unclothed or undressed to bikini/briefs during treatment, your body will always be draped with towels or sheets for warmth and modesty.
Your massage therapist will knock and ask prior to entering, before making sure the table is as comfortable as possible, as I will. Some pressure may be used in an initial assessment over drapings. Steaming hot towels will be used to help "sol" muscle fascia and expedite tension ease. Oil will be applied while further warming tissue before any deeper work and therapies are continued.
Trigger Point therapy addresses the "knots" of painful and poorly circulated muscle tissue that refer pain to another area of the same or a nearby muscle. Heat or cold therapy may be required to assist in this tissue treatment. It is still rather relaxing especially after the therapist and client work together in order to trick tense muscle into relaxing.
Some discomfort may occur during deep tissue treatment. Treatment should not be painful and pressure will only be extended to the client's unique "edge" or less depending on state of tissue. Ex. deep pressure may damage muscles that have recently been exercised and light treatment and vibration help to circulate damaged tissue. Deep treatment helps to cause effective healing of scarred tissue.
FYI: Many times muscle groups are effected by their antagonists or "opposite muscles", therefore it is important to treat those muscle groups as well. For example, an achy, lengthened and well stretched back will benefit with treatment to the front of the neck and the chest where muscles have become tightened.
Some bouncing, shaking and range of motion may also be helpful during your personalized bodywork.
Please feel free to ask questions about muscle function and beneficial treatments; express your likes and dislikes regarding your treatment session. Your confidential session treatment records are available for sharing with your physician or chiropractor by request.
Contact
Email me at alisillslmt@gmail.com with questions or comments!
- THANK YOU!
