The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Take a deep breath in … now a big exhale out.

Getting a massage is no longer an exclusive experience available only at luxurious spas and metro health clubs. Haxtun Health now offers accessible and cost-friendly massage therapy services for patients 12 years of age and older. Localizing massage therapy in Haxtun ensures community members do not need to travel far from home to receive this type of professional care.

Massage therapy proves to have many health benefits. It’s another “tool” in a patient’s healthcare “toolbox” to ensure they have a well-rounded, proactive approach in their overall health and wellness strategy.

Wendy Evans, Physical Therapist at Haxtun Health, will provide these services to local patients. She has a master's degree in physical therapy from the University of Miami in Florida as well as a master's degree in exercise physiology. Evans has trained extensively in manual therapy and massage, including Rolfing structural integration, lymph draining, neuromuscular therapy, muscle activation techniques and traditional Swedish and deep tissue.

“With more than 25 years of experience and training in many different types of massage therapy, I am equipped to accommodate any and all needs of each patient,” Evans said. “Massage therapy is a great way to manage stress, improve circulation and skin tone and even help alleviate chronic pain.”

Types of services offered locally

Massage sessions at Haxtun Health are customized to the medical and therapeutic needs of the patient. Hot and cold packs are used as needed. Massage times vary from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on massage type, length and any additional add-on services, which include therapeutic ultrasound and electrical stimulation.

New patients must fill out a Health Screening Questionnaire and complete a Massage Needs Evaluation before their first massage so that Evans can focus on the areas of the body that need more attention. The forms also help Evans evaluate an effective treatment plan for the patient to ensure the best outcomes.

There are various types of massage depending on the patient’s needs. For example, a Swedish massage is the type of massage that people are most familiar with. It is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping. The goal is to help the patient feel relaxed and energized.

A deep tissue massage is a technique that uses slower, more forceful strokes to target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. It is commonly used to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Like a Swedish massage, a sports massage is geared toward individuals who participate in sporting activities to help prevent or treat injuries. Trigger point massages focus on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in a patient’s muscles after injuries or overuse.

Other techniques include low-intensity ultrasound, which mitigates inflammation and facilitates tissue repair; deep heating, which helps increase blood circulation to specific tissues in the body; and cavitation, which contracts and expands microscopic gas bubbles around injured tissues, theoretically speeding up the patient’s healing process.

Massage options available

at Haxtun Health include:

• Therapeutic massage — Manipulation of the body's soft tissue to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation. A general session may include a combination of Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point work and gentle stretching.

• Pregnancy (prenatal) massage — Therapy specifically tailored for expectant mothers’ needs. This procedure is done primarily with the patient lying on their side, using pillows and props for comfort and alignment. It is most important during the second and third trimester, when lying on the back can impair the mother’s circulation.

• Medical massage — Intended for improving prescribed medical conditions or pathologies. It combines massage and physical therapy techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, muscle activation, trigger point and stretching.

• Massage and exfoliating body scrub — This decadent service uses hot moist towels, sea salt or organic sugar scrub to exfoliate the patient’s skin while soothing and relaxing their muscles. The exfoliating treatment is combined with Swedish or deep tissue massage techniques.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

When most people think of massage, they often think of relaxation and stress management benefits — which is true. Pain alleviation and relief for muscle soreness and tension may also come to mind, which is another great benefit of massage therapy.

According to Evans, other massage benefits include: improved circulation, energy and alertness; stimulation of the lymphatic system; reduction of stress hormones; increased joint mobility and flexibility; improved skin tone; and lowering heart rate and blood pressure.

“I had developed neck pain that was severely uncomfortable and was affecting my day-to-day activities," states Michal B., one of Evans' new massage therapy patients. "Thankfully, when I called Wendy to set up an appointment, she was able to fit me into her schedule that same day. Wendy took the time to meet with me and she tailored my massage to specifically meet my needs. I felt so relieved after my appointment! I will definitely be coming back for maintenance visits instead of urgent care.”

Schedule an appointment

Appointments are available at Haxtun Health from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be scheduled for after regular business hours. Patients should call for availability. There is a private massage room in the Physical Therapy building located next door to the hospital.

To schedule an appointment call (970) 774-6123.