After making the rounds—doctor’s visits, therapy, school, playgroups—all you can think about is collapsing on the couch. Licensed massage therapist and mom Michelle Fritts understands the temptation to ignore the aches in your body and the stresses on your mind, but she reminds us that as little as one hour each month can revive a busy mom—allowing us to stay focused on caring for others.
Don’t know what kind of massage to ask for? A Swedish sounds delightful, while Deep Tissue sounds … well, invasive. Here’s the rub about Fritts’ three most-requested massages so you can schedule a just-right rubdown for you.
Swedish: Most requested massage; provides general relaxation for someone who just needs a little quiet time; takes about an hour.
Choose this if: It’s Mommy’s Day Out! There may not be a particular problem area, but it’s your day off—you deserve a little de-stressing.
Deep Tissue: Best for getting rid of painful knots (maybe in your neck and shoulders where women carry stress); takes about an hour.
Choose this if: You’ve been toting a toddler in your arms and chasing after the older kids, and you want the firmest pressure possible on those pesky knots. Not recommended for pregnant women.
Pro-heat: Uses heat to stimulate trigger points between muscles; takes about an hour.
Choose this if: You’re fresh off a tough workout and your body is just a little achy. Pro-heat is especially good for that upper/lower back pain that comes with a full set of crunches! Not recommended for pregnant women.
