The Relaxation Center

To better serve our clients, The Relaxation Center now provides two types of services to meet client massage therapy needs.

Muscle Pain Relief Therapy

This is a results oriented deep tissue approach to solving muscle pain.  We use the necessary modalities with specific focus on troubled area to release the fascia to open joints and increase mobility. To learn more about The Relaxation Center muscle pain relief therapy services go here.

Spa Massage

Spa massage is a customized massage in a very tranquil environment, applying lighter to medium pressure, focusing on stress reduction and relaxation.  A "spa massage" can include use of hydro-heat packs, aromatherapy, foot reflexology, and body support system for all clients including pregnancy massage.  To learn more about the types of spa massage services offered at The Relaxation Center go here.

Today's video tip of the day is dealing with fascia. What is fascia and how to manage it? Learn about what fascia is and how to manage it in this brief video by Susan Fleming - Chronic Muscle Pain Relief Expert.

For more information on this topic, call or text Susan Fleming at 650-591-2303.  Or email [email protected]

Chronic muscle pain is a daily fact of life for many of us. But relief can be just a minute or two away with the right adjustments. Watch this video to learn more.

To learn more about Susan and how she can help you with chronic muscle pain relief, call or text 650-591-2303.  Or email [email protected]

New clients often ask, "How often should I get a massage?" The answer is "it depends"...

The biological effects of a deep tissue massage last 2-3 weeks in general. Some people may benefit more from getting a massage more often because of their lifestyle. As an example, a person may have a job at a computer and have very tight forearms and hands and need more massage than a person who does a more varied career. Someone who gives emotionally to say a large family and can benefit from a hour vacation away from it all, might need to set up more sessions than someone in a calm environment.

Every situation is different. It all starts with the client getting the first massage and then seeing how they feel after two weeks and trying another massage close to that time. If they feel they can extend the time to three weeks or a month and it works for them, that is a good distance between sessions. Other people may find they have to come in every week to balance their life. It also depends on a person's financial lifestyle too. There is a fine line to what works for each of us. I know certain celebrities get a massage once a day, and how nice can it be? With my job, I make an exerted effort to get a massage at least every two weeks. It reminds me of why I do massage for a job. It feels great and I feel like a better person afterwards.   

Do yourself a favor and set up a massage time and look forward to it. It will keep you going. Just call 650-591-2303 and ask for Susan or email at [email protected]

PS: To extend the benefit of your message, do youself a favor and buy a few boxes of Epsom Salts. If you don't know why, just ask Susan about what to do with the Epsom Salts and why if you don't already know.

The Relaxation Center in Belmont wants to remind you that regular stretching enhances your massage sessions. Why? Stretching in between massage sessions will make your massage better, because many of the tight places will be easier to work on.

What prompted us to revisit the topic of stretching is that my sister called me the other day. After years of my suggesting stretching, sending her pages of stretches and mentioning yoga etc. - she finally started to stretch and said the next posting on my website should be about stretching. She is feeling less tense and more relaxed. 

 At The Relaxation Center, specific stretches are taught to help with certain ailments. Overall stretching is a goal that takes time and effort. It pays off for good, quality of life. A suggestion is to take yoga, Pilates and read Bob Anderson's book first.

There are some great suggestions on how to stretch in  the book, "Stretching: 30th Anniversary Edition by Bob Anderson and Jean Anderson." Here are some of their suggestions:

1. Learning how to stretch is the most important part of stretching.

2.  Listening to your body and knowing that you can stretch more tomorrow.

3. It does not all have to happen in one day.

Massage can get to those spots that are virtually impossible to get to on your own. The combination of regular stretching the right way and the extra "boost" of massage will improve your overall flexibility and your life will be more pain free. 

Don't take years to start stretching, try it today.  Call Susan at 650-591-2303 to set up a massage time for yourself or if you have any questions about stretching. You can also email at [email protected]

Looking for the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula area? Then look no further.

 In business for more than ten years, The Relaxation Center - owned and operated by Susan Fleming - now offers gift certificates for massage therapy sessions.  A chronic muscle-pain relief expert, Susan Fleming offers a variety of massage therapy services - all customized to the clients needs. References available upon request.

Contact The Relaxaton Center today. 

In my massage practice I have found that my clients really like that I use aromatherapy. Why do I use aromatherapy? 

Aromatherapy has been utilized for many years. Before we had phamaceutical drugs, essential oils were used to help heal people if ingested. Even today in some countries, essential oils are prescribed by doctors to take internally. Many of our pharmaceutical drugs are have plant origins. The lavender plant has the properties of encouraging relaxation. The use of essential oils is a real science and not just being a nice aroma.

Different essential oils have different properties and results. I have researched over the years to find the highest quality essential oils. In general, I use the purest essential oils that relax and or refresh - rejuenvate the spirit.  In fact, I have evolved my own blend. The key ingredient for that blend is lavendar - a very popular oil known for helping people to relax. To learn more about this blend and aromatherapy in general, go to http://nccam.nih.gov/health/lavender/. 

If you have your own favorite aromatherapy scents and would like to share, I'd love to hear from you....

If you have ever experienced a therapeutic massage, you know how wonderfully "stress-free" your thinking can be as your body glows in the aftermath of being cleared of annoying knots and painful tightness. For those of you that haven’t had a professional massage, isn’t it about time?

Your spa massage will take place in a warm, comfortable and peaceful atmosphere with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. Through a customized and personal approach, we apply the appropriate set of techniques to meet the specific needs of each of our clients.

Our sessions vary in length depending on your individual needs and life situation. (FYI, we are pleased to offer nurturing massage for women during their pregnancy). A program will be developed to help you feel your best using a combination of the following massage and therapeutic techniques:

• Swedish Massage
  A muscle-specific application of the standard effleurage, petrissage, vibration and tapotement techniques. Swedish is the most common form of massage.
• Shiatsu Massage
  A system of finger pressure massage, based on Asian healing concepts, which treat special points along "meridians" or invisible channels of energy that flow naturally throughout the body. This technique helps to release blockages and rebalance the energy flow of the body.
• Sports Massage
  A maintenance massage program that enhances the body's recovery process, returning the athlete to a high level of training and competition, while reducing the risk of injury. This technique also helps to reduce the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occurs with vigorous exercise.   This technique is organized around a system of points on the feet that correspond to areas of the body. Though this massage is specific to an area, the effects are felt throughout the entire body.
• Aromatherapy
  A technique dating back centuries using the highest quality essential oils of flowers, plants and trees. This technique helps to calm, balance and rejuvenate the mind and body.
• Foot Reflexology

Email [email protected] or call (650) 591-2303 to learn more or to schedule your first appointment.