Valentine's Day Packages from Melrose Muscle Therapy

Valentine's Day Packages

The following packages are only available

between February 10th - February 23rd, 2013 and

must be booked by calling (708) 612-9228.

Chocolate Indulgence Massage

$40 for 30 minutes, $80 for 60 minutes

Make your chocolate cravings disappear with the Chocolate Indulgence Massage. Our luscious-smelling, tastebud-tempting cocoa infused massage oil will transform you to the most decadent place.

Includes a single rose, and a box of chocolates.

Private Couple's Massage Lesson

90 minutes, $100

Private and educational, you and your loved one will give and receive a 30 Minute Massage from each other, under Luisa's instruction.

Includes a single rose, a box of chocolates,

and a small bottle of massage oil to take home.

Hand Massage with Paraffin Dip

30 minutes, $25

Soothing massage of the forearm and hands with lotion, followed by a moisturizing paraffin dip.

Includes a single rose, and a box of chocolates.

1811 N. Broadway Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160 ~ www.MelroseMuscleTherapy.com

Keeping you warm in the winter months

We have a few things around the massage room that will help to keep you warm during these cold winter months that we have ahead of us.

fleece table warmer:  How nice is it when you get on the table, and it is warm?  Just inviting you to relax and enjoy your massage.


blanket:  We can always add on another if you like.  Remember, it is your time, it is your massage, if you are too cold, or too hot, just let your therapist know and we can add on another blanket or take one away.


heated oil:  This is a new addition to Melrose Muscle Therapy.  We now heat the oil that we use for massage.  Makes things just that much more cozier.  =)

hot bamboo massage:  You can always upgrade your massage to a hot bamboo massage.  Feel the warmth of the smooth rattan against your skin and you will feel as if you are melting into the table.  Very relaxing!

Coming soon: Paraffin hand dips....
We will add this service come January 2013.  Join our email list, and become a fan of our facebook page to be the first to know when we add new services to our menu.

Pumpkins - What to do with them?

There is so much to love about pumpkins.  Here are a few different things to try at home.

Decorate:
We all know that people can carve pumpkins for Halloween, or paint them if you wish.  Here are a few different ideas for using pumpkins in your decor.

Pumpkin flower pot.

Pumpkin candle holders.

Beer cooler!  Who woulda thought?

Eat:
You can make so much great food with pumpkin.  Here are links to some of my favorite recipes.
Chocolate glazed pumpkin pie cheesecake

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin-Bean Soup

Spiced Pumpkin Doughnuts

Pumpkin Pancakes

Great for your skin:
Melrose Muscle Therapy has introduced its newest massage offering:  a Pumpkin Spice Facial Massage.  It smells like pumpkin pie, and feels so smooth on your skin.  Pumpkin has so many benefits when used on our skin.  It has anti-aging properties that wipe away wrinkles. Book your appointment now and enjoy the autumn season a little bit more.

Mom and Entrepreneur, it's a Balancing Act

Today has been quite a busy day for work. Even though I am at home with my girls during the day, I am constantly working on my business. A few minutes here, a few minutes there.  While the girls are having a tea party, I can sneak away (still in the same room of course) and read an article, reply to some emails, or what have you. This weekend, I have a huge event that I am preparing for, and getting everything together has been pretty stressful, even though I plan ahead for it. Today I mixed together some sugar scrubs that I will offer for sale. I then made some other type of concoction so that my daughter could "help" me. The sugar scrub that I put together will be a new product offered by Melrose Muscle Therapy, so we will see how it goes. I also put together some more muscle soaks (mix of epsom salts and sea salts) that my clients love for those days they just need an escape. I designed and sent out an email blast to my clients. I feel pretty accomplished today. =)

Sometimes it can be difficult to balance being a mom and an entrepreneur.  I wouldn't have it any other way though. There are some days that I don't get anything done for my business, but I get to be Super Mom all the time.  There are times when I get so stressed out with upcoming deadlines, and a baby being sick, or both at the same time that I will cry in the shower just to release the tension.  Once the deadlines pass, and my baby feels healthy again, I will schedule myself in for a massage.  I try to plan ahead as much as I can, but something always comes up when you are a mom.  Not everything can be planned.  I've learned to always have a plan B and a plan C.  I have found ways to keep myself grounded, ask for help if needed.

I would love to know if you have any advice for other moms out there that may feel overwhelmed at times, and what they can do if they have a spare moment to themselves (as rare as that is).  Please comment below with any advice.

Benefits for the Parent During Infant Massage

September is full of community events for Melrose Muscle Therapy. On September 22, I will be teaching a free Infant Massage Workshop at the Melrose Park Library. I will be teaching it in English, with a Spanish translator. This will be my first bilingual class, and I'm super excited about it. There is pre-registration required, but it is a free class. It if goes well, we will offer it again soon, and possibly bring the workshop to other places such as the local hospitals, or doctor's offices as a program for their patients. Did you know that infant massage doesn't just benefit baby? It also benefits mom, dad, or whomever it is that is massaging baby.

Benefits of Infant Massage for Parents

• Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.
• Parents learn to understand and respond to baby’s cues.
• Parents learn techniques to comfort, calm and soothe their babies.
• Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.
• Infant Massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.
  

(Information about benefits from Infant Massage USA @ www.infantmassageusa.org)

So if you are a new parent, a grandparent, expecting mother, babysitter, nanny, or any other caretaker, then please sign up for the free infant massage workshop.  I'd love to see you there.

Melrose Muscle Therapy accepts insurance?

I have had quite a few people ask me if I accept insurance so they can get their massage treatment covered. Unfortunately, in the state of Illinois, an independent massage therapist currently can not currently accept insurance. I can, however, work in conjunction with another medical professional, such as a chiropractor in order to get massage covered by insurance. So, this is what I have done. A small drive down the street from Melrose Muscle Therapy is a fantastic chiropractor, Dr. Jacqueline Martinez, CCSP, DABCO (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, Diplomate American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedics, in case you were wondering what those letters stood for). I have partnered up with her to give my clients an option. If your insurance covers massage treatments for you, then you can make an appointment to see me at Dr. Martinez's office. I am there every other week on Friday mornings. You can have any chiropractic treatment done as well, while you are there, or you can come in just for your massage. If your insurance doesn't cover massage, don't worry, just sign up for Melrose Muscle Therapy's email list. You will receive different specials each month, right to your inbox. I hope this partnership will help those of you who haven't been able to come in for massage before. See you soon!

Melrose Muscle Therapy at the Taste of Melrose Park

I'm very excited about some events that I will be doing in the neighborhood in the coming weeks. The first big event is next weekend (Aug 31, Sept 1 & 2) is the Taste of Melrose Park. Melrose Muscle Therapy will have an information booth there for the first time. I have been going to the Taste of MP for most all of my life (missed only one year that I am aware of). It is family friendly, lots of fun, and great food! This year there are over 70 food vendors, mostly family booths, and not restaurants. The food ranges in price from $1-$3, and the best part about it is that you can actually have lunch and dinner there and not be hungry, or out of money at the end of the day. There are a few booths that I look forward to every year: Sfingi (sugar donuts made by nuns), arancini (fried rice ball filled stuffed with meat and veggies), and quesadillas. There is so much food at this event, that I never make it to each booth. This year, I may have a good chance at it, since I will be there the entire time.

Melrose Muscle Therapy will have an informational booth nearby the crafts and other businesses this year. We will have giveaways, information, and free chair massage given by yours truly. I hope that you take some time out next weekend and join us at this year's Taste of Melrose Park. We would love to see you there!

We all love a little chocolate!

When people think of dieting, they think of things they are going to stop eating.  One that comes to mind are sweets, especially chocolate.  Well, I've figured out a way to cure that chocolate craving, without any of the guilt!

Introducing Melrose Muscle Therapy's newest offering:

Chocolate Indulgence Massage

Chocolate Indulgence Massage in Melrose Park, IL

No, I will not be rubbing chocolate syrup all over you, or anything messy such as that.  What this massage is - is a Swedish or Deep Tissue (or a combination of the two) massage with a special oil.  This oil is infused with cocoa, and the smell will just take you away to the most decadent place.  You can book your appointment by clicking here.  The 60 minute massage is only $90, and if you 'Like' Melrose Muscle Therapy on Facebook, you will get 10% off any and all massages!