Sanctuary Healing Arts
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massage therapy in boulder county

Create a sanctuary within yourself with the peace and relaxation that exquisite massage therapy invites. With your guidance, we create an exquisite massage that serves you wherever you are as a woman. The Latin root of the word “massage” means to touch and is the heart and soul of Sanctuary Healing Arts. Massage therapy is an art of assessing and applying amazing touch techniques to your skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and organs. Sisters, this is health care, not a luxury, and you are worth it!

massage services

Our expertise is serving women* and their wee ones. *We know that not all our clients identify as women. We see you and respect you. We are here to serve everyone and their journeys and are happy to tailor our language and pronouns to be inclusive of your identity.*

  • well woman massage
  • maya abdominal therapy
  • mama massage (prenatal + postnatal)
  • wee one infant massage instruction

Fascinating new research dittoes what women tell us in their reviews and explains why massage therapy makes you feel so wonderful. For more information on this research and benefits of massage therapy, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

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Joel Peterson Photography

well woman massage

Well woman massage weaves together an exquisite tapestry of techniques just for women. With your guidance, we create a wonderful massage just right for you. Whether you are feeling divine and enjoy massage as regular self care or you are seeking sanctuary from pain, our experienced, licensed massage therapists are here to serve you.

To learn more about what you can request and expect in your massage, read about the following massage offerings …

breast massage

Breast massage (yes, that’s right- for happy, healthy tatas!) is a beautiful therapeutic treatment for breast health that optimizes blood and lymphatic circulation. Unlike other areas of the female body, breast tissue has no internal muscle or joint motion to move your breasts and promote circulation. Tight clothing may also reduce your normal tissue motion, and poor posture may further reduce breast tissue circulation leading to pain and degenerative tissue change. Breast massage is recommended for tender and painful breasts, fibrocystic breast lumps and pain associated with menstrual cycles, breast discomfort and pain due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weaning and mastitis, reducing scar tissue after diagnostic procedures, surgeries or breast trauma. This massage can also addresses surrounding muscular trigger points that refer pain to the breast, as well poor pectoralis major muscle tone following submuscular breast implant. The treatment includes education in self breast massage. Breast massage is a lovely compliment to your personal goal of becoming more comfortable with your sweet breasts. If you have breast pain, please consult with your primary health care provider first.

manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage is a deeply relaxing array of techniques designed to assist your lymphatic system’s optimal function. Lymph movement is vital for proper immune function, tissue repair and cellular health. Gentle, slow, rhythmic strokes lightly stretch your skin and lymph vessels in both a parallel and a perpendicular direction to encourage more efficient lymph fluid movement. Manual lymphatic drainage is ideal for your general wellness, pregnancy related edema, as well as pre- and post surgery and scar healing including immediately after Cesarean birth.

medical massage therapy

Medical massage therapy focuses on alleviating pain that accompanies medically diagnosed conditions with symptoms of soft tissue pain and dysfunction exacerbated by stress – rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, migraines, and fibromyalgia just to name a few. Working closely with you and your primary health care provider, we focus on reducing your pain and stress with appropriately adapted massage therapy while improving your quality of life.

myofascial release

Myofascial release relieves soft tissue pain and increases range of motion and function. “Myo” means muscle, and fascia is the body’s beautiful continuous soft tissue web connecting your muscles, nerves, organs and bones running from head to toes. Stress, inflammation, scar tissue, injury, trauma and poor posture may cause restrictions in both your muscles and fascia, and because fascia is a continuous soft tissue web, myofascial restriction in one area of your body may affect other areas. Myofascial release tends to be slower in pace to find, isolate and mobilize adhesions between structures. Active and passive stretching techniques is often added to further restore your range of motion and soft tissue function. Learn more about fascia at Why Fascia Matters.

neuromuscular therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is an amazing and effective variety of techniques that can reduce your pain and restore optimal function to the neuromuscular system. Nerves control the contraction and stretch of muscles, and neuromuscular therapy focuses on interrupting painful nerve impulses and normalizing muscle tone and function with techniques including positional release, muscle energy techniques (post isometric relaxation and reciprocal inhibition), hydrotherapy (hot and cold water therapy) as well as myofascial release and trigger point therapy.

swedish massage

Swedish massage is the most popular style of massage therapy in the United States and was originally developed by Pehr Henrik Ling, a Swedish physiologist, in the early 1800’s. Swedish massage includes five basic strokes – effleurage (gliding strokes), petrissage (kneading and compression), tapotement (percussion), friction and vibration,  which are applied with oil or lotion to the skin and underlying soft tissues. Swedish massage can assist our body’s optimal function by increasing relaxation, increasing delivery of blood and oxygen, decreasing tension and reducing pain and inflammation in the soft tissues throughout the body.

trigger point therapy

Trigger point therapy developed by Dr. Janet Travell, is the use of deeper, static pressure to tender muscle fibers that relieves tension, pain and dysfunction. Trigger points are common and may be caused by injury, trauma, poor posture, overuse and other chronic physical and emotional stressors. Trigger points cause referred pain, numbness and tingling to another area of your body. A classic example of trigger point pain is temporal and frontal headache pain cause by trigger points in the nearby trapezius muscle of the neck and shoulders. Other examples include back pain caused by trigger points in the adjacent iliopsoas and abdominal muscles, and shoulder and arm pain caused by triggers points in the nearby muscles of the rotator cuff.

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common questions about massage therapy

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Location

We are conveniently located inside the Joy Collective,
next to the Birth Center of Boulder in the Goose Creek Office Park:

2800 Folsom Street Suite D
Boulder, Colorado 80304
Phone 720-828-2802

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maya abdominal therapy

Maya abdominal therapy is a lineage of ancient techniques for women of all ages as they …

  • anticipate a young maiden’s “first moon” (menses)
  • experience menstrual, ovulation, abdominal and/or pelvic pain
  • optimize wellness for pregnancy
  • recover from abdominal surgery including Cesarean birth and hysterectomy
  • find peace in and after menopause

We offer the Arvigo Techniques™ of Maya Abdominal Therapy as taught by Dr. Rosita Arvigo. This relaxing and gentle massage to your abdomen and back normalizes blood, lymph, nerve, and energy flow through the core of the body while inviting the “tipped” or prolapsing uterus back to its normal, happier midline position in the pelvis. It is an ideal treatment for painful, irregular menses or ovulation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), low back and pelvic pain, headaches and dizziness with menses, chronic urinary tract infections, chronic miscarriage, difficult pregnancy, infertility, painful intercourse, endometriosis, endometritis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, hysterectomy and difficult peri-menopause and menopause. Falls, carrying heavy burdens, car accidents and difficult childbirth can all contribute to a tipped or prolapsed uterus. It is ideal to schedule appointments when not menstruating or in pregnancy’s 1st trimester to experience with full treatment. If hoping for a pregnancy in the near future, it is ideal to schedule several menstrual cycles beforehand to enjoy the changes prior to your pregnancy. Maya abdominal therapy is not recommended if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) or have abdominal pain not yet evaluated by your primary health care provider. The first appointment is 90 minutes and includes self care massage instruction to continue at home, and a 60 minute follow up appointment is recommended in the following month. Maya Abdominal Therapy is provided by Certified Practitioners of the Arvigo Techniques™ of Maya Abdominal Therapy. 

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mama massage in boulder

What better time to receive massage and appreciate the magnificence of being a woman than during pregnancy, birth and becoming a new mother!? Transformative changes and magic abound each day and week for you and your baby (babies). You want the reassurance of having exquisite massage therapy with care and attention for each week’s unique needs by experienced, licensed massage therapists who specialize in prenatal and postnatal massage therapy. Whether your journey is easy, a bit tougher than you expected or even medically complicated, massage is beautiful way to care for and celebrate you and your baby or babies!

*We know that not all pregnant and postpartum people identify as women. We see you and respect you. We are here to serve everyone in their journeys and are happy to tailor our language and pronouns to be inclusive of your identity.*

prenatal mama massage

Research studies confirm what mamas tell us about their prenatal massages — relaxation has numerous benefits to both mothers and babies including…

  • improving mother’s emotions, optimizes her pregnancy physiology for her and her babe(s)
  • improving the outcomes for mamas and babes with fewer hospital admissions, and antenatal, interpartum and postpartum complications including reducing Cesarean births
  • normalizing babe’s heart rate and motor activity, promotes longer gestations and higher birth weight

In another research study, mothers report that massage therapy reduces their back pain, improves their mood and promotes better sleep – yeah! No need to be uncomfortable mama! Prenatal massage can creatively meet and reduce a long list of common pregnancy discomforts including …

  • back, rib and pelvic pain (yes that sciatic-like pain called piriformis syndrome as well as sacroiliac and pubic symphysis pain)
  • uterine round ligament pain
  • edema and numbness and tingling in hands from edema (carpal tunnel or thoracic outlet syndrome)
    muscle tension and pain associated with those sweet hormonal changes, weight gain, postural changes and daily activities including headaches and those terrible leg and foot cramps
  • nausea
  • sinus congestion
  • shortness of breath
  • Prenatal massage therapy also can help you prepare for labor and birth with heightened sensory and movement awareness and flexibility for that special day.

postnatal mama massage

It’s the best time in your life to receive massage therapy to celebrate your amazing work growing and birthing your baby while helping you rest and heal. The remarkable changes after pregnancy and birth continue into your “fourth trimester” and beyond. Postnatal massages can begin immediately after birth and enjoyed for years as you and your baby continue your dance together.

It’s easy with babe in arms with you, spouse/partner, another family member or friend or in the Sanctuary Healing Arts baby bassinet! Life happens during massages with breastfeeding and diaper changes too. If you are a mama receiving Sanctuary Postpartum Doula Care, home postnatal massages are available as an additional add-on postpartum doula care service.

Postnatal mama massage comes complete with caring attention that …

  • speeds your healing after vaginal or Cesarean birth
  • relieves muscle tension and pain after labor and birth
  • reduces uterine afterpains and expedites uterine involution
  • relieves breast tenderness and pain associated with lactation and breastfeeding
  • promotes structural realignment of your spine, organs and pelvis for optimal pain free movement now and in the years to come
  • reduces pain resulting from repetitive newborn and child care activities including “new mother’s neck” that accompanies breastfeeding as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, DeQuervain’s syndrome and back pain
  • creates well adapted Cesarean birth scar tissue by reducing pain, numbness, edema and adhesions and teaches you a progression of self massage techniques to care for your baby’s “window into the world” as soon as staples are removed upon hospital discharge or whenever you are ready … even months and years later.

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wee one infant massage instruction in boulder

Infant massage is one on of the most delightful ways to get to know one another while delivering amazing benefits for your baby now and in the years to come. Infant massage …

  • enhances parent-infant bonding and interaction
  • improves parent-infant communication
  • improves parental understanding of infant’s cues and needs
  • improves awareness of touch communication skills for parents
  • increases maternal prolactin levels stimulating nurturing feelings
  • improves digestion
  • can reduce colic and reflux
  • increases alert states and improves wake/sleep states
  • accelerates neural connections and maturation of the sympathetic nervous system

For premature and medically fragile infants, appropriate touch can …

  • increase weight gain by 21-47%
  • improve performance on the Brazelton neurobehavioral assessment scale
  • reduce secretion of stress hormones and increased serotonin levels
  • decreased painful touch aversion and increase pain tolerance
  • increase likelihood of earlier discharge from the hospital

To organize wee one infant massage instruction for your group or event, please contact us.

Buy our favorite “Baby Baby Oh Baby: Bonding With Your Brilliant & Beautiful Baby Through Infant Massage” DVD or rent streaming.BBOB-IM-cover

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common questions about massage therapy

Do you have a special massage table for pregnant mamas?

Yes, a hydraulic salon back massage therapy table awaits pregnant mamas. This comfortable table allows mamas to be in the safest semi-reclined and side lying positions for their massages, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

What are the fees and ways to pay?

$180 120-minute appointment
$140  90-minute appointment
$95   60-minute appointment
$55   30-minute follow up appointment
Please allow a few extra minutes after appointments for payment with cash, check, credit/debit card or gift card and future appointment scheduling.

* No tipping sisters as this is health care, not a luxury! Many of our clients ask, “Should I add a tip or gratuity for my massage therapist?” No, other than chocolate(!), we ask that you express your gratitude by gifting an amount of your choice to the Postpartum Abundance Project which makes postpartum doula care available to another mother and baby in our local community. Your contribution matches the contribution of a family in need. At Sanctuary Healing Arts, we believe that our abundance is to be shared with others.

Does health insurance cover massage therapy?

Ask your insurance company if massage therapy is a covered benefit in your policy. We can provide a receipt to submit to your insurance or Flexible Spending Account. You may also pay for your massage therapy with a Health Savings Account credit card or check.

What is the cancellation policy?

Thank you for honoring our 48-hour cancellation policy. This includes cancelling or rescheduling an appointment within 48 hours of an appointment or no showing for an appointment and allows adequate time to offer the time reserved for you to others on the wait list. Cancellation within 48 hours will be charged for the full appointments with exceptions for birth, illness, weather and dangerous driving conditions or emergency. Thank you!

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logo by Sugar Design / website made with love by Simplified Website Design, Unique Think + Pink Elephant Communications

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© 2015 Sanctuary Healing Arts LLC
logo by Sugar Design / website made with love by Pink Elephant

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