Men and Massage

Many men are turning to massage to manage stress and to enhance their overall health and well being. Massage has become increasingly popular with men over the last two decades in both spas and clinics. The number of men booking monthly, bi-weekly and weekly massage sessions is at an all time high and growing steadily.

Generally speaking, men are seeking the same results from their massages as women. Men are especially interested in the pain relief properties and enhanced athletic performance that therapeutic massage can create.

For men over 30 in particular, the health benefits of massage are a draw, as well as the stress relief and anti-aging benefits of massage.

Benefits most often reported by men from their massages include:

• relief from chronic pain
• relief from old injuries
• increased range of motion 
• neck and shoulder tension relief
• recovery from work related stress
• recovery from travel fatigue 
• decreased recovery time from sports injuries and pain 
• improved performance at the gym
• headache relief 
• improved sleep
• overall relaxation

Men are more likely than women to stick to a regular massage time slot. Our male clients are highly likely to get a massage series to save money on individual sessions. Massages favored by men include:

• scalp massage
• sports massage
• deep tissue massage
• myofascial massage
• foot massage
• our deep therapeutic foot massage
• hot stones
• our signature massage
• the massage and scrub combo

Urban Sanctuary is a man-friendly spa. We had men in mind when we designed our space and our service offerings. Spas are not just for women anymore. Times have changed. Everyone benefits from a good self care and stress prevention regime.

We like to say, "be kind and unwind"... 

Great Gifts For Father's Day

A great gift for Father's Day, Zum Bars are fresh, clean and natural.

• Our Signature Men's Massage: Includes deep tissue, hot stones and neck, back and shoulder focus. Browse our men's services here
• Soap: What Dad doesn't love soap? Try the manly Charcoal Soap or natural Cedarwood, Sandalwood Citrus and Coffee Almond. 
• Foot Massage: We have several massage styles to choose from - Deep Tissue, Reflexology and Asian Foot massage. 
• Beard Care: Vetiver and Sage Beard Oil, Cedar Bergamot Shave Tonic and Wanderlust Multipurpose grooming product are fine choices. Find these products here
• Mud: Yes, Men's Cleansing Mud for the face is a refreshingly clean scented must try!
• Scalp Massage: Deeply relaxing for the brain and body. Your choice of Tea Tree Eucalyptus or Sandalwood. This service can include TMJ massage and or neck and shoulder massage. Find more information here
• Handsome Scents: Owl, Whale, Boot, Pipe and more solid fragrances by Soap and Paper Factory. Woodsy, spicy and masculine notes
• Sports Massage
• A MAN icure: Why should Dad have to live with hang nails and calluses? Our nail services
• Gift Certificates: Let dad choose his favorite service or products! Find out more or purchase online

      Browse our pricing information here

Staff Highlight: Allison Snell LMT

Allison Snell is the newest member of our massage department at Urban Sanctuary. Allison brings with her a wealth of interesting life and career experience as well as a real passion for massage.

People are raving about Allison. She is really fun to be with and clients thoroughly enjoy her massage work.

Allison has a background in Medical Massage which has proven useful in instances where people seek pain relief from their massages.NueromuscularTherapy, Myofacial Release, Deep Tissue and Reiki are some of her favorite modalities to incorporate into Medical Massage or stress reduction Massage.

Allison excels at Sports Massage. She was massage therapist for Georgia Southern University Swimming and Diving Teams at Collegiate Coastal Conference Championships! Not an honor that many licensed massage therapists are afforded. It speaks volumes about the quality of Allison's deep tissue, sports massage and therapeutic massage skills.

Background: Allison holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia.She's a graduate of the Georgia Career Institute  in Conyers. After completing their massage program, she studied Thai Massage and medical massage.

Experiences: Allison was a wild-land firefighter for the United States Forest Service in both Vermont and Colorado. She spent many years as an organic farmer in the western mountains of Maine and in Mansfield, Georgia.

Enjoys: Telemark skiing, mountain biking, hiking, organic farming and yoga.
Loves: Trail running with her English setter, belle. Loves bluegrass music and Thai food.

 

Your First Massage: How To Choose and How Long It Should Be

Urban Sanctuary is nestled in the historic Boulevard district of Athens, Georgia.

     Massage is the most popular of all types of spa services. Massage therapists use various techniques to heal and relax both mind and body. There are many types of massage to choose from. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the massages we offer at Urban Sanctuary.

What kind of massage should I get? 
     There is no short answer to this question. It all depends on your personal likes and dislikes. Here are a few to consider:

• Swedish Massage-- is a safe bet for a first time client who would just like to relax. It is the most well-known type of massage and incorporates lots of kneading and long gliding strokes.
• Our Signature Massage-- we recommend for clients who want to experience a sampling of several  techniques and massage styles during one massage. It's a good way to help you learn what your preferences are. Our Signature Massage rolls Hot Stones, Dry Brushing, Aromatherapy and Deep Tissue techniques into one graceful treatment.
• Back, Neck and Shoulder-- this massage targets where many people ache the most. A good choice for a first timer.
• Deep Tissue or Sports Massage-- are perfect for you if you'd like to work out a few specific areas of your body or prepare yourself for strenuous activity. Both massage styles target the client's goals in a very productive, result-oriented way. The focused and directed attention to detail makes a lot of people feel very satisfied. If that sounds good to you, choose either deep tissue or sports massage for your first time. Both modalities appeal to people who prefer deeper pressure.
• Prenatal Massage-- addresses the special needs of an expecting mother. We perform prenatal massages in the side lying position and incorporate special techniques to address swollen ankles, legs and sinuses. Extra time and attention is devoted to the low back and hip area as well. We avoid using extra heat, very deep pressure and most aromatherapy during prenatal massages.
• Aromatherapy Massage-- focuses on incorporating essential oils in the massage and working the aromatherapy into your system. Lots of wave-like and rhythmical strokes orchestrate this very graceful, mood-altering massage. A great choice if you like aromatherapy. Not for pregnant women or people craving deep tissue work.

Want to try something other than the massages described above?
     We also offer Hot Stones, Thai massage, Foot Massages and Scalp Treatments to name a few. Read about the massages that aren't described here, on our website www.urbansanctuaryspa.com or  call us for help choosing which one to schedule... Your massage therapist will be a good person to help you decide which massage style will best serve your needs.

How long should my massage be?
     

• Half Hour Massages-- work great for attending to a specific area, like a face and scalp massage, foot massage, or back, neck and shoulder massage. A Headache Massage, sinus massage, or TMJ Massage fit into 30 minutes nicely. It's not long enough for a full body massage, but it is long enough to turn your day around. Tess Wilson and Alan McArthur both enjoy giving thirty minute massages.

• 1 Hour Massages-- are the most common length booked. Full body massages and massages for specific areas of tension work very well in an hour's time. Our Signature Massage starts at an hour because it combines three techniques. The Aromatherapy Massage and Full Body Hot Stone Massages are booked at an hour and up. Elizabeth, Suzy and Becca love to give 60 minute massages.
• 1.5 Hour Massages-- work best for tension and knots all over,  for deep relaxation and for people who need a combination of several different massages. Some of our clients with high-stress jobs like to get a 1.5 hour Swedish so they can completely unwind and turn off their racing minds. My'leka, Jen Berry and Nathan enjoy giving 90 minute massages.
• 2 Hour Massages-- are best if you need complete transformation. Do you need thorough coverage of a chronic pain area with plenty of time left over for a full body massage? Would you enjoy Reflexology, Scalp Massage and a Deep Tissue Massage all combined in one visit? Two hour massages are very transformative. Nina Paterson, David Williams, Candice and Krista Kramer each love to give 2 hour massages at Urban Sanctuary. 

  We can help you determine which massage type will best address your needs. We can also pair you with a massage therapist who will be a nice fit for you. Send your inquiries about massage by e-mail or call us. Our email is info@urbansanctuaryspa.com and our phone number is 706-613-3947.

Sports Massage: Is It For You?

             

   Sports Massage has gained great popularity among athletes and non-athletes alike, in the last few decades. Many of our massage therapists at Urban Sanctuary have listed sports massage as one of their favorite services to give. It is a very rewarding type of massage to give because you are helping to enhance what a person can do… The measurable results achieved are probably what is responsible for the big boom in requests for sports massage at gyms, clinics and spas.  People love the connection between their massages and their ability to stretch themselves further on the field, the court or wherever they may be.

              There is some debate in the massage and spa community about the exact definition of sports massage partly due to the fact that there is a lot of overlap in technique between sports massage, deep tissue massage, and several relaxation massage modalities… Stretching, compressions, trigger point work, positional release, myofascial release, efflerauge and many other techniques may be incorporated into your sports massage regimen. The techniques vary according to the purpose of the massage, the preferences of the client, and the style of the massage therapist. The easiest way to distinguish sports massage from other types is the goal of the massage rather than the techniques used. We define sports massage as a very directed style of massage aimed at preparing the body for an event or activity, recovering the body from said event, or maximizing results during physical training periods.

                Pre-event sports massage is the most distinctive from other types as it involves lots of pumping, rocking, and invigorating motions to get the body energized to perform.  Pre-event sports massage often happens on location, and focuses on getting the body warmed up and limbered up for maximum performance. Time is spent lightly addressing injuries like tennis elbow or frozen shoulder, but very deep and painful techniques can take away from performance right before a big swim or game. On location, a pre-event sports massage might be as short as 10-15 minutes, depending on the athletic event.  Swim coaches at a recent college swim meet (Urban Sanctuary Massages at SEC Swim Meet) set the parameters for Urban Sanctuary massage therapists when they provided 20 to 30 minute massages for the divers and 15 minute massages for the swimmers.  

Pre-event sports massages also happen the morning of, or the day before, an event. In this case, the massage can be a little mellower and a lot longer than 30 minutes, still focusing on limbering up and preparing the body. The additional massage time addresses potential problem areas, which might impede performance. Whether off location the day before, or on-location before a match, pre-event sports massage helps muscles achieve their best.

          Post-event sports massages are given after the event to help the body cool down, repair, and recover. Massage reduces recovery time from strenuous activity and over-exertion.  After pushing your body to the limit, massage given on-location or at the spa eases soreness and stiffness. Light stretching and long gliding techniques flush out excess lactic acid, reducing the after-game soreness and cramping. The day-after sports massage can be very beneficial in helping to normalize the body's tissues, reducing shock and bringing the body back to homeostasis. At Urban Sanctuary, we often give massages on Sundays and Mondays to help our clients re-coup from a weekend 5k or marathon.

                On-going sports massage is very useful in improving results achieved during training periods. Great candidates for this include dancers who perform or compete, weight trainers, marathon runners, long distance walkers, hikers, tennis players, skiers, people on a fitness program, people new to a recreational sport, seasoned athletes, and college athletes. Many of the weight trainers who come into Urban Sanctuary for massage have reported that their massages allow them to train harder. Massage benefits anyone who pushes his or her body over time by increasing proprioception. Increased proprioception & body awareness play a part in preventing missed steps & injuries.

                Sports massage incorporates many techniques to relieve pain, break up scar tissue, increase range of motion, and decrease stiffness. Available at many spas and massage clinics around the US, sports massage styles have a great range. The most important thing for a successful sports massage is good communication with your massage therapist about how you feel and what you need. Although originally developed for serious athletes, sports massage is now a favorite for lots of folks who enjoy being active. It’s a nice reward after a job well done.

Candice Courcy – In Arizona, Candice enjoyed working with tennis professionals and rock climbers weekly. Candice ran a massage room for Urban Sanctuary at a local weight training gym called Athens Personal Fitness. She has worked in the spa industry for over 20 years as a massage therapist, instructor, consultant, and spa owner.

Sarah Gschwind -- Our Spa Directer at Urban Sanctuary has worked with jockeys between races for several seasons in the United Kingdom. She's also enjoyed working with several international show jumping teams (Spanish and South African teams) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Contact Urban Sanctuary Spa to schedule your sports massage. Call us at 706-613-3947 or email Candice at candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com