Urban Oasis

Massage for Runners

Urban Oasis — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:44:23 +0000

Now that the hibernation is finally over, thousands of runners are hitting the trails to help shed unwanted pounds and/or train for one of the myriad of races that our fair city provides. Regardless of your age or level of fitness, the pounding and repetitive nature of the sport can take quite a toll on your back, hips, legs and feet. It’s essential, whether you’re training for a race or running recreationally, to take the time to care for your body. Massage therapy has a proven track record to do just that. Massage helps alleviate the pain and stiffness that can result from running or any type of strenuous exercise. But what type of massage should you ask for?

For extreme runners or those who are training for a marathon, a sports massage is the best choice. A sports massage is ideal for stretching out muscles before or following an event — to increase flexibility, prevent cramping, reduce recovery time and prevent repetitive motion injuries. Above all, it helps reduce inflammation, which is the primary cause of your pain.

For the occasional runner, a Swedish or Deep Tissue massage should do the trick. A Swedish massage utilizes long, flowing strokes of various pressure to release muscle tension and increase blood flow. Deep Tissue massage focuses on a few specific problem areas, like tight hamstrings or hip flexors. The work can be a little intense at times as deep pressure may be used to help loosen adhesions in the muscles.

Whatever type of massage you choose, you’re repairing and re-energizing your body so you can get back out there tomorrow with renewed vigor. Urban Oasis has 65 massage therapists on staff to help you, 38 of whom specialize in sports massage. So, do your body a favor sometime this summer and stop in for a massage. You won’t even have to thank us once you surpass your personal best.

Congratulations to 20 Winners!

Urban Oasis — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:17:57 +0000

One of the offers we were running to celebrate our 20th Anniversary was awarding a free one-hour massage to 20 people who bought a gift card/certificate in the month of December. 20 names were randomly chosen last week and they are:

1. Rain Foster
2. Sarah Samuels
3. Deanne Benos
4. Marcia Walz
5. Anne Carbo
6. Susan Lichtenstein
7. Katharine Hanold
8. Kathy Wong
9. Amy Cahill
10. Marcia Coburn

11. Colleen Jones
12. Maria C Calderon
13. Sue Castro
14. Gary Opp
15. Elizabeth Hardig
16. Maryellen Joyce
17. Dana Cohen
18. Richard Ness
19. Vicki Abrahamson
20. Billy Thomas

Congratulations! Your gift cards or certificates will be sent to you this week.

Urban Oasis Website Redesign

Urban Oasis — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:52:50 +0000

We’re very excited to announce the launch of our new website and Facebook page to create a more dynamic web presence. The site has gone through a complete makeover, making the online experience for our customers more interactive, personalized and fun. One change you will notice is our therapist biography section, which has been expanded and now includes photos/images of our staff. One major addition to our site is a Yelp-like review section where comments can be posted about specific sessions and/or therapists. Our Facebook page has also gone through a reboot to include exciting contests and updates from our two locations.

We built our new website in partnership with Christopher Foltz & Company, a full service communication strategy firm that brings a fresh, hip, and unique approach to creating the most efficient advertising, marketing, media, and public relations strategies.

Urban Oasis is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

Urban Oasis — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:36:02 +0000

Urban Oasis is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

For 18 years Urban Oasis has specialized in massage therapy, providing pain relief and relaxation to the City of Big, often Sore, Shoulders!

The mission of the American Massage Therapy Association is to serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.

Massage Therapy Research

The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions:

Massage therapy for cancer-related fatigue.10
Massage for chronic low back pain.11
Massage therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee.11
Massage after surgery to help with post-operative pain.11
Boosting the body’s immune system functioning.12
Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.13
Reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure in stroke patients.14
Reducing headache frequency.15
Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.16

10 The National Institutes of Health, Website: www.clinicaltrials.gov

11 Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironson, G. Massage Therapy Effects on Breast Cancer. (unpublished); 1998.Ironson, G., Field, T., et.al. Massage Therapy is Associated with Enhancement of the Immune System’s Cytotoxic Capacity. Intern. J. Neuroscience. 84:205-217; 1996.Zeitlin, D., et.al. Immunological Effects of Massage Therapy During Academic Stress. Psychosomatic Medicine. 62:83-87; Jan/Feb 2000.

12 Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2004

13 Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery. 2004, Vol. 10, pp. 209-216.

14 American Journal of Public Health. October 2002.

15 The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2005, Vol. 11, No. 2. pp.311-313.

16 Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2002, Vol. 34, No. 3.

Released on December 2007