Caring Portland Massage - FKA Julie Mae, LMT

Trans people have always been.
I'm so sorry for how the election turned out. Are you doing okay?

Reach out when you need something. I'm a resource, and I know others who want to help.

Flash availability this weekend: Friday Sept 6 between 1:30-4:30, Saturday Sept 7 from 9am to noon. How to book: link in bio caringportland.janeapp.com, text, email, dm.

Clean air, cool room, easy music. Nominated Best massage of Rose City 2024.

HIDDEN GEMS! This huge study (24,000 people in a 2022 National Health Interview Survey) shows how massage is "widely used", "mainstream therapeutic modailty" & "merits wider integration into the community of Healthcare professionals". In short: massage is healthcare.

Come & get cared for! Books are open at caringportland.janeapp.com or learn more link in bio

Quote from Jeff Levin, Ph.D., M.P.H., University Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health.

"What our study shows is that it’s probably not helpful any longer to label massage as an ‘alternative’ therapy, with all of the marginality that the term conveys,” Levin said. “Licensed massage therapists ought to be respected as mainstream practitioners, whose profession provides a therapeutic approach not just to address pain and functional challenges but to foster wellness and overall well-being, physical and emotional. Everyone can benefit from working with a skilled massage therapist. They’re the hidden gems in the healthcare system.”

Link to full article https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2024/baylor-researchers-publish-largest-study-ever-massage-therapy-use

This 2023 study shows for women "intake of dark chocolate increased peak pain intensity by 2.1%" ... for men, it reduces pain. [The study neglected to work with nonbinary people and did not indicate participant trans status.] Every week, I'm chatting with clients detailing their journey through pain reduction strategies. Today's conversation included FODMAP diet, removal of carbonated drinks, and limiting cacao / chocolate. I'll post the study link in comment section.

A long time regular client sent over this image today. And I realized I haven't posted anything since the ice event. So here is an update:
Yesterday, a client said, "My coworkers and I were talking about you. Apparently, we all go to you. You're the best." A different client said, "You give the best scalp massage. I've never experienced anything like that before." And someone else yesterday said, "I think of you as a massage goddess."
... I couldn't and dare not make this up 😅

I don't put any mystery into my schedule. It stays Wednesday through Sunday, viewable any time at caringportland.janeapp.com. Put a card on file to reserve, complete the online intake, and it's that simple. Don't see the time you need? Use the waitlist feature & if something opens up, you'll receive an alert.

See you then, I guess.

Snow day reading! Check out this article on APNEWS about how scoliosis (probably) protected people from infections carried by the cattle & sheep they herded. Doesn't remove pain and discomfort, but sometimes knowing you're a super-human with a beneficial adaptation is a nice change of pace https://apnews.com/article/multiple-sclerosis-ancient-dna-c8fbfe4ba7d4e2447eec52c6000878dc

Some days are really hard, and the best we can do is find someone who'll let us rest and co-regulate. I'm here for your nervous system tune-up.

Pictures from today: my 90lb great Pyr rescue named Jack, and my 12lb red tabby rescue named Norton. These two met in 2018 and have been getting sweeter and sweeter every day since. They keep me going, 100%.

I have no problem if you want to talk about the lovelies you are guardian to for the duration of your appointment. No problem with that at all 😻

A reminder for wild weather season: be sure to take care in travel to & from appointments

I usually have wiggle room on the schedule - so, if you are running late due to weather, it's okay! We might be able to bump to a later time. Just let me know what's going on.

Oregon/Metro is notorious for sneaky road conditions & the ice prevention some cities get to use don't work for our rainy/snap-to-ice reality. When snow&ice hits, I want you to be safe!

Most of my regulars have been in pdx for ages, but for anyone new-ish, here are some "hot tips for cold days"

1. Yak-trax - these snow treads slip over the soles of most shoes. I can't count the # of people each year who slip when walking casual-like. I'm going to say it again: weather in pdx is deceptive. It may look safe, but if the temps hit freezing, it's possible you'll end on your ass if you aren't prepped. Yak-trax and similar brands are the secret that keeps postal carriers moving regardless of weather conditions.

2. Waterproof shoes - I have yet to personally find a pair I truly love. I've heard good things about chrome brand & Bogs, and I'm sure there are many others. If you have leather soles, a little preplanning + mink oil works. I've heard that no "slip proof" shoes actually can keep you from sliding so refer back to 1 if you don't like falling.

3. Layers - probably goes without saying. Temperature is variable everywhere, all year. But in winter, it can feel freezing even when it's 50*. I keep the clinic set to 70* and have no problem bumping up or cooling down from there - just let me know.

4. Car care - every winter, tree branches break. I'm not an arborist or tree scientist, so my understanding is rudimentary. An arborist told me the way to avoid tree limbs falling is to ensure the tree receives lots of water during dry summers (and prune for health as appropriate). Obv, street trees are not well cared for. When freezing temps hit, tree limbs brust & fall on cars. It has happened to my car near the office. Thus I say: take care parking! Use the free parking lot if it's safe for you.

5. Reach out - I'm available & we can collaborate for your wellness - just reach out. I'm here for you.

Inspired by the knitting convo the other day, I pulled a chart from the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible and used up 3 skeins of leftover yarn. Simple lace cowl for the win!

This morning, a client was sharing how she recently discovered knitting and is pursuing it as a hobby. I knitted for years, so it was nice to share tips so this person can grow faster in her skills. And then I saw Piecework's latest publication included this article outlining how knitting manages stress AND helps people heal from physical pain!! This confirms so much I suspected
https://pieceworkmagazine.com/knit-purl-heal/

This morning, a client was sharing how she recently discovered knitting and is pursuing it as a hobby. I knitted for years, so it was nice to share tips so this person can grow faster in her akills. And then I saw Piecework's latest publication included this article outlining out knitting

Knit, Purl, Heal Scientific research now validates what die-hard knitters have long known in their hearts: the power to manage stress, to control well-being, and to recover from certain physical injuries often lies in one’s own hands.