Massage in Elk Grove

A burbling waterfall wall and live palm fronds welcome clients to the earth-toned oasis of Elk Grove Massage29. Before beginning any session, the spa’s licensed therapists consult with clients to determine the best massage for their needs; it could be Swedish strokes to slake general stress or hot stones to melt away tension and determine which extremities are really just frozen burritos. The therapists also specialize in hot-pack massage, which uses grain-filled pouches that are heated to 170–180 degrees in order to release tension and increase flexibility.

Massage practitioner Alvin Kincer followed his passion for massage therapy and wellness after working various jobs in the fields of wine, golf, dentistry, and education, and he now uses his experiences to deepen his understanding of each client. Alvin works to melt stress and tension with a variety of massage techniques ranging from a custom signature massage to reflexology trigger-point manipulation. Each session works to improve circulation, increase energy, and reduce fatigue in strained athletes, stiff office workers, and sore human cannonballs. Alvin's massage goals include improving each client's health, helping to heal injuries, and bolstering happiness.

Massage therapist Sherri Battle began her education stateside, but her pursuit of authentic Thai-massage techniques eventually led her to the modality’s birthplace—either Thailand or the maternity ward. While abroad, Sherri studied under two bodywork masters, one specialiazing in a type of deep-tissue work known as “nerve touch,” and the other well-versed in northern Thai methods. Sherri eventually loaded her new knowledge into her suitcase, perhaps with miniature shampoo and soap, and returned home to found Sher-Thai Massage. The signature treatment Sherri now uses was pioneered in the third or second century BC by a physician and rumored confidant of Buddha. Based on a matrix of sen lines, which conduct energy throughout the body, the technique releases built-up energy that can cause pain and disease with a blend of acupressure, gentle stretching, and assisted yoga maneuvers. She sometimes augments her treatments with steamed herb packs or a reflexology massage, which only targets the reflex points that connect to the entire body.

What began as a traveling-spa-party business in 2010 has since grown into a brick-and-mortar studio where three licensed massage therapists ply their trade. In addition to classic massage treatments—such as relaxation, deep-tissue, and hot-stone therapy—the crew has branched out into other services that require greater expertise. During reiki treatments the staff addresses the body's energy flow, and both pediatric and infant massages meet the needs of all American Girl dolls. Super Spa Girl owner Jenny Keffer is also a fertility-massage specialist, which enables her to help women achieve their dream of becoming mothers through a combination of deep abdominal massage, pelvic rocking, reflexology, and aromatherapy.

Inside Stacey Jae's Massage Studio, therapists apply custom strokes to attack chronic pain in toughened muscles, tailoring services to suit athletes, sufferers of chronic pain, or those with fibromyalgia. Owner and Fair Oaks Massage Institute graduate Stacey Jae draws from more than 3,000 hours of experience and more than 500 hours of education to alleviate specific problems. Though her specialties include deep-tissue massage and injury prevention, she also blends in aromatherapy and hot stones for relaxation-focused sessions. No matter what modality they prefer, Stacey allows her customers to maintain complete control over their appointment, draping them to their comfort and always letting them dictate how much yodeling is too much.

The staff at Healing Arts Institute instructs aspiring therapists in body work that aims to eliminate pain from the center of the body. Anatomy and physiology classes, classrooms with full-length mirrors, and more than 1,600 square feet of space help interns learn body mechanics. A vast understanding of the body’s inner workings help them as they move from classroom study to the school’s onsite spa, where clients can schedule massages with them or with the school’s experts. While beginning interns perform gentle Swedish-style massages, more advanced practitioners can quell injuries with their handiwork. Regardless of style, all of Healing Arts Institute’s clients depart from the massage clinic feeling more relaxed than a sloth traveling through a speed trap.