| The following interview was conducted with Mary | | | | Some massage therapy creams are designed for |
| Davis, a Licensed Massage and Bodywork | | | | general use in massage and provide a pleasant |
| Therapist (LMBT) based in Asheville, North | | | | experience for my clients. One main issue with |
| Carolina. Her practice of 10 years is located on Elk | | | | massage creams is that one person's skin may |
| Mountain in North Asheville, and she specializes in | | | | react very differently than another person's skin. I |
| deep tissue massage work. Davis keeps a supply | | | | am careful to select a cream when I know it will |
| of different massage oils, lotions, and creams at | | | | work well for that particular individual and their |
| her practice for different clients, various types of | | | | skin type. |
| massage, and deep tissue techniques. | | | | Another cream I like is an all-purpose cream I use |
| Why do massage therapists choose to use | | | | in a variety of massage situations: Soothing Touch |
| massage oil, rather than massage creams and | | | | Versa Cream. It's parabin free and for a simple |
| lotions? | | | | general massage (as opposed to major deep |
| The first issue of choice is the preference of the | | | | tissue) this cream is nice for going a little deeper. |
| client. Some people actually prefer lotions because | | | | It is slippery enough that I don't get stuck. It |
| they don't make the body feel greasy. I tend to | | | | allows for a glide that gives more fluidity. When I |
| choose oil more often. When I want to do deeper | | | | want to I can go deeper with the Soothing Touch |
| work, oils work better for me. When I do deep | | | | massage cream. |
| tissue massage, I use less oil, because I can use | | | | What types of massage techniques would be |
| more grip and get down into deeper layers of | | | | improved with the use a massage lotion? |
| tissue. | | | | Massage lotions are a great tool for use in deep |
| How do you decide upon how much massage oil | | | | tissue massage. Interestingly enough, some of the |
| to use? | | | | lotions are better than the creams. They tend to |
| It doesn't matter if it's massage oil, lotion, or | | | | be absorbed more easily and are less slippery |
| cream. The quantity of the substance you use | | | | than creams. When the lotion is absorbed it leaves |
| has an impact. If I'm performing a Swedish, rather | | | | a little more grab for deeper massage work. So, |
| than a deep tissue massage, I use plenty of | | | | many massage therapists will opt for a good |
| massage oil, and I'm generous with it. Lots of | | | | lotion over a cream for deep tissue work, if they |
| massage oil helps with the long, sleek, even | | | | do not use oil for this. |
| strokes. | | | | Are there any other types of massage oils, |
| What about massage creams? When is it | | | | lotions, or creams you incorporate into your |
| necessary to use them? | | | | therapeutic, sports, or relaxation massages? |
| Often I will use a massage cream on a client who | | | | I do prefer to use special skin products just for |
| has had an injury or muscle spasms. Creams | | | | feet when I work on a client's feet. Usually natural |
| contain ingredients that are particularly stimulating | | | | and organic skincare products are made to work |
| for an area of healing. There are some fantastic | | | | well on the body, but it takes a specially made |
| massage creams. | | | | cream to work well on the feet. I tend to choose |
| What special massage creams facilitate the relief | | | | foot cream with a peppermint or tea tree oil |
| of muscle pain or spasms? | | | | scent. Tea tree oil is good for fungus. I look for a |
| Banner Therapy has a Therapeutic Herbal Muscle | | | | product that not only works well for massaging |
| Calm cream that is part of their organic skincare | | | | feet, it softens the feet and feels stimulating and |
| products. This is a muscle mending lotion with | | | | refreshing. |
| essential oils and Capsicum, which is the | | | | What's the best approach for a massage |
| heat-producing ingredient. In terms of really | | | | therapist to take when considering which massage |
| getting down into deep muscle and stimulating | | | | oil, lotion, or cream is best? |
| healing the Therapeutic Herbal Muscle Cream is | | | | I suggest you try new things, and see what |
| pretty potent. | | | | works best for you and your client base. It's very |
| What about other types of creams can you use | | | | good to have some diversity in massage oils, |
| in massage therapy? | | | | lotions, and creams on hand for use on different |
| I use some of the new creams. They have | | | | areas of the body and for various massage |
| different textures, and I find they work well. | | | | techniques. |