Level Up Your Massage: The Enhancements That'll Make You Wonder Why You Waited So Long
Look, I get it. You booked a massage, you're already treating yourself, and now I'm over here like "but wait, there's more!" with a menu of add-ons. I promise this isn't some infomercial situation. These enhancements exist because after years of working on Colorado bodies—bodies that hike, bike, ski, run, and occasionally think they're still 22—I've learned that sometimes we need a little extra something to get those stubborn muscles to actually let go.
Heated Scraping (aka the Ached Away Heated Scraper)
If you've heard of muscle scraping and thought "that sounds medieval," I hear you. But the heated scraping tool I use is like the luxury version—think of it as gua sha's hotter cousin who went to massage therapy school.
This heated instrument glides over your muscles, breaking up fascial adhesions and increasing blood flow to areas that are holding tension. The heat component means less discomfort during treatment, deeper release without aggressive pressure, and reduced bruising. Your muscles actually want to let go instead of bracing against cold metal.
I use this on chronically tight areas—IT bands that feel like steel cables, shoulders that live up by your ears, or those spots in your upper back that make you groan when I find them. It's particularly magic for runners, cyclists, and anyone who's discovered that foam rolling only goes so far.
Cupping: Static and Moving
Cupping works through negative pressure. And it’s pure magic. Instead of pushing down into your tissue, the cups create suction that lifts everything up. This reverses the direction of pressure your muscles usually experience, and your fascia basically says "oh, THIS is new" and releases in ways that traditional massage can't achieve.
Static cupping is when I place cups on specific trigger points or areas of congestion and let them hang out for 10-15 minutes. This is incredible for deep, stubborn knots and chronic tension patterns that need some serious convincing to change.
Moving cupping is when I apply oil and slide the cups across your muscles. Imagine the reverse of a deep tissue massage. This technique is phenomenal for releasing larger muscle groups quickly and breaking up fascial restrictions along entire muscle chains.
Yes, cupping can leave marks that typically last 1-2 weeks. But here's the thing: those marks aren't really bruises; they're stagnant blood and metabolic waste being drawn to the surface so your body can clear it out. Not damage, but debris removal. And honestly? Most of my clients wear them like badges of honor.
CBD Oil
I use high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil for clients dealing with localized inflammation, nerve pain or sensitivity, muscle spasms that won't quit, or areas that are just angry (you know the ones). Or for those who want their muscles to feel a little ~high~.
CBD works through your endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and pain signals without any psychoactive effects. When applied topically during massage, it absorbs directly into the tissue we're working on, providing targeted relief that can last well beyond your session.
I've watched CBD oil turn a painful, tense massage into a "wait, how are you getting that deep and it doesn't hurt?" massage. It's particularly brilliant for anyone with chronic conditions, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or that one spot that always makes you flinch.
Magnesium Oil
Here's a fun fact: most people are magnesium deficient, and your muscles really notice. Magnesium is responsible for muscle relaxation, nerve function, and basically convincing your body that it's okay to chill out.
Magnesium oil absorbs trans-dermally, straight through your skin into your muscles. When I apply it during your massage, you're getting immediate muscle relaxation support, cramp prevention (especially great for athletes), better post-massage recovery, and improved sleep quality.
I especially love using magnesium oil on clients who are training for races, dealing with restless legs, or have that full-body tension that suggests their nervous system hasn't downshifted in months.
The Bottom Line
These enhancements aren't about making your massage fancier—they're about making it more effective. Sometimes we need more than just good hands and the right pressure. We need tools and techniques that address what's actually happening in your tissue, whether that's fascial adhesions, inflammation, mineral deficiency, or muscles that have forgotten what "relaxed" feels like.
And if every one of these enhancements sound great to you, you might want to go for my new offering, the Fully Integrated massage. You guessed it, we do heated scraping, cupping, and the option for CBD or magnesium in this super charged therapeutic session.
Your Colorado adventures deserve a body that can keep up. Let's give it the support it needs.
Ready to try one or all enhancements in your next session? Just let me know when you book, and we'll customize your treatment to target exactly what your body needs.
