SHINING ON
Fascia: The Hidden Web Connecting Your Body
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a thin but strong layer of connective tissue that runs throughout your body. Picture it like a 3D web that wraps around your muscles, bones, nerves, and organs—keeping everything supported and connected. When fascia is healthy, it’s smooth and flexible, allowing your body to move with ease. But when it becomes tight, restricted, or dehydrated, it can cause stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion.
Fascia and Massage Therapy
Stress, injury, or even too much time at a desk can cause fascia to tighten or “stick.” Massage therapy helps release these restrictions by warming, stretching, and applying gentle pressure to the tissue. This not only eases tension in the muscles but also improves circulation, helping nutrients and oxygen flow where your body needs them most.
If you have questions about fascia or want to experience the benefits for yourself, our team is here to help.
Give us a call or visit our website to schedule your next massage—we’d love to support you on your journey.
Phone #- 910-833-1044
How Our Therapists Work with Fascia
Because fascia surrounds and connects everything in the body, it requires skill and sensitivity to treat effectively. Our therapists are trained to recognize when tension stems from fascia and know how to encourage it to release. Each session is tailored to your body’s unique needs—whether that’s easing chronic tension, supporting recovery, or simply helping you move and feel better.
Fascia Body Map
Benefits of Releasing Fascia
When fascia is free and hydrated, the whole body feels the difference:
Better flexibility & mobility – easier, freer movement.
Reduced pain & tension – especially in stubborn spots stretching can’t reach.
Improved posture – release helps the body realign naturally.
Faster recovery – supports healing after activity or injury.
Deep relaxation – fascia is full of nerve endings, so release feels profoundly relieving.
The Power of Aromatherapy Naps: Recharge After Your Massage
Why Add an Aromatherapy Nap to Your Massage?
Think of it as the finishing touch. Your massage relaxes your muscles and releases tension, and the nap gives your body and mind the chance to integrate those benefits. With aromatherapy woven in, you’ll leave not only more relaxed, but also recharged, balanced, and ready to take on the rest of your day.
Popular Essential Oils We Use
Lavender – Melt away stress and drift into a calmer state of mind. Lavender helps you feel peaceful, balanced, and ready for deep rest.
Eucalyptus – Breathe easier and feel refreshed. Its crisp scent clears the head, awakens the senses, and leaves you energized.
Peppermint – A cool, uplifting boost for body and mind. Peppermint sharpens focus, eases tension, and gives you a refreshing lift.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural plant extracts—known as essential oils—to support overall well-being. Essential oils are highly concentrated compounds distilled from flowers, leaves, bark, or roots. For centuries, they’ve been used to promote relaxation, boost energy, ease stress, and even support better sleep.
When you breathe in an essential oil, the aroma connects directly with the part of your brain that influences feelings, memories, and mood. That’s why just the right scent can instantly bring a sense of calm or give you a refreshing lift.
Add it to your massage today for just $10!
If you’d like bring your own oils to add!
Is Your Purse Causing You Pain?
is your bag causing you pain?
learn how massage can help
Carrying a bag on the shoulder causes contraction and overuse of the muscles, usually in the trapezius. The depression of the opposite shoulder causes curvature in the mid spine. Along with the spinal misalignment, the consistent contraction causes a major distortion in ones posture.
Massage therapy helps relax the overworked muscles and by breaking up the knots, realigning, muscularly, the shoulders, neck and back.
In between massage sessions, here are somethings one can do to decrease the tension:
clean out your bag regularly to decrease the weight
ditch the bag from time to time
choose a bag with two straps, like a bookbag, to evenly distribute the weight.
switch to a messenger bag or a bag with wider straps
alternate shoulders
Call Shine On Massage to re-align that posture!
910.508.9383
Valentine's Day Specials! Deals So Sweet, You'll Love Them!
There’s only one week away from Valentines Day!
Do you have a special gift for your loved one yet?
Here are some deals that are so sweet, you’ll <3 them!
60 min. Shine On Massage
3 for $180
90 min. Shine On Massage
3 for $270
60 min. Couples Massage
3 for $390
90 min. Couples Massage
3 for $550
Book your massage in advance and receive complimentary
bubbly, roses & sweets
2/12 - 2/16
Just a Reminder - Why Shine On is the Best!
We just waned to give a friendly reminder of what we include every time anyone books a massage with us
Hot Stones
They are always provided on the back & they help loosen muscles.
Hot Towels
Given on back and feet & it elevates relaxation with the warmth.
Aromatherapy
The diffuser is always running & whiffs of peppermint are provided throughout.
Cupping
Offered upon request & is beneficial due to a vacuum effect, drawing toxins out.
Be Your Best YOU With Massage
New Year - New You
There is always something promising about the freshness of another January. It is the New Year and things feel good. We want to encourage the feeling of goodness and abundance with a reminder of just how wonderful massage is for you and for everyone.
Here is some advice from us:
Massage helps reduce the appearance of cellulite
Lymphatic flow allows the body to flush toxins, decreasing chances of illness
Increased blood flow helps the muscles to be more pliable, increasing sense of well-being and decreasing chances of injury
Massage helps lower blood pressure (If your family stressed you out over the holidays)
It is also a natural release of serotonin and dopamine making massage an anti-depressant
This is how you can be your best you. Why wait when when you have the answer to becoming a vibrant, positive, and a flexible being.
Call us at 910.508.9383 or click the “Book an Appointment” tab above.
We love you all & Happy New Year!
Shine On
Need a Christmas Gift? No Worries, we got you!
Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season with Shine On Massage.
We have come up with a couple deals that will sure knock Santa’s Socks off.
Get two separate Couples Massage Sessions for 60 minutes for only $250. (Save $50)
Get (2) Shine On Massages for only $120. (Save $30)
The Deal lasts until Christmas Eve.
We can wax seal them and even mail them if you need. We can also overnight it.
Call 910.508.9383 or go to
https://squareup.com/gift/2JRKQXK84TVS9/order to buy an e-gift Card.
Happy Holidays!
Black Friday Deals!
Hello you lovely people!
We are super happy to be announcing our Black Friday Deals that will last from Monday, November 19th to Saturday, November 24th!
They make great gifts for not only your loved ones, but you too! Treat yo Self!
Muscle Tension Caused By Trapped Emotions
Do you ever wonder where you feel your feelings and why? Check out this blog to find out!
Muscle Tension Caused By Trapped Emotions
Emotions are often an overlooked element in overall muscle tension. Usually, stress is the main word used when describing ones tension but it is a general term. Below describes what and where it means to feel your feelings. Check it out!
1. Shoulder Tension = Burdens and Responsibilities
When we feel weighed down by the stress of life, we tend to accumulate these feelings within our shoulders. Ever heard the expression “carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders”? Shoulder tension seems to be intimately linked to social and emotional responsibilities, including unconsciously carrying the burden of other people’s pain. As such, many empaths, healers, and caretakers struggle with chronic shoulder muscle tension.
2. Neck Tension = Fear and Repressed Self-Expression
Neck tension is often connected to throat chakra issues such as the inability to communicate clearly or be your authentic self around others. Fear and anxiety are also frequently stored in this area, particularly as a physical response to danger (as the neck is a vulnerable area) or strange environments. Neck muscle tension is also related to trust issues.
3. Upper Back = Grief, Sorrow, and Sadness
Unexpressed and unreleased sadness tends to build up within the upper back region. As this area is close to the heart, it is also where emotions connected to heartbreak and loss are stored. For instance, if you carry around grief regarding a loved one or your family at large, you will likely feel tense in this area.
4. Middle Back = Insecurity and Powerlessness
Healing traditions such as reflexology link middle back pain to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and insecurity. If you’re feeling unsupported by other people or life, you probably carry tension here.
5. Lower Back = Guilt, Shame, and Unworthiness
Lower back issues often correlate with feelings of low self-worth and lack of self-acceptance. Feelings such as guilt, shame, and even sexual inadequacy or trauma can be stored here as well.
6. Stomach = Inability to Process Emotions
The expression “I can’t stomach it” appropriately describes stomach muscle tension. If your stomach feels stiff or sore, you might struggle to process both negative (and even positive) emotions.
7. Inner Thighs = Fear of Vulnerability
Are you nervous and untrusting around other people? If you struggle with social anxiety, you might also have inner thigh pain. Because our legs are biologically programmed to run when we first spot danger, fear towards others is often stored here.
8. Outer Thighs = Frustration and Impatience
How fast do you live life? The more quickly and mindlessly you live, the more likely you have frustrated and impatient energy stored in your outer thigh muscles. Our jobs and personal lives can also contribute greatly to muscle tension in this area.
9. Buttocks = Anger and Rage
How often do you have to deal with people who are a “pain in the bum”? Anger and suppressed rage are often stored in the buttocks. Pay attention next time you feel your head boil: is your but tensing up as well?
Now since you have that knowledge, here is how to heal and release those trapped emotions:
Allow yourself to “feel it to heal it.” One of the easiest ways to let go of muscle tension is to actively feel and let go of emotions when they come. Of course, this is not always possible, so at the end of every day, make sure you allow yourself the space to feel the emotions you’ve had through the day. Feeling these emotions might involve crying, punching or screaming into a pillow, or any other form of catharsis.
Adopt an attitude of non-judgement. When we judge our emotions as something “bad” or “wrong,” we actually deepen our suffering and solidify the tension within our muscles. Instead, simply realize that an emotion is an emotion. It doesn’t need to mean anything about you unless you let it.
Be gentle with yourself. Muscle tension tends to add to our negative inner voices which cause us even more tension. To break this cycle of the body feeding the mind and the mind feeding the body, be kind towards yourself. Treat yourself as you would a child or best friend. This practice is a simple but profound way to relax.
Stretch your muscles. Do simple stretches or try yoga to relax your muscles. Even just five minutes a day is beneficial.
Breathe deeply. Shallow breathing causes a restriction in air, blood flow, toxin removal, and increased anxiety. Deep breathing stimulates the vagus nerve which calms the mind.
Get a massage. Book with us at Shine On. Online booking is available or call us at (910)508-9383. Complementary Hot Towels, Hot Stones, and Aromatherapy with every session,
Meditate. Meditation is a great way to become more present and conscious of muscle tension as it arises.
Sources:
https://lonerwolf.com/muscle-tension/
Shine On & Shining On
We are hoping to return to Wilmington by Tuesday since I-40 has been closed until Monday.
There has been a lot of damage in Wilmington - Wrightsville Beach is under 2 feet of water, there are multiple trees down and the power is still out.
We will continue to keep everyone posted.
Shine On!