​Birds are chirping, Peepers are peeping, a few buzzing of bees already and an “a-choo.” Ahh, the sounds of spring.
Yellow daffodils, purple crocus, jeweled tulips, red eyes. Ahh, the colors of spring.
Hyacinths, fresh grass, fragrant blooms. Ahh, the scents of spring… wait, if you are like me, about three sniffs in and I can’t smell a thing.
 
It’s my favorite season of the year! Spring is finally here! I love the smells and the growth and the way nature comes alive. But, with all those wonderful things, I am one of many who suffer, and I mean suffer, with seasonal allergies. Without medication, I can’t smell a thing. And if you can’t smell, you can’t taste. And the itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, running nose… just like the commercials say, I am miserable.
 
Right, so what is there to appreciate about spring? I love to see the animals and their offspring like the CW ducks and their soon to be ducklings in our back pond. All the blooms warming up the landscape after the cold winter. The way the greenscape comes to life. I love the warm sunshine on my face and how it comforts me. To me, the newness represents hope. Every year, every spring, there is hope for a new beginning - new shoots, new blooms, new life, new growth.
 
How do I cope with seasonal allergies? How do I appreciate the wonder and splendor of spring’s renewal? Yes, medication. I have tried most everything and on my worst days, I still need some help. But, there are other alternatives I have discovered and use including our salt room. The negative ions help reduce my inflammation and the salt in the air that I breathe helps open my sinuses and airways. (Psst… we have a seasonal allergy salt room special right now. See our page for details.) CBD sublingual drops help my inflammation and I give local honey a try. Also, I have switched many of my personal care products to natural options which has helped reduce my sensitivities.
 
So my challenge this month is to get out there and find what part of spring inspires you. And if allergies are holding you back, what are you doing to find a way to enjoy this most amazing season ?

Stacy Ford, ATC, LMT is an Athletic Trainer, Licensed Massage Therapist and Co-founder of Complete Wellness, LLC.  She is available for Therapeutic Massage appointments Monday - Friday.  To Schedule Text/Call 267-509-7717

Oooo. Ahhhh. A hot stone massage automatically conjures the concept of relaxation. Imagine the soothing warmth of the stones, the glide of those warm stones over tense muscles, the comfort of the heat seeping into the body allowing all things stress to melt away.
 
Having a skilled massage therapist can take your massage to the next level with hot stones adding the benefits of heat and weight. By placing hot stones over tension areas, the heat begins the relaxation process by seeping into the muscles allowing the therapist to use less pressure to dissipate those trigger points. Although the stones are not heavy, the added weight brings comfort and awareness to body areas. Benefits have been touted as better sleep, reduced tension and anxiety and increased circulation.
 
New to hot stone? Wondering what to expect?
A hot stone massage is exactly that – the use of various sized smooth, stones to perform the massage. Basalt is the stone of choice, a volcanic rock that retains heat well. Most hot stone massages begin with the placement of the heated stones on specific areas of the body. They can be placed on the face, arms, chest, palms of hands, arches of feet, legs, and along the spine.
 
As in a traditional Swedish massage where the focus is long strokes, kneading of muscles and firm pressures over tense areas, the therapist will use similar techniques alternating using stones and their hands.
 
Everyone has different sensitivity and tolerance levels. It is very important to communicate with the massage therapist if the stone temperature is too warm and if the pressure is a good level for you. Comfort and relaxation is the intention.
 
In need of some deep relaxation.  A time to totally shut off your mind and let your body release the stress it holds.  It is time for you to schedule a hot stone massage today. You deserve it.
 
 
Mindy & Lori provide Hot Stone Massage at Complete Wellness
Appointments are available Monday – Saturday.
Text/Call 267-509-7717 to schedule your appointment.

“A relaxing experience that can also prevent illness.“


I recently came across this quote referring to reflexology. “A relaxing experience that can also prevent illness.“
I really wish I knew who to attribute it to, but I do not. But I share it with the deepest gratitude.

Reading this made me think two thoughts…

1. “Eat your veggies first“ popped into my head. That implies that you don’t like your veggies. That you want to eat them first and get them out of the way. Implying that we are not necessarily going to enjoy the things that are good for us. 

I have happily discovered that many things we can do that are good for us, are truly enjoyable experiences.

2. The words “prevent illness“, I feel like it sounds like such a simple, maybe not as important as it is statement. Reflexology, as a holistic modality, cannot diagnose, cure, prescribe or treat a specific illness. However, Prevention - yup - that it can do. 

Doesn’t that seem like an even more powerful tool? How much better would it be to prevent the things you could rather than have to go about diagnosing them, curing them or prescribing something for them? An added perk for reflexology, it’s reparative.  Your reflexologist can’t label what you have, but they can inspire your body into doing some amazing repairative healing work.

Conclusion of two thoughts…

The Magic of Reflexology

• Prevent it
• Repair it
• Relax and enjoy the experience

*Apologies. Would love to give credit for the quote above. Author of the quote above is unknown. 

Tracy McGovern is co-owner of Complete Wellness Quakertown, llc, a Nationally Board Certified Reflexology Practitioner and instructor.  She has been a practicing Reflexologist for 20 years.  
Appointments with Tracy are available Monday - Friday.  To schedule text/call 267-509-7717

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If it feels like just last week that you were packing up for a last minute day trip to the shore, that’s because it probably was! The suddenness of red and gold and brown where mere days ago there was only green seems to have caught even nature by surprise, as the temperature scrambles to catch up to the expected crispness of the season.

But since Autumn is all about letting go, we’re thinking that makes sense. The trees have to let go of the idea that flourishing green lasts forever. Summer has to loosen its grasp, reining in its balmy days so swirling winds and lengthening shadows can come out to play. And we have to let go of… so much.

It would be easier if all we had to release was our attachment to long, bright days and warm starlit nights, but life gives us far more to consider. It also gives us the best kind of teacher--one who instructs by example. Nature shows us the grace of letting what is no longer ours find its way free, on a different current. She shows us that the parting can be graceful, even beautiful. And she shows us that when, like her trees, we are firmly planted, the places that “lost” don’t stay bare for long.

This October, we invite you to join us in an exploration of what it means to let go. What is no longer serving you that can be released? What does letting go look like? What does it open the door to? Let’s find out together!

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