About

Why I became a Massage Therapist

As I was taking a walk along one of my favorite beaches on the Cape many years ago, pondering what I wanted to be when I grow up. You see, I was already a grown up and I was entering into another phase of my life. The kids were all grown and with families of their own and I wanted to do something different. I had been in sales but I was finding it that wasn’t fulfilling anymore. I had seen an add advertising a short introductory class for massage. It was for those who wanted to know how to give their family member a massage. So talked it over with my husband and we decided it might be something to explore. So here goes. Well let me tell you, it was the beginning of my new career. That was almost 20 years ago. I fell in love with it then and I still love it now. I realized we all need to restore, reclaim and rejuvenate our body on a regular basis if we want to stay healthy and vital.

Using Nature as an Example

Just as nature or the ocean is in a state of constant flux, why do we think we are any different? Our bodies are stressed, injured, hurting, or diagnosed with an illness. Now, as we get older we just don’t bounce back the way we did when we were kids.

My husband and I often say to each other “Gees, my mind is willing but my body isn’t,” I’m sure many of you can relate. That is why I got into massage therapy as a conduit for those individuals who are seeking greater health and balance in a very neurotic world and why I decided to specialize in Oncology Massage Therapy.

I’ve worked in the massage industry now for almost 20 years. Recently, I’ve added Oncology Massage Therapy as one of my specialties. Oncology Massage Therapy is the adaptation of massage techniques to safely nurture the body for someone affected by cancer or its treatments.

Helene Illston MT,OMT

In my free time (when I find it) I love riding my bike along our beautiful Cape Rail Trails and through local neighborhoods just to enjoy the splendor of colors that paint our yards. I am also a retired competitive rower, I’ll leave that to the younger women but who knows maybe I just might get into it again. Another favorite pastime is sewing. I’ve made most of my own clothes and for others and my family. Probably the most challenging piece I made was my daughter’s wedding dress and all the pearl beading that was hand sewn. Moving into the future I’m looking forward to teaching new massage students in their future professional careers. The future is here. I’m on the down side of teaching my very first class of massage students. They are all doing really well and will make great massage therapists and I’m so proud of each of them. I feel like a mother watching her children becoming successful.

“An inspiring quote about your vision”

Your Name

Our Philosophy

We are dedicated to helping you feel your best physically, mentally, and emotionally.

At Mid Cape restorative Massage Therapy, we believe in the healing power of touch. Our philosophy is centered around providing a safe and comfortable environment where our clients can relax and rejuvenate their body and mind through massage therapy.

Your Body, Your Needs

It has been established that massage therapy has been used across the centuries as a natural healing medicine, , it is becoming recognized as a complementary treatment to enhancing muscle tone, improving range of motion; and in the reduction of inflammation, joint swelling and decreased pain.

We provide targeted treatment tailored to your needs. From gentle relaxation massage to destress to advanced therapeutic techniques to relieve muscular discomfort and restore mobility.

Whether you are on relaxing vacation, the week-end warrior, the athlete, desk jockey, a hard working tradesman or woman, or recovering from surgery or coping with cancer massage will improve your body, mind and soul.

Allow Mid Cape Restorative Massage Therapy to melt any stress, anxiety, or muscular pain away.

With over twenty-six years of experience in several modalities, my goal is to work with you to meet your body’s needs.

My goal is to help you feel your best both in body and mind.

Massage Therapy is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. As a form of therapy, massage can be applied to specific parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to aid in healing injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension. I incorporate many modalities in each massage, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial, and Trigger Point Therapy.

Massage therapy modalities are as diverse in nature as leaves on a tree; and subsequently, quite effective in helping to naturally heal common and chronic health conditions. I would like to discuss some of the more common massage therapy modalities, specific strokes and general health benefits.

Swedish massage is a classic massage and the most widely used type of massage in the United States and is often referred to as the relaxation massage. With the use of organic oil to provide a system of long gliding strokes with firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, ease muscle tension and create other health benefits. Other techniques can be applied on the outer layers of muscles to improve circulation, ease pain and tension, improve flexibility and to allow you to slip into a calm state of relaxation.

Deep muscle therapy is performed by a qualified deep muscle massage therapist in order to assist free myofascial circumscriptions within the body. The theory behind this sort of massage is that when chronic knots (also referred to as adhesions) exist within the deep muscle tissues, the body’s natural balance is thrown out of wack Deep tissue massage releases chronic patterns of muscular tension and is usually on a specific problem area. This massage is done with greater pressure and effects deeper layers of the muscle than a Swedish/relaxation massage. (Chronic patterns can be caused by long periods of sitting at a computer, constant lifting, carrying large bags or any other repetitive action we do.)

Trigger point therapy uses specific points of pressure then stretching to relieve the irritated, painful “knots” in a muscle. Pressure is produced using fingertips, knuckles or elbow directly on the trigger point, followed by stretching the area.

By loosening the muscle tissues and removing toxins, deep tissue massages allow blood and oxygen to circulate correctly. Because many toxins are released in a deep tissue massage, it is very important to consume a lot of water after a deep tissue session. The water helps to eliminate the released toxins from the body.