Partner Spotlight: Megan Gurney

This blog is part of a series that will introduce you to Northeast Indiana health and wellness practitioners. This time, get to know the one and only Megan Gurney of Sigh of Relief. Full disclosure: I’m a client and love her approach and energy!

1) What inspired you to get into wellness?

I was diagnosed with a sensory issue and fibromyalgia in 2015. Basically, my skin hurt, noise hurt, seeing things move hurt… I was getting more and more massage because skin-to-skin contact didn’t hurt, there were no loud or sudden noises, the lights were dim, etc. It was one of the few places I felt pretty OK. After a particular session, I had an epiphany: maybe I should be having people pay to be with me in the room instead of paying to be in the room! I have my symptoms pretty well under control now, but giving massage is still therapeutic for me. So a big thanks to all my clients for helping me!

2) Who’s your ideal or typical client?

A partner! The best, most effective sessions are when clients are willing to communicate with me about their goals for the session and what they're experiencing on the table. It can be hard to speak up on the table, so I really appreciate the feedback. I’m never offended because someone wants a change in pressure, they don’t care for a new technique, or there’s referral pain when I touch a particular spot. Instead, I’ll be able to fine-tune the work and that’s going to make me really happy.

In terms of the work, I really enjoy either an acute problem that I can help resolve or becoming a regular part of someone’s pain management plan. Acute issues are very engaging – I may need to research what’s going on, get creative with positioning and combining techniques – it’s amazing to see someone turn their head or bend their knee without pain, sometimes for the first time in weeks. Some problems don’t have a solution. Massage can not fix arthritis or fibromyalgia, for example, but it can help. Building a relationship with someone over the long term, performing massage and somatic education to lower pain levels, and teaching self-care practices that can help them do the things they want to do is extremely rewarding.

3) What’s a common myth or misperception about massage you’d like to debunk?

I hate the idea of ‘No pain, no gain.’ Listen, massage is not a competition. There’s no ‘crying uncle’ in massage. A good therapeutic massage meets you where you are on a given day. Research shows anything over a 7 on a pain scale of 1-10 is no longer therapeutic. It’s just pain. Generally, I aim for a 5 and under, but it’s set by the client’s own perception of their body. I’m not judging anybody based on how much pressure they can take. I’m more interested in getting them off the table feeling awesome, not like they were hit by a truck.

4) How would you describe your motto or philosophy around massage?

I want people to feel comfortable in their bodies. Or at least as comfortable as they possibly can be. Sessions are always customized to each client for maximum comfort.

I have a few flying pigs around the office as my unofficial mascot, because sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to ever feel better. When pigs fly, as the saying goes. Well, I try to make the impossible happen, at least for the time people are in my office.

5) What do you like to do for fun?

Play Minecraft! I have been playing in the same survival world for about 4 years now. I also read a lot of webtoons and online novels. When I cook I like to make the food look pretty.

6) How can someone hire you?

Book me online here or call/text me at 260-267-6425. I do work on special populations such as minors (0-18yr) and pregnant women (including first trimester). Please feel free to call or text me if you have any questions about whether massage may be able to help you. Sigh of Relief is also a transgender safe space.

7) What’s a random fact about you?

I have a rabbit named Lawnmower. She is our queen and all her whims must be catered to. Luckily, she only demands chew toys and a daily massage.

Make your comeback

Life happens. Sometimes we’re pulled in different directions and have to take a break from our workout routine for whatever reason. We all have peaks and valleys in fitness (and life — trust me. It doesn’t matter how long you’re out of the game   — what matters is you recommit. I am writing with some advice to do just that.

Come up with a plan and stick to it. If it’s been a while since you’ve worked out, you may need some extra accountability. That could mean putting workouts on your calendar, electronic or otherwise. You might even consider asking friends and family to check in on your progress.

Go slow and steady. A strenuous workout after a period of being sedentary can be a shock to your system. When coming back, take care to be conscientious about your level of exertion and the length of the sessions. You don’t want to overdo it, get injured and then get discouraged. On that note, be sure you’re stretching after a workout and building in time in your routine for recovery. Foam rolling, hot baths, chiropractic, massage are all great ways to address and prevent aches and pains. 

Tune in. Listen to your body. Maybe a high-intensity cardio or strength training workout isn’t what you need right now. Maybe you need a restorative yoga class instead. Movement is movement!

Track progress. How will you know if you’re getting back to your baseline? Apps can help you record your workouts so you can compare and contrast data and feel a sense of accomplishment.. As the saying goes, you can’t control what you can’t measure. 

Celebrate small victories. How you define wins will be up to you, but don’t forget to stop and acknowledge the work you’ve put in. You rock!

Remember, sometimes the comeback is greater than the setback!

Staying balanced during COVID-19

We live in uncertain times right now, with anxiety concerning COVID-19 running high. It can be easy to feel like throwing in the towel and abandon our routines. After all, it’s hard to plan when we don’t know what tomorrow might bring. When I start to feel on edge, here are a few activities I turn to:

1. Embrace gratitude. Not only does it feel good emotionally to reflect on the good things, it can boost our immune system.  Whether it’s just setting aside a few minutes to think about all the positive things in your life or in the world or sitting down to engage a formal journaling practice, there’s a lot to gain from this exercise.

2. Move. Right now your fitness routine is probably on hiatus, or at  the very least it’s been modified. That’s OK! I went for a hike yesterday and although it was gloomy, it felt amazing to get some fresh air. You can also find free home workouts on YouTube. From barre to yoga, it’s all there! Here are some other tips from ACE Fitness on getting the most from a home workout. 

3. Rest: Life is about yin and yang. Sometimes it’s the occasion to be active and sometimes it’s appropriate to rest. I know I've slept more in the last week or so because all my social engagements have been cancelled or postponed. If you’re having trouble in this area, I highly recommend this blog.

4. Explore. Is there a home-based hobby you’ve been meaning to try or take to the next level? I started Rosetta Stone a few months ago to learn Italian and plan to pick up the pace there. Maybe baking? Reading?

5. Nurture. It’s especially critical that you maintain a healthy, balanced diet right now. While I can't give specific advice, I can tell you that fruits and vegetables are nutrient rich and can boost immunity. Reset the urge to eat a lot of processed foods.

6. Check in. In-personal interaction might be on hold, but phone calls, texts, video chat, and letters are not banned. Stay in touch with friends and family, especially those without a strong support network. 

7. Lend a hand. So many nonprofit organizations are in need of donations right now. If you can spare some money, I highly recommend giving what you can. I know the American Red Cross is experiencing a blood supply shortage, so you might consider donating in that capacity.

Stay healthy and balanced, friends! We’re in this together.