Massage – Swedish Massage – Deep Tissue – Sports Massage – and more!
Find serenity and pain relief through our massage services.
Lacey Costa - Licensed Massage Therapist
Lacey Costa, a dedicated massage therapist, graduated from the California Holistic Institute in June 2013. She began her career as an independent contractor at a local salon for two years before gaining diverse experience at a wellness center, various salons, and the prestigious Dolphin Bay Spa & Resort for four years. Following the pandemic, Lacey established her private practice as a mobile massage therapist, bringing personalized, therapeutic care directly to clients’ homes.
Specializing in deep tissue, stretching, aromatherapy, prenatal and infant massage, and hot stone therapy, Lacey tailors each session to her clients’ needs. She recently incorporated cupping into her practice, a modality that has yielded remarkable benefits for both her clients and herself.
A passionate educator, Lacey began teaching at the California Holistic Institute two years ago, where she instructs the Massage Practitioner course, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, and serves as the student clinic internship supervisor. Her vibrant, positive teaching style inspires students to embrace bodywork with confidence and enthusiasm.
Lacey’s commitment to nurturing others’ well-being shines through in every interaction, radiating warmth and positivity like a ray of sunshine. In her free time, she cherishes moments with her twin sister, boyfriend, baby niece, and beloved animals. An avid hiker, traveler, and food enthusiast, Lacey is a self-proclaimed “mermaid at heart,” always seeking opportunities to swim and explore. She dreams of attending a weekend retreat at Esalen in Big Sur to deepen her practice and personal growth.
Swedish Massage
A relaxing and invigorating massage that is typically associated with lighter pressure. It enhances nerves, muscles, glands, circulation, and stimulates the skin. It reduces both physical and mental stress and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. Can be used to promote general well-being while boosting the immune system.
Deep Tissue
This type of massage targets chronic patterns of tension in the body at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia (connective tissue). Deep tissue massage uses similar movements and techniques compared to a Swedish massage, however, the pressure will generally be more intense. This is a very focused type of work gear towards releasing chronic tension and trigger points that are inhibiting deeper circulation and sometimes range of motion.
“Trigger Points” Explained
When a muscle knot or “trigger point” forms in the body, blood flow to that area is severely decreased, sometimes ceasing altogether. When the blood flow is diminished, oxygen and nutrients necessary for the muscle to work properly is also decreased, causing a buildup of lactic acid. Trigger points with an excess of lactic acid are sore and painful when pressure is applied. If trigger points continue to be ignored, consistent pain and aches will form in the body as more lactic acid and metabolic wastes (due to the lack of blood flow) is held inside the tissue. The pain is compounded when a tight muscle places pressure on a nerve or series of nerves causing numbness, tingling and other symptoms. Since nerves carry sensations throughout the body like a pulse, it is possible to feel these numbing sensations in areas of the body separate from the location of the trigger point. Trigger points initially develop from continued muscle tightness most commonly due to stress, overuse/repetitive motion, and accidents/injuries and a lack of stretching or relief from the cause.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is a form of muscle work that is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. Its purpose is to prepare the athlete for peak performance and relieve swelling. It promotes a greater increase in flexibility and is also used as a preventative measure for injuries.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialized form of manual therapy. Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure or rotational pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and
connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.
At Intuitive Acupuncture we empower our patients to heal themselves by providing effective and compassionate care that emphasizes patient education and holistic wellness.
