Nuance Bodywork

Category: Uncategorized

  • Spring 2026 updates

    Created on: 04/30/26

    Last updated on: 04/30/26

    My themes of 2025: My regulars know I was dealing with chronic fatigue and brain fog during 2025, trying the Chinese Medicine route, and if unsuccessful was going to try Western big pharma medication(s) for ADHD in 2026 to see if it would help my productivity overall and with writing my ebook.

    Leaky gut breakthrough: I actually got more results from doing a leaky gut repair protocol called the 5Rs, than from all the canon and custom TCM formulas I tried. I still find TCM interesting and useful, however it’s now a backburner interest where I’ll go on ChatGPT to research and try different formulas once in a while. Later on I might try making my own custom formulas with single herbs. TCM is very complicated just like the human body. I wanted it to get me to 100%, but after 8 months I just wasn’t getting the level of results I needed to keep investing that much. I still like Free & Easy Wanderer as needed, if I need help with negative emotions from social conflicts.

    NB-WotA office now closed: I heard about an affordable room for rent in a threading salon and opened an office location there 03/05/26-04/30/26. However, I ran into some issues (unable to reverify my Google Business Profile, limited hours of the shopping mall, limited staffed hours of the salon, AC/temperature, no onsite laundry or large sink, long distance from parking lot to office, foot traffic, and demographics). Due to cashflow and ADHD lol, the timing wasn’t right so I’m focused on mobile massage again and trying out a spa collective called Majestic Massage on Blanco Rd later in May.

    Former tools-based biz model: In the future I might try opening the tools-based, many addons, seasonal packages, low prices, high-volume business model again. However, I’d probably need to hire a marketing pro to help me with my promo pictures, videos, biz socials, SEO, ads, and use my sales/CRM experience to promote myself at wellness businesses around town. So there’s that route or trying to open the 24/7 nonprofit employee-owned wellness centers, but we’ll see how long the ADHD stimulant medication works for me. I read on the adhd subreddit that I should set my expectations low like 3-6 months before it stops working from the body forming a tolerance. So no promises haha!

    New streamlined biz model: On 04/30/26 I drastically changed my business model, since I’m now mobile in San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos, Fredericksburg, and hotels, plus I can’t keep a lot of supplies at the MM spa collective. Hence I did away with my specific Travel Fees (0-60m $20-70), now the travel fee is built into the mobile prices and there’s a $20 discount for clients who live close to my homebase San Antonio 78217. My mobile rates are still less expensive than Zeel though, which charges 60m $169 and 90m $228 after the auto 18% gratuity. I also did away with my topical addons and tools aside from Silicone Cupping and Hot Stones which are now $24, since keeping them stocked, transported, and washed is a challenge. I have a lower mobile rate if I’m already onsite at a hotel, and you can see my other mobile discounts on my services page and MassageBook booking platform.

    Mobile hours 6a-9p Tue-Su: I’m trying out these early morning hours to accommodate businesspeople and early risers. I prefer 12 hours of advance notice before appointments, that way I can plan if I need to take a midday break or nap. When I’m in Austin I typically work 9a-12a since the mobile massage apps are busiest then; technically they open at 7a and 8a but I almost never see appt requests for then. You can click the “Request appointment” button on my MassageBook platform, or send me a text message 210-563-2110. Longer inquiries to nuancebodywork@gmail.com.

    Rochelle

  • Setting up a home spa studio

    This info is mostly for prospective clients who are interested in turning one of the rooms in their home into a mini spa. This is a good investment for people who purchase in-home/mobile massage services frequently. The info is also relevant for people interested in attending massage therapy school, current MT students, or recent MT graduates/licensees.

    • Massage therapy table
    • Linens
    • Full round or half round ankle bolster for massage therapy
    • Hot towel cabinet
    • Heated neck wrap
    • Hot stones warmer + basalt stones
    • Massage table warmer pad
    • Silicone cups
    • Oil, lotion, cream, gel
    • 8 oz plastic pump bottles for massage therapy
    • Pump bottle holster
    • Full spectrum cbd oil $70 4000mg by Lazarus Naturals
    • Silicone mini bowls for cream
    • Therapeutic grade essential oils
    • Theragun or Hypervolt percussion massage gun
    • Breast pillow for female clients
    • Multipurpose cleaning spray with cloths
    • Hand sanitizer for after the MT massages the client’s feet
    • Isopropyl alcohol spray bottle for feet if the MT provides ashiatsu or Thai (HEB)

    Purchasing equipment/supplies:

    Massage Table: If you want to buy a massage table I recommend the Earthlite Harmony DX at $347.65, I don’t know what the shipping fee is (earthlite.com). It’s also for sale on Amazon.com. It’s sturdy, well made, durable, functional, has comfortable upholstery, and is priced below other massage tables of similar quality.

    Linens: The facerest covers are available on Amazon in cotton, flannel, or microfiber. Twin sheet sets and twin blankets can be found for $20 each at discount home goods stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Burlington, Ross Dress For Less, or Tuesday Morning.

    Heat Therapy: If you want a hot towel cabinet for hot steam towels this one has good reviews on Amazon: “ROMECH 23L Hot Towel Warmer Cabinet, Professional Towel Heater with LED Temperature Display Setting, Extra Large Capacity Towel Warmers for Spa Massage Salon Home” for $109.99.

    For the hot towels I would recommend thick cotton hand towels, not thin microfiber towels (they don’t absorb water well and get cold too quickly). I believe Costco Wholesale sells some, otherwise you can find them at those stores TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Burlington, Ross Dress For Less, or Tuesday Morning.

    Cotton bath towels are good to have for a roll under the clavicle while face down, or for adding foot/calf or back exfoliation/mud/body butter treatments.

    A heated neck wrap is a nice addition too, my favorite one is by Sposh: rather pricy on Amazon at $47.90.

    If you like hot stones I recommend this warmer: “Therapist’s Choice Portable Hot Stone Warmer with 12 Stones for Massage Therapy” for $79.99. It comes with river stones of a certain height that will allow the device to shut fully. However, basalt stones hold heat longer: “SOUJAP 22 Pack 3.15 Inch Basalt Massage Stones, Large Massage Hot Round Stones, Black Essential Basalt Rocks for Massage Therapy, Relaxation, Home Spa” for $35.99. The stones in this set measure 0.7in x 3.14in, so I’m pretty sure the warmer would be able to shut fully. The tricky part with buying hot stones is that really small ones aren’t as useful, only as toe stones (between the toes). You want them to be a decent diameter so they feel better down the back.

    If you want a massage table warmer this one is good: “Massage Table Warmer Heating Pad Professional SPA Massage Bed Warmer with Timer, 9 Heat Settings, Overheat Protection for Massage Bed & Spa, Thickened & Soft Fleece, 30″ x 71″ by Becalin” for $69.99. It has useful settings like 9 temperature options and 4 timer options up to 12h. The Earthlite table warmer I have isn’t as good because it automatically shuts off after 99 minutes so that gets annoying (it often shuts off partway through sessions).

    Cupping Therapy: I like using these “Cupping Warehouse Beginner Supreme 6 Intermediate Pro 5560 Soft Beginner & Intermediate Silicone Cupping Therapy Set” for $29.99, but I would get 2 sets of 6 for 12 total. These ones are less thick than typical silicone cups so they are less intense feeling for the client, and easier to apply and move around.

    Topical Products: I bring my own lotion and oil but in case you want to stock your own here are some industry insider tips.

    For oil I like using organic cold pressed olive oil. The price is about the same at Costco (Kirkland brand) and on Amazon by the gallon. Ideally the gallon jug has a pump on it, since free pouring can be messy and using a funnel is a hassle. Most LMTs dispense bulk oils, gels, or lotions into 8oz plastic pump dispenser bottles which fit conveniently into massage bottle holsters. These holsters have a snap closure and adjustable nylon strap. Some people don’t like olive oil because it has a yellow color that can stain linens. Personally I don’t care about oil stains. I think some clients worry that the linens weren’t washed well enough but I use hot water and lots of laundry detergent, the oil stains often endure.

    People/LMTs/spas who want colorless oil often use fractionated coconut oil because it is liquid at room temperature hence can be pumped from a dispenser. Coconut is actually a fruit not a tree nut so it is fairly allergy-friendly.

    The oil known for being hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin is jojoba oil which is pressed from seeds not nuts. However, with everything there’s a tiny percentage of people who might react to it.

    Massage gels I don’t have much experience with. The gels, lotions, and creams are cold sometimes so I warm them in my hands before applying them to the client. Some of the gels contain “synthetic wax” to give them more grip/drag/texture. I’m a hippie and prefer natural ingredients, for example beeswax would be better but I bet it’s more expensive. Gel is fluid enough that it still pumps from a dispenser.

    With lotions I recommend ones that contain shea butter, it makes them thicker, creamier, and luxurious. The watery lotions annoy me, they absorb into the skin or evaporate too quickly so the constant reapplications interrupt the flow of the session and reduce the actual hands on time. Most lotions still pump fine from a dispenser.

    Cold pressed coconut oil, shea butter, and creams are thick at room temperature so they usually aren’t pumpable. I like using a spoon to dispense the amount I’ll use during the session into a tiny silicone bowl. These are available on Amazon in big packs, they are eco friendly since they are reusable instead of disposable. I saw one spa use disposable plastic to go sauce containers with lids. Any small dish or bowl works. I used to use a Biotone cream a lot. However I prefer the seamless convenience of the pump bottles in holsters.

    For essential oils I recommend buying therapeutic grade. The UpNature line available on Amazon is high quality but also priced below market. Some well known brands are doTERRA and Young Living but they are MLM. On Reddit I saw some non-MLM good EO companies are “Nature’s Gift, Eden Botanicals, Plant Therapy, Miracle Botanicals, Eden’s Garden, NOW, and Aura Cacia”.

  • Hot Stones Wizardry

    I recommend the “Therapist’s Choice® Portable Hot Stone Warmer with 12 Stones for Massage Therapy” for $79.99 off Amazon along with thin basalt stones. The warmer comes with river stones which have a rougher texture and don’t hold heat as long. This warmer can be cleaned with a wet cloth with a little dish soap; vinegar can corrode the metal plates.

    Personally I don’t like using the Himalayan Pink Salt stones because you can’t get any water on them since it causes them to dissolve. So most spas clean them with vinegar and a cloth, but the stones are porous so I don’t like using the same ones for multiple clients. Also the moisture in the massage oil or gel can cause the stones to dissolve a little bit, creating rough spots.

    Other supplies that MTs use for hot stones are the crockpots with or without water inside, or the heating bags or cases.

    >Surface/folding tray table with cotton hand towel: The towel prevents the warmer from sliding around while in use, and provides a place to set stones if they need to cool down.

    >Heat transfers: The MT should usually do a couple heat transfers with the massage oil, transferring the heat from the stone to their hand then the client’s skin, before directly putting the stone on the skin.

    >Check in with the client regarding the first stone’s temperature and adjust accordingly.

    >Start with more rapid shallow strokes with the hot stone on the client’s skin to help the temperature difference between the stone and skin lessen.

    >Then you can use the stone(s) with a slower pace and more pressure when they are at the ideal heat.

    >Once the stone is no longer hot and just lukewarm, pop it back into the clamshell hot stone warmer to reheat. They reheat faster when they have oil/lotion/cream/gel on them so keep that in mind.

    >After the session is complete, clean the hot stones with a dedicated scrub brush or sponge with hot water and dish soap (I like using Dawn for it). Clean the hot stone warmer after it has cooled down with a cloth, hot water, and a small amount of dish soap.