Seastone Studios - Amber Howard, LMT

🍂 The fall colors are showing off, the weather is gorgeous, and Bar Harbor’s busy season is winding down!

There are just a few massage appointments left before I close for a November break. I’m already booking for December, so if you’re hoping to squeeze in some time on the table before then, now’s the time!

Book your spot online 💙

🤣 Everyone jokes that massage therapists have a degree in muscles with a minor in laundry services. It’s not wrong.

🧺 Between massage sheets and mom life... I run a small textile operation over here.

🧼 I thought I had oil stains figured out. A little Dawn added to the wash. Done.

Except lately?... I’ve been absolutely wrecking sheets with stubborn oil stains. And I was fully convinced that once something goes through the dryer, that’s it. Game over. Permanent.

Then I discovered laundry stripping.
Here’s the magic formula:
🧪 ¼ cup borax
🧼 ¼ cup washing soda
🫧 ½ cup powdered laundry detergent
🔥Soak in the hottest water safe for your linens (overnight if you can).

I soaked mine in the office bathtub overnight, then ran them through a presoak cycle with my regular unscented detergent and an extra rinse.

They came out looking brand new.
Multiple sheet sets saved.
Hundreds of dollars not spent.
🏆 Small business owner victory.

If you’re a massage therapist, parent, or just someone who regularly battles mystery stains... you’re welcome.

🍁October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is an opportunity to recognize the reality of domestic violence in our communities, learn how we can better support survivors, and make sure people know where they can turn for help.

As a massage therapist, I think it’s especially important to understand how someone’s experiences may affect their relationship with touch, their body, and their sense of safety. Trust, consent, communication, and having control over your own care are fundamental to the work I do.

I’ve taken continuing education specifically focused on domestic violence and massage therapy so I can be better prepared to recognize these considerations and provide thoughtful, informed care for survivors.

To me, awareness means more than recognizing the month. It means continuing to learn, understanding the issue, and knowing how we can support the people around us. It also means knowing what resources are available when someone needs help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you don’t have to figure out what to do next by yourself.

Here in Hancock county, NextStep Domestic Violence Project provides confidential support, advocacy, safety planning, shelter, and other resources.

NextStep DV Project
NextStep Domestic Violence Project
📞 207-667-0176

Maine Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline
📞 1-866-834-HELP (4357)

You can also find information and resources through the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

And if this isn’t something you need personally, you can still help. Learn the resources. Listen without judgment. Check in on the people you care about. Know where to point someone if they need support.

💜 Domestic violence is a community issue, and creating a safer, more supportive community is something we can all be part of.

Your privacy matters. Especially in a small community.

As a massage therapist, I have both an ethical and legal responsibility to protect your privacy and the information you share with me.

That means what happens in the treatment room stays there. I don’t share information about your appointments, health, or personal circumstances with family members, employers, friends, or other health professionals without your permission.

You can feel comfortable talking openly with me about what you’re experiencing, knowing that your privacy is taken seriously.

But, because we live in a small community, there’s another piece of privacy that comes up pretty regularly:

❓What happens if I see you at the grocery store?

I won’t walk up and say, “Hey! How was your massage?” 😂

In fact, I generally don’t initiate contact with clients in public. That’s not me being unfriendly… it’s me respecting your privacy.

If you see me and want to say hi, please do! I love seeing familiar faces. I’ll happily say hello back without disclosing you’re a client.

——————————>

🗣️ When confidentiality may be broken:

There are limited circumstances where a massage therapist may be legally required or permitted to disclose confidential information, including:

✅ Imminent harm: When there is a serious and immediate threat to the safety of the client or another person.

✅ Legal subpoena: When a valid court order or lawful subpoena requires the release of records.

✅ Required reporting: When disclosure is required by law, such as certain situations involving suspected abuse or neglect.

These are exceptions to the rule, not the norm. Your privacy and confidentiality are the standard.

Just a reminder…

I’ll be taking some time away from the office during November for a planned medical procedure and recovery.

It’s an important reminder of something I talk about with my clients all the time: taking care of ourselves sometimes means making space for our own health and giving our bodies the time they need to heal.

The office will be closed October 27th through November 30th. I plan to return to my regular schedule on December 1st.

I wanted to give everyone plenty of notice so you can plan your appointments accordingly.

I’m looking forward to taking care of myself, leaning into administrative tasks, new learning opportunities, and seeing all of you when I return!

Your life is complicated. Getting help doesn’t have to be.

Not sure what you need? That’s okay. Start by telling me what you’re experiencing, what you’ve tried, and what you’re hoping to change.

You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong. You don’t need to know which muscles are involved, what technique you need, or what kind of massage to book.

You’re already busy enough.

Maybe you’ve been pushing through the pain because work doesn’t stop. Maybe you’ve got kids to take care of, are in the middle of a busy season, have a hundred things on your list, or simply have a life that doesn’t leave much room for feeling lousy.

You don’t have to add “figure out my body” to that list.

Thats my job.

I will work with you to figure out an approach that makes sense for your body and your goals.

If you’re ready to book, you can text me, email me, or choose an appointment directly from my online calendar.

But if your situation is a little more complicated, or you’d like to give me some context before choosing an appointment, you can use my online form.

Tell me what’s going on. We’ll start there. —> www.maineseastonestudios.com/contact

Located in the village of Town Hill on Mount Desert Island, Maine Seastone Studios is just minutes from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Whether you’re here for a lifetime, a season, or just a few days, I’d love to welcome you to my massage studio.

Book online at: www.maineseastonestudios.com

Apparently, I underestimated just how many different places a body can hurt. 😂

At the MDI Community Health & Wellness Fair, I asked people where they were currently experiencing pain. I expected a pretty predictable lineup of low backs, necks, and maybe shoulders.

Instead, the responses were ALL over the place.

Which, in hindsight, makes perfect sense. We’re all different, and so are our aches, pains, and complaints.

But let’s talk about my survey design for a minute…

I somehow forgot to include “EVERYWHERE” as an option. 🤦‍♀️

Multiple people pointed this out, because apparently I was asking the impossible of anyone whose answer was, quite literally, everywhere.

Fair enough. That’s on me.

And then there’s the other missing option: “I’m not in any pain.”

Honestly? I didn’t even think to include it. I just assumed everyone walking around was hurting somewhere. (Occupational hazard of being a massage therapist, perhaps? 😅)

But a few people actually answered that they weren’t experiencing any pain!

To those people: I see you. I respect you. And next time, you’ll have your own checkbox.

The takeaway? Pain doesn’t follow a script, and neither should your massage.

Check out what our community had to say… and let me know, did I leave out your answer, too? 👀

Not every body needs the same massage.

Recently, a massage therapist group discussion asked where everyone starts their massage routine. I was surprised by how many therapists follow a set sequence.

That’s just not how I work.

I don’t have a routine. I don’t have a predetermined sequence. I customize each session based on what you’re experiencing, your body’s patterns of tension and restriction, your goals, and your comfort level.

Some sessions look completely different from others. Because the people on my table are completely different from one another.

And I was reminded of just how true that is at the recent MDI Community Health & Wellness Fair.

I asked attendees where they were currently experiencing pain. I expected a pretty clear pattern, maybe lots of low backs, maybe necks.

But the responses? All over the place. Literally.

I’m sharing those results in my next post, because I think they’re worth seeing. 👀

Your body is unique. Your massage should reflect that.