TOOLS & MATERIALS
PILLOWS​
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Perhaps a little unexpected, but pillows are an essential part of Sarah’s practice. She uses three pillows as bolsters during massage sessions to ensure your body is supported comfortably.
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Prone (face down): Pillows are placed under your ankles, hips, and shoulders to provide full support.
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Supine (face up): The hip pillow is removed to allow space for pillows under your knees and head.
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Pregnancy & Side-lying Massage: When lying on your side, pillows are placed under your head, belly, and top knee for optimal support.
The goal is full-body relaxation. Pillows fill the space between you and the table, allowing you to truly let go. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or would like adjustments, please let Sarah know! Pillows can always be repositioned for your comfort.
MASSAGE OIL
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Sarah’s go-to is Holly Oil from Body Best. This oil is water-based with added Vitamin E and jojoba oil. It's:
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Gluten-free
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Paraben-free
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Nut-free
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Non-comedogenic
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Hypoallergenic and unscented
Ingredients:
Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Jojoba Oil, Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Water, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly).
This oil provides a smooth, consistent glide, helping Sarah work through muscle tension while protecting your skin and preventing stains. After much trial and error, she’s found this blend to be the best match for all skin types.
HEATING PAD (OPTIONAL)
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The heating pad is a helpful optional tool. If you prefer not to use it — no problem! Simply let Sarah know.
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Details:
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Requires an outlet within 6 feet of the massage table.
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Provides warmth and soothing weight.
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Helps increase blood flow, relax muscles, and ease tension before treatment work begins.
When to avoid:
If you typically run warm, have conditions like Raynaud’s (sensitive to temperature changes), or simply don’t enjoy heat, this tool can easily be skipped.
TIGER BALM (OPTIONAL)
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Tiger Balm is used selectively during treatment-focused massages (not typically during relaxation sessions).
It is a mild skin irritant containing menthol, which creates a cooling effect and numbs the area while increasing circulation. This helps Sarah focus on targeted treatment work.
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Important note:
After your massage, be cautious about touching the treated area and then your eyes — the menthol can cause irritation. Washing your hands or showering after your session is a good precaution.
Ingredients:Menthol, Camphor, Mint Oil, Cajaput Oil, clove bud oil, carrier oil.
A great site to learn about each of the ingredients is here
GUA SHA TOOL (OPTIONAL)
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Sarah occasionally uses a rose quartz Gua Sha tool, primarily during facial massages.
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Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, Gua Sha involves gentle scraping techniques to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage. Sarah uses it to help with fluid movement, sinus relief, and facial sculpting. It offers a refreshing, cooling sensation and can feel wonderfully soothing for the skin.
MUSIC
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Sarah plays a curated mix of soft lo-fi music throughout your massage, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
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For mobile massages, she’ll bring her own speaker, but if you’d like to listen to your own music, just let her know!
Her main playlist is available here: Massage playlist
Final Note
Your comfort is always Sarah’s priority. If you have any questions about these tools or would like to try something new during your session, feel free to ask!