Welcome to Ripple Effect Massage Therapy

Hello, I’m Brooke Issitt, the hands behind Ripple Effect, providing personalized, effective massage therapy in Tallahassee, Florida. By appointment at my office in Abundance Wellness Center or mobile massage in the comfort of your home, workplace, or special event. Book online or contact (850) 508-7565 (Text is always better than call, as I'm in and out of sessions most of the day).

I specialize in: Customized Therapeutic Massage and in Integrative Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage (see FAQ at bottom of page for Integrative Pregnancy Massage).

Every customized session is backed by extensive training. I expertly blend massage modalities and make continuous, real-time adjustments to pressure and focus to thoroughly relieve pain, restore function, and optimize wellness. I go beyond rote treatment routines and am able to fine-tune care to my clients’ particular pain complaints and overall wellness needs. I am also in training for my medical massage certification, which will enable me to specialize in state of the art assessment strategies and clinical reasoning to emphasize the critical elements of why, where, when, and how with all musculoskeletal pain and injury. I am an avid student, constantly learning more about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, motor neuroscience, pain science, fascia research, and different massage modalities.

My training includes:

Connective Tissue Therapy: A highly effective blend of Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release to relieve pain, tension, and dysfunctions.

Targeted Therapeutic Techniques: Neuromuscular/Trigger-point Therapy, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Sports Massage, and Orthopedic Medical approaches.

Integrative Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage: Specialized Prenatal, Labor Preparation, During Labor, and Postpartum Massage (see FAQ at bottom half of this page for details).

Relaxation & Wellness: Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy, and a small amount of Thai Massage

My most popular booked session is: the 120 min session. This timed session tends to feel the most satisfying as we are able to take our time with that balance of deep therapeutic work, invigoration, and profound relaxation; especially beneficial for those who want the full body worked as well as multiple focus areas addressed thoroughly.

How clients describe my work: knowledgable, versatile, dynamic, restorative, gentle yet strong, calming yet thorough.

What to Expect from Your Appointment:

You Get What You Pay For: When you book, you receive the full hands on time—a 60-minute session means 60 full minutes of massage, plus additional dedicated time for consultation and getting on and off the table.

A Comfortable, Judgement-Free Space: Whether you visit my office at Abundance Wellness Center, or request mobile massage, I ensure a comfortable, welcoming, and professional environment.

Accessibility: My office building is wheelchair accessible via walking ramps. My massage table is low enough to service those with most disabilities and I will be upgrading to an electric completely ADA compliant table beginning in January 2026. Please let me know if you need any other accommodations for injuries or disabilities.

(Note: For gift certificates, please purchase directly through this page on MassageBook. Giftly, Jane App, and similar third-party sites are not affiliated with my business.)

The meaning behind the name: A ripple effect is a spreading influence, a phenomenon where one initial action can create a series of significant effects, where a change to one part of a system affects the rest of the system, and with massage, where changes to the body on the outside can effect every system in your body and quality of life at large.

Here is a link to an instagram post I made about the ripple effect of benefits for every system of the body! A lot of slides but a worthwhile read that really helps you understand the importance of massage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGcKSp3ul5E/?igsh=bmRiOHdzajc2c2k4

We all have powerful, far reaching effects with the choices we make. Massage is such a powerful practice to help people feel far reaching effects in their lives. There are a couple of massage benefits mentioned in the link above that start the ripple effect of changes in the body — Massage increases our proprioception and our interoception.

Massage increases our proprioception. Proprioception is our body's sense of its own position, movement, and location in space, allowing for coordinated and automatic movements without conscious thought. It allows your brain to know the position of your body in space without having to rely on visual input alone. It is often called the sixth sense because it provides constant, unconscious feedback to your brain about your body's state. Unlike touch, which comes from the skin, proprioception comes from the sensory receptors in your muscles and joints and is crucial for balance and motor control. When impaired, it can lead to symptoms like clumsiness, poor balance, and difficulty with fine motor skills. Damage to soft tissues, such as with a torn ACL, can damage proprioceptors and lead to a loss of proprioception. Various conditions can affect proprioception, including stroke, brain injuries, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. The risk of a proprioceptive deficit also increases with age due to natural changes in nerves, joints, and muscles. Massage techniques stimulate the sensory receptors (proprioceptors) located in your muscles, tendons, and joints. This increased sensory input sends more detailed feedback to your brain about the state and position of your body parts. By waking up this system, massage can improve your overall body awareness and control, making you more conscious of areas of tension or misalignment you may not have noticed before. By reducing chronic muscle tension, massage can allow the muscle spindles (a type of proprioceptor) to function more optimally, helping to reset the system to a more natural, relaxed state. This improved proprioception leads to better posture, balance, coordination, and is particularly beneficial for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Massage increases our interoception. Interoception is our sense of the internal physiological state of the body. It involves the brain processing signals from organs like the heart, lungs, and gut, which helps you understand your body's needs and feelings. It allows you to know when you are hungry, thirsty, or need to sleep, helping you maintain a stable internal balance. It helps define what emotions or pains feel like by providing the internal, bodily sensations associated with them, like a racing heart or muscle tension. Interoception is important for maintaining homeostatic conditions in the body and facilitating self-awareness. Gentle, slow, and rhythmic massage strokes stimulate specialized nerve fibers called c-tactile afferents. These fibers transmit signals directly to brain regions that are crucial for processing interoception, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Massage, especially when relaxing, then promotes the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest-and-digest" state). When the nervous system is calm, it's easier for a person to notice subtle internal cues—like relaxed breathing, areas of tension, or emotional states—without feeling overwhelmed. A healthy interoceptive sense is linked to better psychological well being, emotional regulation, social connection, and physical health.

FAQ for Integrative Pregnancy Massage:

What are the benefits of Prenatal Massage?

Lower rate of premature delivery
Lower stress hormones in fetus
Reduced risk of baby having low birth weight
Babies born perform better on neurological and behavior tests
Less anxiety and depression during both pregnancy and postpartum (increased serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphin levels and reduced cortisol and noraldrenaline levels)
Reduced body pain, especially back, pelvic girdle, and leg/foot pain
Increased immune response (increased IgA levels, especially proven for massage given biweekly 16 weeks gestation through 36 weeks or more)
Increased calmer and deeper sleep
Decreased swelling
Specific benefits of Postpartum massage: improved milk production, decreased swelling, hormone regulation, reduced anxiety and depression, better sleep, and better outcomes for bonding with baby
Sources on info below

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8396946/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34323238/

https://www.healthline.com/health/postpartum-massage#how-to-prepare

Link below of evidence for how acupressure points can help labor

https://maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/acupressure-for-induction-of-labour/#:~:text=The stimulation of these points,to relax (Yelland 2005).

Links below of evidence for how both massage & acupressure can relieve labor pain, reduce labor time, and increase delivery satisfaction

https://journals.lww.com/jnr-twna/fulltext/2020/02000/effects_of_massage_and_acupressure_on_relieving.10.aspx

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/massage-for-pain-relief-during-labor/#:~:text=One study with 60 women,among women who received massage.

How often is it recommended to get prenatal massage?

Once a month! Every two weeks if you in are in pain or have been experiencing prenatal depression. Also, every 2 weeks is most beneficial 36 weeks gestation until birth.

What is Integrative Pregnancy Massage?

Integrative Pregnancy Massage is a certification in pregnancy and postpartum massage. The stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are looked at through a traditional Western understanding and a Chinese medicine perspective, exploring ways to enhance the pregnancy experience. I have thorough knowledge through certifications in doula schooling (DONA & Cornerstone Birthwork) massage school (Florida School of Massage), and the Integrative Pregnancy Massage certification course. I have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology of each stage of the reproductive journey. I understand management and adjustments of common and high-risk conditions, stretches and bodywork effective for pain relief and to make progress during childbirth labor, and integration of many advanced techniques to facilitate the most therapeutic effects for pregnant, laboring, and postpartum clients.

What should I wear in a pregnancy massage?

Just like a regular massage, as much or as little clothing as you are comfortable with. Most people just keep their underwear on. I always drape the sheets in ways where your private areas will not be exposed. If choosing the labor prep massage (38-42 weeks pregnant only), it's best to come in stretchy clothing for the rebozo techniques, such as a comfy shirt and bike shorts or yoga pants. If you would like the abdomen release massage that is generally apart of that session too, then you can either get dressed at the end of the massage and lift up your shirt just with the belly showing, or I can fold a pillow case or towel to cover the chest. I would place a folded towel over the sheet and you hold the towel down as I pull the sheet out from underneath, with no exposure of the chest.

How far into pregnancy should massage be in the side lying position?

13 weeks onward massage will be in the side lying position surrounded in a cloud of pillows, turning over to the other side half way through. One pillow will be for your head, two if you are experiencing nausea; one body pillow to go under your abdomen and in between legs; one optional pillow to hug which helps arms relax; potentially a small pillow for under back or in between legs in order to achieve a 90 degree angle if you are not in it with the default setup. A 90 degree angle for the pregnant body allows the pelvis to stay in alignment, reduces pressure on the lumbar spine, and provides the legs with even blood flow.

Why side lying for pregnancy massage?

Side lying minimizes strain on the musculoskeletal structures and uterine ligaments and sinuses. It also avoids supine hypotensive syndrome, also known as inferior vena cava compression. The inferior vena cava is a large vein that runs parallel to your spine on the right side and carries blood to your heart and, in turn, to your baby. So supine hypotensive syndrome is a condition where a pregnant woman's uterus compresses the inferior vena cava when lying flat on the back, which decreases venous return to the heart, and arterial blood flow to the pelvic organs and lower extremities and can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, tachycardia, pallor, weakness, excessive sweating, and much more serious maternal & fetal obstetric consequences, so side lying is safest for you and baby!

I've heard it is only safe to stay on my left side during pregnancy. Is that true?

The left side-lying position allows for maximum maternal cardiac functioning and fetal oxygenation, though most pregnancies are safe with the mother on either her left or right side. We will discuss your individual circumstances to decide together. Laying on the left side is the most ideal position for pregnancy as it allows for optimal blood flow to the fetus, uterus, kidneys, and heart. Laying on the left side also takes pressure off the liver, which can help with swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands. However, changing between both the left and right side is completely safe for pregnancy for short periods of time (changing every 45 min or less) when knees are bent and there is a pillow in between the knees, pillow underneath the abdomen, and pillow underneath the head. During massage we will start on one side, then turn to the other side half way through the massage.

Do you have the pregnancy cushions with the belly hole for me to lie face down during massage?

I do not. Based off of my extensive training, there has not been any research on the consequences of these pregnancy cushions, only anecdotal sharing. I only choose the most evidence based resources for my clients in order to keep them safe. I am a forever student looking for the most recent scientific literature on the reproductive journey to update my practice, and am open to have the cushions some day, if and when there is reasonable proof for benefits considerably outweighing any risks.

What if I have morning sickness or heartburn?

There are accommodations. With morning sickness, I will elevate the upper body with a second pillow and avoid using techniques that rock or shake. With heartburn, I will prop up the abdomen more, taking tension back from the gastric sphincter, which can alleviate discomfort.

Is massage good for swelling?

Massage is great for swelling! It reduces fluid collection in joints, improves removal of tissue waste, helps the body flush out toxins, and increases circulation. Swelling typically occurs halfway through or later in the pregnancy, primarily in the calves and feet. I will test the feet at the beginning of the massage for pitting edema. The test is gently pressing my finger on a swollen area of skin for 5-15 seconds. After releasing pressure, a dimple or "pit" will appear, indicating fluid build up in the tissues. The degree of pitting edema is graded on a scale from 0 to 4. Grade 0: negative, with no persisting indentation. Grade 1: Mild pitting edema that disappears within 10 seconds. Grade 2: Moderate pitting edema that disappears within 10-15 seconds. Grade 3: Severe pitting edema that lasts for more than 15 seconds. Grade 4: The pit is deep and takes more than 30 seconds to go away. In the case of Grade 3 and 4, we would postpone the massage and it is recommended for you to speak to your doctor, as pitting edema can be a sign of a serious health issue, like preeclampsia.

Will you massage someone with Gestational diabetes?

As long as blood sugar levels are under control, yes! If you do not have a doctors note, I ask that you check your blood sugar levels with a glycometer right before the massage.

Can I receive massage with a high risk pregnancy?

For many high risk pregnancies, such as gestational diabetes, history of pregnancy loss, a woman under age 17 or over age 35, or carrying multiples, as long as you have a note of approval for massage therapy from your prenatal healthcare provider, you can receive massage from me. Massage is contraindicated and an immediate healthcare referral is mandated for any emergency signs brought to my attention including: Possible miscarriage signs like bloody discharge, continual abdominal pains, sudden gush of water or leakage of amniotic fluid. UTI signs including frequent urination with burning, low back pain, increase in thirst, chills, and fever. Eclampsia (Toxemia) signs which can include any of the following: persistent severe headaches, persistent severe back pain unrelieved by change of position, severe nausea/vomiting, systemic edema, pitting edema, visual disturbances, and convulsions.

I am only diagnosed as a "High-risk Pregnancy" because of one reason, I am over 35. Other massage therapists have refused to massage me because I am "High-Risk". Do you have the same rules?

No, I will massage pregnant people over 35!

Is there evidence on the series of things you do for labor prep massage actually helping prepare for labor?

Yes! Massage, acupressure points, rebozo stretching techniques, gentle diaphragm release massage, and aromatherapy are a highly effective combination for: releasing tension in the body which maximizes the optimal roles of your birth hormones which are what cause changes that get your body ready to give birth, start contractions, and help make labor and birth more likely to be smoother for both you and baby. The combination of techniques in labor prep will also create more space in the pelvic outlet which helps baby descend and get into position easier, will unhinder pelvic ligaments which will help maintain downward and side to side movements during labor to make the most use out of gravity which speeds up labor and greatly helps pain, will increase oxytocin levels which are needed to start and maintain continuous contractions, and will increase oxygen levels which will be the most important tool for every aspect of labor. Here are a few links below on research. If you'd like, I will also send you more information, as well as simple techniques that your partner, doula, or other support systems during labor can use during labor to help with pain management or to help birth progress.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31524645/

https://maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/acupressure-for-induction-of-labour/#:~:text=Acupressure can be used to,32 and Gall Bladder 21.

https://nationalpartnership.org/childbirthconnection/maternity-care/role-of-hormones/

When can I receive a postpartum massage?

A Swedish massage can be done as soon as 2 weeks after birth if there were no serious complications. For any other massage modalities we will wait 4-6 weeks after vaginal birth depending on circumstances. With a cesarean, we wait to massage the belly until the incision has healed sufficiently. If you have high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, or postnatal preeclampsia, you will need a doctors note to receive.

What if during postpartum there are interruptions in the massage because of my baby?

If you'd like me to come to your home, I am able to accommodate you with baby. In this case, it's best to either wear flexible clothing or to put on a robe that you can easily take on and off. When baby is sleeping, you can be receiving massage on the massage table. When baby is awake, I can massage certain areas, wherever you feel comfy sitting, whether you are watching baby for tummy time or while you are holding baby for feeding. We could access the feet, legs, top of the shoulders, neck, and head from this angle. I have also had some moms comfortable with side lying pose for feeding their baby, and in that case, you can lay on the massage table and I can access most parts of the body that way. When you are rocking baby to sleep or calming baby down, changing a diaper, or otherwise in a way where you cannot receive massage temporarily, I will gladly do chores for you during that time: Dishes, Laundry, Sterilizing Milk bottles, etc.