Hi, I'm Brooke Issitt, the hands behind Ripple Effect Massage Therapy!
Providing licensed and insured Massage Therapy in Tallahassee, Florida. I have an office space within the serene energy of Abundance Wellness Center, where many other health and wellness practitioners work too. I am also able to be mobile with my massage table or chair. Mobile massage is an upchargebased off of more time, commuting, gas, heavy lifting, etc. For work environments and any other special events, I bring a specialized massage chair to work over peoples clothes.
I am trained in many different modalities of massage:
- Swedish
- Connective Tissue Therapy (a special blend of Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release)
- Integrative Pregnancy Massage
- Neuromuscular therapy/Trigger-point Therapy
- Assisted Stretching
- Sports Massage
- Thai Massage
- Chair Massage
- Hydrotherapy (coming soon!)
- Polarity Therapy
I specialize in Integrative Pregnancy Massage - Prenatal Massage, Labor Preparation massage, and Postnatal Massage. I am also a certified doula. Supporting families in my community is what I'm most passionate about! Link to benefits of pregnancy massage > https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/prenatal-massage/
Refer to Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page for more info!
I currently do not charge higher prices for separate massage modalities or for combining them together; I only charge for time. I also give the full hands on time, so if you sign up for a 60 min session, you will receive 60 min of a massage, plus an additional 10 min for a consultation and time for you to get on and off the table.
The GPS is a little off for directions to Abundance Wellness Center and cannot be fixed at this time. Abundance Wellness Center is in Woodcrest Office Park, across the street from Truesdale Gymnasium and Pool. Once you turn into the plaza, you will stop at the first stop sign and then continue straight. Then you will see a yield sign ahead, turn left at the yield sign and you will see the sign for Abundance Wellness Center. Park in the front and I will let you in the center a few minutes before your appointment time.
Wheelchair accessibility is available because there are walking ramps rather than stairs. Please let me know if you'll need any other accommodations with injuries or disabilities.
FAQ for Integrative Pregnancy Massage:
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.
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?
No. Laying on the left side is the most ideal sleeping position for pregnancy as it allows for optimal blood flow to the fetus, uterus, kidneys, and heart. Sleeping 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) 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.
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 and I have a supply of vomit bags just in case. 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. I also keep honey packets handy in case sugar levels drop a bit.
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 aminiotic 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!
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 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.
Operating Hours
- MondayBy appointment only
- TuesdayBy appointment only
- WednesdayBy appointment only
- ThursdayBy appointment only
- FridayBy appointment only
- SaturdayBy appointment only
- SundayBy appointment only
Go on, be a good friend and share MassageBook with them. They'll love you for it.