Handcrafted Massage

09/15/2026

If you've never had a massage before—or it's been a long time—it can feel a little awkward walking into an appointment when you don't really know what to expect.

So here's what an appointment with me actually looks like.

We start by talking. I'll ask what's bothering you, what you'd like to work on, and if there's anything I need to know before we get started. You don't need to know anatomy or exactly what's wrong. “My shoulder hurts when I do this” is plenty.

Then I'll step out of the room so you can get comfortable on the table. You undress to your comfort level, get under the sheet and blanket, and you're properly draped throughout the entire massage. Only the area I'm actively working on is uncovered.

And there's a pretty good chance you'll meet Maisie the golden doodle. She likes to greet people when they come in and will often make herself comfortable in the massage room while I'm working. She's become a little bit of an unofficial Handcrafted Massage employee at this point.

During the massage, communication is always okay. If the pressure is too much, not enough, you're cold, you need to move, something doesn't feel right—or you just need to use the bathroom—tell me. You aren't going to hurt my feelings.

You also don't have to talk! Some people chat with me for their entire appointment. Some say three words and fall asleep. Both are completely normal.

Afterward, I'll give you a few minutes to get dressed and we'll talk about anything I noticed or anything that might be helpful going forward. Sometimes I have a stretch or a little homework for you. Sometimes the recommendation is simply to see how you feel over the next couple of days.

That's it.

No need to know massage etiquette. No need to know exactly what to ask for. And definitely no need to apologize for your legs not being shaved.

09/05/2026

Employee Spotlight:

I’d like everyone to meet one of the hardest-working members of Handcrafted Massage.

As you can see, Maisie takes her job VERY seriously.

Her responsibilities include greeting clients, making sure everyone gets properly greeted upon arrival, supervising massage appointments, and apparently… sleeping on company time.

If you’ve been in for a massage lately, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve met Maisie. She usually settles in once your massage starts and is perfectly content to snooze in the room while I work.
Honestly, I love having her here with me, and she’s become a pretty regular part of the Handcrafted Massage experience.

Be honest — are you coming for the massage or are you coming to see Maisie?

08/30/2026

One of the things I really love about massage is that no two appointments are ever the same.

When you come in, I want to know what's going on today. Maybe your neck has been driving you crazy. Maybe you've been running more than usual. Maybe everything hurts and you just want to relax for an hour.

That's why I don't really believe in making you choose between a bunch of different "types" of massage.

Your appointment time is yours. My experience and training lets me pull from a variety of knowledge. We can use different techniques and modalities throughout the session depending on what we're working on and what your body needs that day.

It's not a one-size-fits-all type of therapy. It's your massage.

08/06/2026

What modalities do I offer?

General Wellness Massage:
A gentle, restorative massage using light to medium pressure to promote relaxation and overall well-being. Perfect for stress relief, better sleep, and easing mild tension.

Medical Massage:
A focused massage tailored to specific conditions or injuries. Techniques are customized to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support recovery. (Billable under the code 97124 NPI: 1518382134)

Manual Lymph Drainage:
A gentle, rhythmic technique that supports lymphatic flow and reduces swelling.

Intraoral Massage:
Specialized massage technique that focuses on the muscles inside and around the mouth, jaw and face. This technique helps with issues such as headaches, facial trauma, whiplash, TMJ disorder/ grinding, jaw pain, speaking and chewing dysfunction. (Billable under the code 97124 NPI: 1518382134)

Prenatal Massage:
Specialized care for expectant mothers, using safe techniques to relieve back pain, reduce swelling, and promote relaxation during pregnancy.

Deep Tissue Massage:
A more intensive treatment that targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Ideal for chronic tension, muscle stiffness, and stubborn knots.

Sports & Athletic Massage:
Designed for active individuals, this massage helps improve performance, prevent injury, and support faster recovery after workouts or events.

Injury Rehabilitation:
A goal-oriented treatment focused on restoring movement, reducing pain, and supporting recovery from soft tissue injuries.

Myofascial Release:
Gentle, sustained pressure techniques that release tension in the fascia to improve mobility, posture, and overall body function.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

07/05/2026

Massage typically falls under two umbrella categories-

General Wellness Massage:
A gentle, restorative massage using light to medium pressure to promote relaxation and overall well-being. Perfect for stress relief, better sleep, and easing mild tension.

Medical Massage:
A focused massage tailored to specific conditions or injuries. Techniques are customized to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support recovery. (Billable under the code 97124 NPI: 1518382134)

Depending on your needs and goals I then use a variety of techniques to achieve positive results during our session. What modalities do I offer?

Manual Lymph Drainage:
A gentle, rhythmic technique that supports lymphatic flow and reduces swelling.

Intraoral Massage:
Specialized massage technique that focuses on the muscles inside and around the mouth, jaw and face. This technique helps with issues such as headaches, facial trauma, whiplash, TMJ disorder/ grinding, jaw pain, speaking and chewing dysfunction. (Billable under the code 97124 NPI: 1518382134)

Prenatal Massage:
Specialized care for expectant mothers, using safe techniques to relieve back pain, reduce swelling, and promote relaxation during pregnancy.

Deep Tissue Massage:
A more intensive treatment that targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Ideal for chronic tension, muscle stiffness, and stubborn knots.

Sports & Athletic Massage:
Designed for active individuals, this massage helps improve performance, prevent injury, and support faster recovery after workouts or events.

Injury Rehabilitation:
A goal-oriented treatment focused on restoring movement, reducing pain, and supporting recovery from soft tissue injuries.

Myofascial Release:
Gentle, sustained pressure techniques that release tension in the fascia to improve mobility, posture, and overall body function.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Autumn R Childe LMT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objectives. I ...

06/23/2026

06/20/2026

HANDCRAFTED MASSAGE is staying busy these days and I am so thankful! I notice more people are joining the waitlist and I want to take a minute to communicate how I manage waitlist appointments. These often happen last minute and are needed to be filled promptly. Here is the standard procedure for waitlisted clients.

Waitlist Policy:

Occasionally appointments become available due to cancellations or schedule changes. To help fill these openings fairly and efficiently, Handcrafted Massage maintains a cancellation/waitlist list.

How the Waitlist Works

- Clients on the waitlist will be contacted when an appointment becomes available that may fit their preferences.

- Available appointments are offered on a first-response basis and cannot be held without confirmation.

- Because openings often occur on short notice, clients will typically have a limited time to respond.

- Unless otherwise stated, waitlist offers will expire after 2 hours. If no response is received within that timeframe, the appointment may be offered to the next client.

- A response indicating interest does not guarantee the appointment if another client confirms first.

- Once an appointment is confirmed, standard cancellation and rescheduling policies apply.

Last-Minute Openings

Appointments that become available within 24 hours may be announced to multiple waitlist clients at the same time to ensure the opening can be filled promptly. In these situations, the appointment will be given to the first client who confirms availability.

Thank you for understanding. These guidelines help ensure appointment openings are offered fairly while allowing available times to be filled as efficiently as possible.

05/31/2026

Massage for Sciatic Relief: Release & Realign

Sciatic pain can make even simple daily activities uncomfortable. Whether you're dealing with aching in the lower back, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness, tingling, or tightness in the hips and glutes, massage therapy may help provide relief.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. When surrounding muscles—especially the piriformis, glutes, hip flexors, or lower back muscles—become tight or irritated, they can place pressure on the nerve and contribute to sciatic discomfort.
How Massage Can Help!
✔ Relaxes tight muscles that may be compressing the sciatic nerve
✔ Improves circulation to support the body's natural healing process
✔ Reduces tension and inflammation in the surrounding tissues
✔ Increases flexibility and mobility in the hips and lower back
✔ Helps decrease pain, numbness, and muscle stiffness

Targeted therapeutic and deep tissue techniques focus on the areas most commonly associated with sciatic irritation, helping restore movement and improve overall comfort.
While massage is not a cure for every cause of sciatica, many clients experience significant relief and improved quality of life through regular treatment.

You don't have to live with sciatic pain.
Book a therapeutic or deep tissue massage session and take the next step toward moving more freely, feeling better, and getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Autumn R Childe LMT/CPT
509 688 4889
handcraftedmassage.net
Lic # MA60238003
https://book.heygoldie.com/Handcrafted-Massage

Helping you move better, feel better, and live better.

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

05/24/2026

What Causes Sciatic Pain?

When the Nerve Gets Irritated or Compressed

Sciatic pain (often called sciatica) happens when the sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in the body — becomes irritated, inflamed, or compressed. This nerve starts in the lower back, travels through the hips and glutes, and runs down each leg to the feet.

Because the nerve is so long, symptoms may show up in different places, including:
Sharp, burning, or shooting pain down one leg
Aching in the low back, glute, or hip
Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations
Numbness in the leg or foot
Weakness when standing, walking, or climbing stairs
Pain that worsens after sitting for long periods

Common causes of sciatic pain include: • Tight glute muscles (especially the piriformis muscle) putting pressure on the nerve
• Hip tightness or muscular imbalance
• Prolonged sitting or poor posture
• Lower back irritation or disc issues
• Muscle tension from overuse, stress, or repetitive movements
• Pregnancy-related changes and pressure on the pelvis
• Inflammation around the low back or hips

Sometimes people assume sciatica always starts in the spine, but muscular tension around the hips and glutes can also contribute significantly to nerve irritation.

💡 Self-Care Tip:
Gentle mobility work and stretching may help reduce tension around the nerve pathway. Movements such as:
• Figure-four stretch
• Pigeon pose
• Seated piriformis stretch
• Gentle hamstring stretches
• Walking and light movement throughout the day
can sometimes relieve pressure and improve comfort.

Massage therapy and movement-focused care may help address muscular tightness contributing to discomfort for some people.
—
Autumn R Childe, LMT/CPT
509-688-4889
handcraftedmassage.net⁠
book.heygoldie.com⁠
Lic # MA60238003

Autumn R Childe LMT, CPT 509 688 4889 Promoting wellness through bodywork  Each session begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. Throughout the massage, we’ll maintain open communication to ensure the pressure is comfortable and the treatment supports your wellness objective...

05/16/2026

Did you know massage may help lower cortisol levels — often called the body’s “stress hormone”?

When cortisol stays elevated for long periods, people can experience tension, poor sleep, headaches, fatigue, irritability, and feeling constantly “on edge.” Massage encourages relaxation and may help reduce stress responses in the body, leaving many people feeling calmer and more rested afterward.

Clients often report improved sleep, reduced muscle tension, and an overall sense of well-being after regular massage.

Taking time to relax isn’t just a luxury — it can be part of caring for your body and nervous system. 💆‍♀️✨