Being a massage therapist means answering a lot of questions that start with “Can massage help with…?” In between “rotator cuff injury” and “back pain from lifting heavy things” sometimes I get lesser known and more nuanced health issues like “Peripheral Neuropathy”. 


Peripheral Neuropathy refers to damage to the nerves and nervous system outside of the brain and spine. While it can cause issues with some organ function and digestion, it is most commonly characterized by feelings of numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet. At least, that’s what most people who come to a massage therapist for relief are experiencing. 


But let’s back up a bit and learn about the causes of Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). 


With PN, nerve signaling can be disrupted in three ways. There could be a loss of signal entirely, like when your toe just doesn’t get the message that it should wiggle. There could be an unexpected signal when there should not be any signal at all, like if your toe started wiggling when you didn’t tell it to. Or there could be a distorted message, like if you want your toe to grip onto that flip flop but it just clenches a bit and doesn’t finish the job.


PN can be caused by injury, a health issue like diabetes or autoimmune disorders, medications or chemotherapy, and we’re now seeing cases of PN in people who had COVID-19. 


PN can be mild and merely annoying or can be quite painful and disabling. The symptoms can vary depending on the severity of damage and the type of nerves involved (motor, sensory, or autonomic). Some cases of PN resolve on their own and others won’t resolve even with intervention.  


So yes, there’s a huge variety in causes and presentations of Peripheral Neuropathy cases and diagnosing and treating can be complex. It is helpful to keep in mind that PN is most often a symptom of some other issue, so it can be most effective to treat that primary issue and then treat the PN secondarily. 


Can massage help? 
Maybe, depending on the cause of the PN. 


If neuropathy is the result of an injury and the nerves are being squished and traumatized by tight muscles and swollen soft tissue, massage may help ease that muscle tension and lymphatic massage techniques may help reduce swelling. 


In a body that has been less-than-active, massage and gentle range of motion techniques may improve the circulation and promote healing of the nerves and tissues. 


Moreover, we know that massage is extremely beneficial for anxiety and depression, and people in pain are disproportionately faced with anxiety and depression. Pain is exhausting, and defeating, and did I mention exhausting? Skilled touch can provide a period of pain relief that allows the client a respite and even a reduced pain level that allows for a little more compliance with a structured rehab plan.


Massage, specifically for Peripheral Neuropathy or otherwise, is a beautiful companion to other pain management efforts. If you would like to connect about treating your PN, please reach out.

​If you have just found out you are pregnant, congratulations! I want to assure you that massage is safe at any point during a healthy pregnancy. I know that finding a massage therapist that will massage pregnant people can be challenging. 
 
Many massage therapists are simply not trained (kudos to them for not practicing outside of their scope of education). But even with proper training, many clinics and therapists choose to not see people in their 1st trimester. This is not because massage is unsafe. This happens because a business may be concerned about liability issues. If a miscarriage is going to occur, it will most likely happen in the 1st trimester, and some businesses do not want to risk being connected to an issue in pregnancy.  
 
Pregnant people have been safely receiving massage in the first trimester, often before they even know they are pregnant, for years and years. In the hands of an experienced massage therapist with extra training in prenatal massage, it is doubly safe.  I have extensive continuing education in pregnancy shiatsu and massage and Maya Abdominal Therapy during pregnancy through continuing education, apprenticeship and certification in birth assistance work.
 
Massage can:

• Decrease stress and anxiety
• Improve your sleep
• Help regulate hormones
• Reduce tension and pain in muscles
• Reduce swelling
• Improve nerve pain
• Increase your cardiovascular health
• Support optimal fetal positioning
• Support joints in preparing for the big day

 
All of these benefits are helpful to a pregnant body.
 
Unless your medical provider says otherwise, if you can exercise, have sex, and do most normal activities, there is no reason to think massage is unsafe. (And there is no science to support that it is unsafe.) Massage during your 1st trimester (and the following trimesters) would focus on stress-reduction and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. 
 
Massage may change throughout your pregnancy in regards to pressure, positioning, and areas we focus on. Your prenatal massage will grow and change with you!

Please reach out to me with any questions during your pregnancy journey!

​FREE Self-Massage Tools That Get Results
 
Yes, you can massage yourself at home. No, it won’t be as great as booking an appointment with me (obviously!). But the same way that brushing and flossing between dentist visits keeps your teeth and gums healthier for longer, self-massage can prolong the benefits of your sessions and help keep pain and stiffness at bay.
 
Self-massage can (literally) be awkward as you contort your body to reach pain points. It can also cause pain and discomfort in your hands when you aren’t properly trained. While there are certainly many self-massage tools that you can buy online, there are a few common household objects you can put to use RIGHT NOW, no shipping required.
Self-massage tools from around the houseTennis ballSkip the one covered in dog drool and go dig a clean one out of that bin in the garage. If you don’t have a tennis ball, a racquetball or handball also works.
Techniques

• Lie on your back or stand up against the wall. Put the tennis ball between your shoulder blades or right behind your armpit. If you are lying down, your bodyweight will apply pressure into the ball. If you are standing, lean into it.

• Sit on the floor with legs out in front of you. Slide the ball under your calf. The weight of your leg applies the pressure into the ball.

• Get on your hands and knees. Put the tennis ball under the soft part of the shin (the muscle, not the bone) and let your bodyweight apply pressure.

 
You can use a harder, smaller ball, like a golf ball, to massage tight areas, but take care not to be too aggressive here. This is no time for “no pain, no gain.” You want to work up to the point of discomfort and gently test that line, but not go too far. Be gentle with yourself! It's better to be conservative and mindful so you don't aggravate an area that’s already inflamed.
Socks 
Avoid chasing your tennis ball all over the place while trying to use it for massage by sticking it inside of a sock. If you put two or three inside a sock and tie the end closed, you now have a roller that’s particularly nice to use on your quads.
 
Neck pain? My personal favorite sock-tennis ball combo is to put two tennis balls into a sock. Now lie on your back and put the sock across the back of your neck with one ball behind each ear. Let your head be heavy and feel the glorious release of tension from the muscles at the base of your head.
TowelA foam roller is a great self-massage tool and usually one of the first things I recommend clients buy. However, they can be bulky and awkward to store and not everyone has the space to use one effectively. And if you can get similar results for free, why not do that?
TechniquesRoll up a large towel (like beach towel) into a cylindrical shape and place it on the floor. Lie along its length so your tush is at one end and your head is at the other end (the towel is along your spine). Then move your arms as if you are making snow angels. This gives a wonderful stretch through the chest and helps with upper back pain after a long day sitting at a desk.
 
Now take that same towel and rotate it 90 degrees. Lie back down with the towel horizontal at the base of your shoulder blades. Your upper torso should now be slightly arched backwards over the towel roll. This posture is a useful to counterbalance the all-to-common hunched forward posture.
 
If one towel isn’t firm enough, use two together, or combine a towel and a yoga mat to give a bit more support.
Frozen water bottleFill a plastic bottle with water and freeze it. Once frozen, roll it over sore areas. This is an efficient way to massage and apply ice all at once. This technique is most often recommended for plantar fasciitis, but you can also use it on your calves, quads, forearms, and neck.
Rolling pinMassage stick rollers can cost $30 or more! Instead, use a rolling pin to massage your quads, hamstrings, and calves. Granted, it’s not as versatile as a foam roller, but it gets the job done effectively.
 
A wall is available anytime anywhere. Use your tennis ball up against a wall rather than lying on the ground to massage your shoulders, hip flexors, glutes, and pecs.
 
To improve your upper spine mobility, wall angels are tough but effective.
No propsTraveling or stuck at work with no props, but desperately need a massage? No problem! You can still get the benefits of self-massage through joint mobility, which can be very effective at reducing muscle tension. Consider these movements:

• Neck rolls

• Wrist circles

• Shoulder shrugs

• Shoulder rolls

• Hip circles

• Standing spinal roll down and roll up

• Standing side reach

• Active child’s pose

• Ankle rolls

 
Progressive muscle relaxation is massage and meditation all in one. Regularly incorporating this into your self-massage routine will help you feel grounded, relaxed, and free in your body until you can get back on my massage table.
ConclusionSelf-massage between massage sessions with me helps to maximize the benefits of your regular massageappointments and keep your body pain-free for as long as possible.
 
Let me know which of these self-massage techniques worked best for you. I look forward  to seeing you on my table again! 

  ​Common Myths About Back Pain
There are dozens upon dozens of myths out there about what leads to back pain, what you should do to prevent back pain, and what kinds of treatments may solve your back pain troubles. 
 
Today, I am here to tell you that you should think again about what may be causing your aches and pains and urge you to think twice about your course of treatment.
 
My goal as a massage therapist is to help relieve your pain. But what if many of the commonly suggested treatment solutions are ineffective at best? Throw out everything you know about back pain, and let’s take a look at some of these claims to see whether or not they stand up to science.
Have You Made Any of These Frequent Misconceptions About Posture and Pain?  You probably have heard that poor posture causes back pain. In fact, it’s likely that you heard it frequently from your parents when you were growing up as they were encouraging you to stand up straight. 
 
And chances are you’ll find lots of experts claiming this to be true on the internet as well: chiropractors and doctors, physical therapists and personal trainers, and yes, massage therapists, all telling you the importance of posture if you’re looking to avoid or alleviate back pain. 
 
Are all these claims really supported by facts and by experience? Should you spend time working to improve your posture if your only concern is avoiding pain and discomfort? 
 
Take a look at this study: In examining teenagers who had sunken chests, overly arched lower backs in their younger years, one elevated hip or a deviation of the spine from the midline of the body, none of these parameters were found to be associated with lower back pain, mid-back pain or neck pain in their later years.
 
Perhaps you’ve heard that an increase in the arch of the lower back during pregnancy is the cause of many women’s discomfort while expecting. However, an in-depth analysis measuring the arch of the lower back in 12 healthy women during their first and third trimesters of pregnancy was conducted in order to discover if there was any truth to this myth by monitoring changes in the curvature of the spine.
 
The point of this study was to locate any direct correlation between postural changes and back pain. While back pain is a common occurrence for many women in pregnancy, these postural changes were not found to be the cause of back pain at all. 
 
Overall, there is little truth to the idea that poor posture can lead to back pain, just as there is no evidence to show that we can cure back pain by changing our posture. 
What You Might Not Know About Bulging Discs: Are You Aware?Herniated discs and degenerative disc disease are both common problems that will show up on MRIs, but these structural changes may not be the actual cause of your back pain. 
 
While many may start to consider surgery to alleviate pain, fixing these abnormalities by going under the knife actually may not give you the reprieve you’re hoping for.
 
Just how frequently is pain associated with bulging or degenerated discs? In one well-known study of 98 people with no back pain symptoms, 52 percent had a herniated or bulging disc at one or more levels, the rate of which increased with age. But they did not have pain symptoms that would indicate a problem or structural change in their back. 
 
Why? Because “the discovery by MRI of bulges or protrusions in people with low back pain may frequently be coincidental.” 
 
In fact, if you examine many major joints in the body, you are bound to find something wrong with them, pain or no pain. Whether that pain be located in the pelvis and hips or in the knees, operable joint issues may not actually be the issues.
 
Of course, this does not mean that herniated discs or disc degeneration don’t cause pain in some people. But just remember that many people living their lives without back pain also have bulging discs. 
 
Working with a massage therapist to alleviate pain may be a viable option to treat your pain effectively. 
Is There a Correlation Between Core Strength and Back Pain?Another common misconception about back pain is that having a strong core is essential to having a pain-free, healthy back. But what evidence is there to support this claim?
 
Numerous studies have been conducted to examine whether core strengthening exercises are the solution to lower back pain. Take a look at this study, though, which found that in individuals with little abdominal muscle strength, there was no statistically significant difference between the group that was performing core strengthening exercise and back education and the group that relied on back education alone. 
 
This study divided participants into two groups: a group of people with chronic lower back pain who received muscle control therapy and a second control group that received placebo-like treatment. The first group received outpatient physical therapy over the course of 12 weeks, with exercises designed to improve the function of specific muscles in the lower back. The second group receiving the placebo treatment had de-tuned ultrasonic therapy.
 
The results? This motor-control-focused exercise did help with muscle recovery but did nothing for back pain.
 
What we can learn from this is that while exercise is generally good for us, current evidence shows us that strengthening our core is not a magic cure-all that will free us from back pain. 
So What Exactly Causes Back Pain?If posture, bulging discs and poor abdominal strength are not the causes of back pain, then what is? If you suffer from chronic back pain, it might be frustrating to hear that these perceived causes might not be the root of your back pain woes at all.
 
So just what is causing your back pain? Here are a few causes that might be leading you to feel pain and discomfort in your back:

• Muscle strain or injury, leading to back spasms, discomfort and even weakened muscles over time. Massage can help with this. 
• The large muscles in your upper back are prone to irritation, either because of a lack of strength or overuse. Massage can relieve this irritation and improve range of motion.

 
There are more serious causes of back pain, too. Some kinds of cancer may present as back pain and it can also be a symptom of fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis. 
 
When should you see a doctor about your back pain?There are a handful of red flags in regards to back pain. See your doctor right away if

• You have numbness or obvious weakness anywhere in your back, hips, groin or legs or incontinence. 
• You fell or had an injury that involved impact.

 
Also, if you’ve had the pain for more than 3-4 weeks, it’s spreading or getting worse, or it’s affecting how you sleep, get checked out. 
 
 
 
Back pain is no joke. You feel it with every move, and it affects your life in all kinds of ways. 
 
With an accurate medical diagnosis from your healthcare provider, together we can create a healing, therapeutic massage plan to relieve your pain and get your life back on track. Ready to see how regular sessions with a massage therapist can alleviate your back pain? Let’s get in touch today so you take the first step towards a healthier, happier spine.

​Most people have a love/hate relationship with their foam roller.
 
Rolling can help the body feel more mobile and fluid after just a minute or two of rolling just the right spots. At the same time, rolling can be uncomfortable if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or ignore your body for a long time. 
 
Foam rolling can be helpful in extending the benefits of massage, so it’s worth learning a little more to determine if it’s a useful technique for you. 
 
What’s a foam roller?
Foam rollers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with bumps and nubs and some even vibrate. 
 
A cylindrical log shaped roller is probably what most associate with foam rolling. They can be made from everything from dense styrofoam to PVC pipes wrapped in foam padding but you can use any one of a variety of tools like a foam rolling stick, a cane with knobs on the end and even different sized balls ranging from golf balls to balls the size of a cantaloupe. 
 
The popularity of foam rolling is also increased by the fact that you can do it practically anywhere: the gym, the living room floor, your hotel room while traveling, even at your desk.

And while everyone can benefit from foam rolling,  if you have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis, foam rolling is usually contraindicated.
 
Does it really work?
There is a lot of conflicting information about foam rolling and that misinformation gets passed from one person to the next with little or no inquiry about whether or not it’s actually true. 
 
There have been very few studies done on foam rolling (like massage). Much of what we thought foam rollers did, has turned out to be false.. 
 
The prevailing myth about foam rolling, also sometimes referred to as self myofascial release, is that it breaks up adhesive tissue fibers and melts fascia like butter. The truth is that “melting” fascia is impossible from a manual therapy perspective. 
 
There has been some debate as to whether we should continue to call it “myofascial release” since the fascia isn’t actually being released.
 
The fact is fascia has the tensile strength of steel and is so deep and interconnected that it would be impossible to affect the entire “web.” 
 
In actuality, foam rolling activates your parasympathetic nervous system and deactivates the pain signal from your brain causing your muscles to release their contraction/ relax.
 
Some other benefits of foam rolling include

• Release tension
• Improve mobility
• Increase range of motion 

 
Another popular myth about foam rolling is the harder the roller, the more beneficial it is. Wrong.
 
Just like using a drill to hammer a nail doesn’t work, using a hard object such as a lacrosse ball will not necessarily yield better results than a softer tennis ball. Remember the point is to reduce pain, not inflict it. And you could end up with muscle or nerve damage if done incorrectly. 
 
Start with a softer object or roller with no knobs or bumps and work your way up. If it is uncomfortable, but bearable, and you feel relief after only 30-60 seconds, that’s a good sign. 
 
A good, targeted foam rolling session should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes. Also, like stretching, you have to know if the muscle is over or underactive. Foam rolling an underactive muscle has little effect on decreased tension or increased flexibility. And rolling back and forth on an overactive muscle just causes hyper-irritability which will eventually lead to more pain. 
 
FOAM ROLLING 101
 
Now that we know a little more about foam rolling let’s talk about some key areas you can foam roll and how to get the most benefit from it.
 
Knowing which areas to foam roll begins with knowing what the goal is. 
 
If you’re trying to relieve tension, a static pressure for about 30-60 seconds is most beneficial. If you’re over 65, studies have shown that up to 90 seconds of foam rolling is most beneficial.
 
If you sit for long periods of time at a desk or have difficulty squatting at the gym some key muscles you want to target might be

• Tensor Fascia Latae (Hip flexors) 
• Rectus Femoris (main quadricep)
• Tibialis Anterior (muscle on the outboard side of your shin bone)
• Latissimus Dorsi (between the rib cage and your armpit)
• Upper trapezius (upper back)

 
If you wear high heels for work you might want to target

• Lateral Gastrocnemius (outside portion of the calf)
• Soleus (lower leg under the calf)
• Hamstrings
• Gluteus Maximus

 
If you do a lot of work where your arms are above your head--carpenters, mechanics, construction workers you might want to target

• Biceps
• Forearms
• Latissimus Dorsi
• Upper trapezius
• Rotator cuff muscles

 
If the goal is to gain flexibility or temporarily increase range of motion a more traditional method of rolling up and down the length of the muscle is better. 
 
To getting the most out of this type of foam rolling session: 
 
Slow your roll - Slowing down your movements to about 1 inch per second. Rolling faster does nothing for the muscle because it does not allow enough time to engage your parasympathetic nervous system. 
 
Break it up - for larger muscles such as the quads or hamstrings, start at the bottom of the muscle and roll half way up then roll from the halfway point to the other end of the muscle. This helps to slow you down and also not overwhelm your nervous system with too much stimuli.  
 
Whichever goal you are trying to achieve, always remember to use good posture. Keep your core engaged, spine straight and joints aligned. This will keep you from developing back, shoulder or hip problems from foam rolling.
 
If you’re ever confused about how to use your foam roller, bring it in on your next visit and I’d be happy to give you some pointers. 
 
Remember, your foam roller won’t replace your regular massage, but it can be a great tool to use between sessions. 

Here are my top 3 favorite rollers!

Basic High Density (paid referral link)

Foam Roller for Deep Tissue (paid referral link)

​Foam Roller for Travel (paid referral link)

Dear Clients,
I hope this finds you and your family in good health.  While many things have changed, one thing that has remained the same:  my commitment to your safety and health.
 
The recent loss of George Floyd and the impact on our community has deeply affected me as I am sure it has many of you.  As a mother to a brown skin son, I worry about him and the future perceptions people may have of him.  Right now, he is cute and funny and smart and so enjoyable to be around.  I know that this perception of him will change as he grows older.  Due to the systemic racism that I now see is so very apparent in many aspects of our lives, I worry for him and I worry for all black and brown people that experience our community differently than I do as a white person.  I did not know how deep this was.  I’ve made plenty of mistakes that I see now.  I am searching for ways to do and be better in this world to create an equal and just society for all.  
 
We have all just experienced a double shock and trauma from the coronavirus pandemic and now with our community experiencing another unjust loss of life and the fallout from that loss.  This trauma and these experiences are in our bodies, our minds and our spirits.  I am here, to hold space, to hear you, to hold my hands over your areas of pain and tension and to hopefully give relief to what you are carrying, without judgement, wherever you are in your journey.  If I have harmed you in anyway, please know that I am sorry and I am listening if you want to share.  I am here and I support this very critical movement.  At the end of this message, I have a list of educational resources to continue learning about how to be anti-racist and also about trauma and race.
 
COVID-19 information and protocols.
 
By its very nature, massage and bodywork requires skin to skin contact and you should be familiar with the fact that infection control has always been a top priority for my practice.  As we navigate life with additional requirements and modify existing measures due to the coronavirus, please help me to support all of my clients, some with high risk factors, by cooperating with some new requirements.
 
My practice has always followed the highest level of training and practice guidelines available in the USA.  In regards to Covid 19, I am following recommendations by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSTMB), along with the MN Government Industry Guidance for Safely Reopening Personal Care Services, infection control recommendations made by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
 
During this time, it is incredibly important to be mutually transparent regarding our potential risks to each other.  As such, I share with you that my son is in a summer camp program in which social distancing practices are followed as much as can be with 7 year old’s.  I attended 2 community events relating to the protests and memorial of George Floyd.  These were smaller events in comparison to many and we did not stay for long nor near anyone for longer than a couple seconds passing through.  Other than those scenarios, I have been taking the most conservative approach to health safety related to Covid-19.
 
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment.  I made these changes to help protect my clients and myself.  For example:
 

• At Clear Holistic Therapies, both practitioners and clients are required to wear a mask.  If your service requires that you remove your mask, I am required to also wear a face shield.  I have an alternative mask for when lying face down to allow for greater comfort.  I may also wear gloves if working specifically near your face, neck, etc.
• Please bring your own water bottle.  We are not allowed to offer drinking water to clients at this time.
• I will communicate with you beforehand to obtain updates to your health information and ask you specifically about your potential exposure to COVID-19.
• When you arrive at the office, I’ll ask that you wait in your vehicle or outside until I text you or call you to come in.  This ensures that we don’t have too many people in the reception area at one time.
• I will greet you at the door and I may use a no touch thermal temperature screening to confirm that you don’t have a fever.  I will also present a screening checklist at the time of your appointment.  I will also be taking my own temperature before each shift.  We reserve the right to refuse high risk situations for the benefit of all.
• Please cancel your appointment if you have a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, travelled within the last 14 days by plane or if you have had a known exposure to someone with Covid-19 and have not yet tested negative.  You will NOT be charged cancellation fees.
• Each practitioner at Clear Holistic Therapies sanitizes all surfaces, knobs, tables, etc. regularly and between each client.  Clients will be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after being escorted into the treatment room before touching anything.
• Each room at Clear Holistic Therapies is equipped with a new air purifier with HEPA filters rated for the removal of viruses (CADR smoke rating of 300) with an exchange rate of 5x per hour.  The office HVAC system is also equipped with a U/V light at the coil for additional air disinfection.
• All high-touch surfaces which were previously porous have been removed or replace with non-porous, wipeable surfaces.
• Please bring a face mask to use while you are in the building and during your massage.  
• I will ask you to sign an informed consent from that states, “I understand that close contact with people increases the risk of infection from COVID-19.  By signing this form, I acknowledge that I am aware of the risks involved and give consent to receive massage from this practitioner.”
• There is a hand hygiene station that I will ask you to use when you enter the office (wash your hands).  You will also find hand sanitizer in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

 
I will also be taking additional measures during your session to reduce the potential of transmission including:
 

• Using disposable individual containers of coconut oil or body cream.
• Using only 1 or 2 essential oil options and sanitizing the bottle between each session.
• Wearing an apron that is changed out between each session.
• Showering and washing my hair on days when practicing massage therapy.
• Wearing shoes that are only worn for massage therapy, not on the street otherwise.
• Washing hands during a session if I have touched a surface.
• Wearing gloves when both setting up and taking down linens.
• Storing linens in a sanitized tub that is re sanitized at the end of each session.

 
I look forward to seeing you again and am happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps I take to keep you, and every client, safe in my practice.  To make an appointment, please call me at 651-560-0891 or book online at www.hibiscushealingarts.com.  My practice is tentatively scheduled to open mid-July at Clear and for home visits in June, 2020.
 
Thank you for being my client.  I value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back to a safe, therapeutic touch environment.
 
Hibiscus Healing Arts
At Clear Holistic Therapies
Jennifer Ingvoldstad, BCTMB
www.hibiscushealingarts.com
jennifer@hibiscushealingarts.com
651-560-0891
 
 
 
COVID 19 Resources:
Find a free testing location here:  
https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/index.jsp
 
Racism Resources:
“How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
“White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo
“Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy, and Premature Birth” by Dana-Ain Davis
“My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts” by Resmaa Menakem
And many more…
 
Local black healing practitioners:
Black Moon Bodywork with Ihotu Jennifer Ali, www.ihotuali.com
Clara Sharp, Doula at Ahava Birthworks
Doula Kaytee, Doula  www.doulakaytee.com
Healing Illuminated LLC with Rebeka Ndosi, www.alifeinpractice.com
Metro Midwifery, Britt Jackson  www.metrohomebirth.com
Oily Doula LLC, Rhonda Fellows www.oilydoulamn.com
Omaur Bliss Fit  www.OmaurBlissFit.com
Roots Community Birth Center www.rootsbirthcenter.com
Radiant Life Yoga with Jaina Portwood  www.radiantlifeyoga.com
Red Cricket Healing Center  www.redcricket.com
Tiyumba Dance  www.tiyumba.com
​