Carey Thorpe

Licensed Massage Therapist

A little about me

My name is Carey Thorpe, and I have been practicing the art of healing bodies for over 18 years now. It never ceases to amaze me how much a massage can shift a person; be it aches and pains, energetically, emotionally, or all of the aforementioned. I take pride in making my treatment space comfortable and relaxing; a place you can come unwind and heal.

I'm a mom to a beautiful little girl, Maggie. We are big fans of trampolines, Disney everything, skiing, crafting, knitting, snuggling, yoga, reading, paddle boarding... Most all water sports, really. We think Maggie might be part mermaid and she really is the smartest person I know. I have a furry pal Bub who you will most likely meet when you come to my office.  He brings so much joy to my life and I love that I can share him with you. 

I have been employed as a waitress, front desk clerk, whitewater raft guide and eventually I went to school and got a degree in social and behavioral sciences with a minor in education from the University of Southern Maine. I went on to graduate from the massage therapy program at the New Hampshire institute of Therapeutic Arts in Bridgton, ME in 2005 and have been in practice for myself ever since. I have also had the pleasure of working for and with several other successful health care practitioners who have all added to my expertise as a massage therapist.

I have always felt drawn to touch and the healing it brings.  I love the satisfaction I get from seeing how much relief a simple touch can bring. A warm friendly gesture of humanity by giving a gentle squeeze on the shoulder can shift a persons day. It gives me great pleasure to so easily lift such heavy burdens from people with a loving touch and a safe place to relax. Giving massage is like watching a very hungry persons reaction after eating a nice meal. You can see the relief it brings. It fulfills a part of me seeing how much of a difference my gift of touch can bring. If I had to put a name to the type of massage that I do, it would be intuitional massage.  Each person I treat is different and I try to tailor each massage to fit perfectly to the individual. 

Stress, in all it's beauty and wrath is ever present in this modern world we live in and how each of us take it on and deal with it is unique to every individual.  Our body was equipped to handle very stressful situations with the fight, flight or freeze reflex.  These days, there usually isn't a Saber-toothed tiger at our heals, but quite often there is a bill collector or a deadline or a personal crisis that replaces those huge teeth quite nicely.  Even though stress isn't something we can pick up or hold, our bodies certainly manifest discomfort, disease and dis-ease and I do my best to facilitate the release of that stress.

Hot Stones: I incorporate them as I see fit it a treatment. The stones bring heat, luxury, blood flow and their own energy to a massage that can tip the scales from a good massage to a great one.

Essential Oils: Each plant has different healing properties just as each client has different ails. I feel that adding essential oils to a treatment sincerely customizes the massage. For people sensitive to essential oils, this is an optional service.

CBD infused oils:  I infuse my own massage oils with hemp based CBD and herbs specific to ailments I see most often in my office. For more information on CBD please refer to this very helpful link. .http://www.projectcbd.org

Calendula has properties that is amazing for the skin.

Holy Basil has properties that helps alleviate muscle spasm.

Arnica has antiseptic,anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties for sore joints, recovery from injury or other painful maladies.

What is deep tissue, anyway?  My answer: different for everyone.  Some have the philosophy "go deep or go home!"  If it doesn't hurt, it's not doing anything.  I don't necessarily agree with that, but I appreciate the people that do and can deliver if that is what someone is looking for (custom for you). Deep tissue doesn't have to hurt, nor does it mean that I take my hands off and replace them with jackhammers.  I think about the deeper tissues in the body and how they effect the outer layers.  By working with the intension of shifting deeper inner tissue of the body, the rest can shift around it, changing the pattern of tension and dis-ease.

 Craniosacral massage

This type of treatment focuses on the freeing of tissue around the spinal column to allow spinal fluid to flow and nourish the brain and spinal chord.  I have started to incorporate some of this in my treatments and have gotten a lot of positive feedback.  I look forward to getting further educated in this modality and appreciate those of you who continue to be open to trying on my newest treatments!

Reflexology

I enjoy this doing this type of treatment because of the magical quality of the results. Reflexology works with the feet and energy meridians of the body to bring forth any imbalances that may reside in your body.  I use this treatment a lot with women who are preparing their body for pregnancy.  We are lucky enough to live in an era where we can decide when we are ready to conceive; if only our bodies would comply with our agenda!  It's such a big change to your body and life to prepare for a child, and sometimes a couple reflexology treatments can help catch your body up to the place your head and heart are at.

prenatal massage

Aaahhhhh....  Massage is such a great thing for pregnant women.  I offer a pregnancy pillow to women who want to lay face down for their massage.   Prenatal massage has been found to reduce stress, decrease swelling in the arms and legs, and relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints. It's a popular complementary therapy during pregnancy for back pain, when choices for pain relief, such as medication, are often limited. Not only can massage be physically beneficial, but the human touch can be comforting and provide emotional support during pregnancy. Massage therapy has been found to reduce anxiety and depression during pregnancy, and it feels so wonderful. 

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:

Decreased anxiety.

Enhanced sleep quality.

Greater energy.

Improved concentration.

Increased circulation.

Reduced fatigue.

Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:

Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.

Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.

Ease medication dependence.

Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.

Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.

Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.

Increase joint flexibility.

Lessen depression and anxiety.

Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.

Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.

Reduce spasms and cramping.

Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.

Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.

Relieve migraine pain.

I hope this brief description of me and my motivations brings you closer to feeling comfortable with coming to get a treatment from me. I look forward to hearing about you and your life! 

Carey Thorpe

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
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