Massage Therapy Integrated With Clinical Care

Massage therapy is not just about relaxation. We use focused soft-tissue techniques to address muscle tension, guarding, restricted movement and areas of scar tissue that may be contributing to pain or limiting how you move. The goal is to reduce irritation, improve mobility and help you move with less pain and more confidence while supporting a smoother recovery.

Clinical massage therapy treatment for leg and muscle pain recovery at Rising Sun Chiropractic in St. Peter MN.

Massage Services Available

Clinical Massage Therapy 60 Minute Sessions

Massage therapy is not just about relaxation. We use focused soft-tissue techniques to address muscle tension, guarding, restricted movement and areas of scar tissue that may be contributing to pain or limiting how you move.

The goal is to reduce irritation, improve mobility and help you move with less pain and more confidence while supporting a smoother recovery. Techniques may include neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and sports massage based on what your body needs.

Common reasons our patients seek clinical massage:

  • Chronic neck and back pain

  •  Sciatica and nerve irritation

  •  Migraines and chronic headaches

  •  TMJ dysfunction and jaw tension

  •  Sports injuries and work-related strain

  •  Shoulder tightness and rotator cuff injuries

  •  Plantar fasciitis

  •  Scar tissue and stubborn fascial adhesions

Lymphatic Drainage Massage (90 Minutes)

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle technique used to support normal fluid movement through the body. It may help reduce areas of stagnant swelling, support the body’s normal waste-clearance processes and improve comfort in tissues that are recovering from inflammation, injury or surgery.

It can also be useful as part of appropriate post-surgical care when swelling and fluid accumulation are part of the recovery process. Manual lymphatic drainage is supportive care—it does not replace evaluation or treatment for an underlying medical condition such as infection, vascular disease or another cause of abnormal swelling.

This specialized therapy is highly recommended for:

  • Post-surgical swelling and recovery support

  • Lymphedema management

  • Edema or lipedema relief

  • Immune support and illness recovery

  • Chronic inflammatory conditions

Relaxation Massage (60 or 90 Minutes)

If you are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or just need a safe space to decompress, our relaxation massage is designed to quiet a busy mind and soothe your body.

This lower-intensity session focuses entirely on down-regulating your nervous system, improving sleep quality, and easing the physical toll of chronic stress. Using rhythmic, gentle-to-medium pressure, we help your body shift out of “fight or flight” mode so you can truly rest, reset, and recover.

This session is ideal for:

  • Chronic stress and everyday burnout

  • Sleep disturbances and insomnia

  • Mental fatigue and sensory overwhelm

  • General wellness and recovery support

Book your Relaxation Massage

CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach used to support relaxation, comfort and nervous-system regulation. Amanda may use it with patients who are dealing with complex whole-body symptoms, including people with POTS, dysautonomia, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, concussion-related symptoms, anxiety or sleep problems.

The goal is not to diagnose or cure those conditions. It is to provide supportive care that may help reduce tension, improve comfort and help the body settle into a calmer state while the patient continues any appropriate medical evaluation or treatment.

Who may benefit from CranioSacral Therapy?

  • Head & Jaw Tension: Migraines, chronic headaches, facial tension, and stubborn TMJ dysfunction.

  • Concussion & Injury Recovery: Lingering post-concussion symptoms, whiplash, or protective muscle guarding that won’t turn off years after an accident.

  • Nervous System Regulation: Supportive care for POTS, dysautonomia, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and sensory overwhelm.

  • Stress & Sleep Support: Easing the physical symptoms of anxiety, panic responses, or persistent sleep difficulties by calming an overworked nervous system.

Conditions That Benefit From Massage Therapy

  • chronic neck pain
  • low back pain
  • sciatica
  • shoulder pain and frozen shoulder
  • rotator cuff injuries
  • carpal tunnel symptoms
  • elbow tendinopathy
  • hip flexor tension
  • thoracic outlet syndrome
  • migraines and headaches
  • TMJ dysfunction
  • plantar fasciitis
  • work injuries
  • post-surgical swelling
  • neuropathy
  • concussion and whiplash
  • chronic pain syndromes

Your Massage Therapist

Amanda Handy is a nationally board-certified massage therapist and certified lymphatic practitioner. She specializes in clinical massage focused on pain relief, functional recovery and medically complex cases.

Credentials:

  • Northwestern Health Sciences University — Valedictorian
  • Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist — Klose Training
clinical massage therapy treatment in St Peter MN at Rising Sun Chiropractic

What To Expect At Your Visit

We want your first visit with us to be the most relaxed part of your day. When you step into our clinic for a massage or therapy session, here is exactly how we look after you:

  • Reviewing Your Goals: We will sit down together to talk about your symptoms, your health history, and exactly what you want to get out of your session.

  • Clinical Assessment: We will perform a quick, targeted structural assessment to find the exact source of your tension, pain, or restriction.

  • Targeted Treatment: Your entire hands-on session is completely customized to your body using the precise techniques that will help you heal fastest.

  • Moving Forward: Before you leave, we will chat about a simple, realistic care plan to help you maintain your results, especially if you are combining massage with your chiropractic care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this medical or spa massage? Think of this as results-based bodywork. While our studio is a quiet, comfortable space where you can fully relax, our primary goal is to help you find long-term relief from pain, release deep tension, and improve how your body moves.

Do I need a doctor’s referral? Not at all. You are welcome to schedule an appointment directly with us whenever you feel your body needs care. We are here whenever you’re ready.

Can massage be combined with chiropractic care? Massage therapy can help chiropractic adjustments last longer by reducing the muscle tension and guarding that may be pulling the body back into the same painful movement patterns. When tight or irritated soft tissues are addressed, the area may move more comfortably and with less resistance after an adjustment. That does not mean a joint was “out of place” and keeps falling back out—it means the surrounding muscles and soft tissues can influence how well the area tolerates and maintains improved movement.

How is CranioSacral Therapy (CST) different from massage or chiropractic care? While traditional massage focuses directly on muscle tissue and chiropractic care optimizes joint alignment, CranioSacral Therapy works directly with your internal nervous system and deep connective tissues. Instead of using deeper physical pressure from the outside in, CST uses an incredibly light touch to help restrictions release from the inside out. They work beautifully together to calm an overworked system.

What does a CranioSacral session feel like? You remain completely fully clothed and rest comfortably on our treatment table. Because it uses such a precise, gentle touch, it doesn’t force your body to change. Instead, most patients experience a state of deep, meditative relaxation, subtle softening or releasing sensations in their muscles, and a profound sense of whole-body balance.

Is lymphatic drainage safe after I’ve had surgery? It may be appropriate as part of post-surgical recovery, depending on the procedure, timing and your surgeon’s guidance. We complete a health screening and may ask for medical clearance before treatment.

Do I need to tip my massage therapist? No. Amanda does not accept tips. The listed session price is the complete price for your care.