Massage Therapy
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy involves structured touch, holding, pressure and manipulation of the soft tissues in the body to promote healing and a sense of well-being. There are different approaches to massage, all of which emphasize a personalized, one-on-one method of care that can be tailored to the needs of the individual.
What are the benefits of massage?
Studies have shown that massage therapy has a positive impact on the mind and body and can be beneficial in managing the side effects of many medical conditions.
In general, massage relieves muscle tension and stress, reduces anxiety and fluid retention, improves sleep, and restores hope. But exactly how massage affects the individual depends on the type of therapy administered. We offer several different types of massage at UK HealthCare, including:
Relaxation massage
A relaxation or Swedish massage helps reduce stress, soothe and calm the body. Treatment consists of flowing strokes, kneading and gentle manipulations of the muscles performed at a lighter pressure. Benefits can reduce inflammation, stress, soreness and blood pressure. Relaxation massage also enhances sleep, circulation and overall well-being.
Therapeutic massage
A therapeutic massage incorporates firm, focused movements to help address a specific problem, such as pain or tightness, by manipulating muscle tissue to promote structural changes within the body. Benefits may include improved range of motion, less pain and reduced swelling.
Oncology massage
Oncology massage therapy is designed for those undergoing cancer treatment or who have had cancer treatment in the past. It helps relieve short- and long-term side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. UK HealthCare licensed therapists are specially trained in cancer massage and will adapt massage techniques to each patient's unique health situation.
Prenatal massage
Prenatal massage can help manage the side effects of pregnancy, such as pain and discomfort in the back and shoulders, joint and muscle strain, fluid retention, and anxiety. Prenatal massage is offered only for women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Reiki
Reiki provides a sense of calm and promotes relaxation, as well as pain reduction and improved sleep through a gentle placement of hands above the body, using life-force energy to facilitate the process of healing. Reiki can be added to any massage session.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of fragrance, specifically essential oils and other aroma compounds, to improve physical or psychological well-being. Scents such as lavender, citrus, ginger and peppermint have been shown to relieve some of the side effects of illness, such as nausea and pain. Aromatherapy can be added to any massage session for an extra fee.
Who can participate in massage therapy at UK HealthCare
Patients and their family members, UK HealthCare faculty and staff, and community members can all take advantage of the massage services we provide. Should you have any questions or concerns about physical limitations that may affect your ability to receive a massage, please talk to your physician and consult our massage therapy staff.
Meet us
Massage therapists at UK HealthCare are specially trained to care for those with illness or injury, so they can adapt their techniques to suit patients? individual health needs. In addition, our offices are located on site at UK Markey Cancer Center, so patients, family members and staff have easy access to our services.
Combined, the massage therapy staff at IMH has over 80 years of experience in the field of massage therapy.
Our Team
UK HealthCare currently has seven licensed massage therapists on staff.
Jill Cole MA, LMT, BCTMB, massage therapist
Jill Cole is a hospital-based oncology massage therapist and the Massage Therapy Coordinator at UK Integrative Medicine & Health. She has worked in the field of massage as a clinician, educator, presenter and researcher for more than two decades.
Cole graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado in 1998 and is currently working toward her PhD in rehabilitative science at the University of Kentucky.
She has served on professional boards for the American Massage Therapy Association Kentucky Chapter, and she currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Society for Oncology Massage.
Kymber Tackett, LMT, CMT, reiki practitioner
Kymber Tackett has been in massage practice since 1999, working in private, salon and chiropractic settings. She pursued a position in a hospital setting after seeing the impact of massage on family and clients affected by cancer.
Tackett has advanced training in oncology, pediatric oncology, hospital-based, prenatal and postnatal, and fibromyalgia massages. She also works in the modalities of reiki and guided meditations.
Jeresa Hammonds, LMT, reiki practitioner
Jeresa Hammonds specializes in relaxation and therapeutic massage at UK Integrative Medicine & Health. She brings her passion and dedication to providing high-quality massage therapy services to each patient she sees.
Hammonds graduated from Spencerian College in Louisville and has actively practiced massage therapy since 2011.
Mike Cummins, massage therapist
Mike Cummins is a massage therapist at UK Integrative Medicine & Health. He has registered specializations for advanced sports, orthopedic, hospital-based and oncology massage.
He was initially trained in therapeutic massage and bodywork at Lexington Healing Arts Academy in 2005. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology for exercise science at the University of Kentucky in 2018.
Ali Blair, massage therapist
Ali Blair is a massage therapist at UK Integrative Medicine & Health. She has advanced training in orthopedic, trigger point, neuromuscular, oncology and hospital-based massage.
Blair appreciates the balance of knowledge, skill, intuition and compassion necessary to work in a medical setting and enjoys working with a variety of clients.
She graduated from Lexington Healing Arts Academy and has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Columbia College in South Carolina.
In addition to practicing massage, Blair taught anatomy, physiology and pathology at Lexington Healing Arts for 20 years.
Cost
Prices vary depending on the length of the session. For details, see the price list below. We accept debit and credit cards for payment.
| Massage length | Charge |
| 30 minutes | $45 |
| 60 minutes | $70 |
| 90 minutes | $100 |
Contact us
To schedule a massage appointment, call 859-323-4325 (HEAL).
