Caroline Cottingham, LMT

10/27/2026

✨Mention this post when booking to receive discount✨

10/27/2026

✨Openings this week✨

Wednesday 3:30-6:00
Thursday 11:30-3:00
Friday 12:00-5:30

10/26/2026

Have you ever noticed one shoulder blade sticking out more than the other? This may be a condition called winged scapula.

Your shoulder blade (scapula) should rest relatively flat against your rib cage. When the muscles or nerves that support it are injured or weakened, the shoulder blade may stick out like a wing.

🔎 Common Signs & Symptoms

* Shoulder pain or stiffness
* Weakness when lifting your arm
* Limited range of motion
* Grinding or snapping sensations
* One shoulder blade visibly protruding more than the other

💡 What Causes It?

Winged scapula can result from nerve or muscle injuries, repetitive strain, sports injuries, falls, accidents, or surgery.

🤲 Can Massage Therapy Help?

Massage therapy may help ease surrounding muscle tension and promote relaxation when appropriate. However, it cannot repair nerve damage or correct the underlying cause. A healthcare provider can assess the condition and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include physical therapy.

⚠️ When Should You Seek Medical Care?

If you notice a visibly protruding shoulder blade or have shoulder pain and stiffness lasting longer than a week, consult a healthcare provider. Seek emergency care if you suddenly cannot move or use your shoulder.

✨ Remember: Shoulder blade pain and unusual positioning shouldn’t be ignored. Getting the right assessment can help you find the most appropriate treatment.

📚 Source: Cleveland Clinic — Winged Scapula (updated July 5, 2024).

10/25/2026

10/25/2026

Did you know that stress often manifests as physical tightness in the jaw, neck, and shoulders? 💆‍♀️ This constant tension can lead to headaches and fatigue if left unaddressed.

A Custom Relief Massage helps down-regulate your nervous system and manually release those high-stress areas, giving your body the reset it needs.

✨ 60 Minutes – $85
✨ 90 Minutes – $115

Located inside The Salon in Dillon, SC. Send me a message to reserve your appointment and start your week feeling refreshed!

10/23/2026

When to Pause Your Massage for Better Healing

As a therapist, your safety is my top priority. While massage is a powerful tool for relief, there are times when your body needs rest or medical care first to ensure you heal properly.

Please postpone your session if you have:
A Fever or Active Illness: If you're feeling under the weather, massage can actually make you feel worse. Rest up and we'll reschedule when you're 100%.
Unexplained Leg Pain or Swelling: If one leg is suddenly swollen, red, or warm, please see a doctor immediately. We want to rule out a blood clot before any deep tissue work.
Active Skin Issues: Open wounds or spreading redness need time to heal to prevent irritation or infection.
Fresh Injuries: If you suspect a fracture or have severe, unexplained pain from a recent fall, let’s wait for a medical clearance first.

Not sure if you should come in?
If you have a chronic condition or are undergoing medical treatment, we can often safely modify your session. Send me a message and we can chat about the best plan for your recovery!

✨ Your body deserves the right care at the right time.

10/23/2026

PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME: WHEN A DEEP HIP MUSCLE MAY IRRITATE THE SCIATIC NERVE

Pain in the buttock can sometimes involve more than the muscles we see on the surface.

The piriformis is a deep muscle located near the sciatic nerve. In some cases, irritation in this region may contribute to buttock pain, tingling, or discomfort that travels down the leg.

🔬 Why does the anatomy matter?

Piriformis muscle: Helps rotate the hip and stabilize the joint.

Sciatic nerve: Travels from the pelvis into the back of the leg.

Deep gluteal region: A possible source of nerve irritation, but not the only explanation for sciatica-like symptoms.

⚠️ Similar symptoms can also come from the lumbar spine and other conditions. Piriformis syndrome cannot be confirmed by symptoms alone.

Understanding the anatomy is the first step toward understanding the possible causes of pain.

Follow Anatomy World for more fascinating insights into the human body.

Educational content only. This post is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice.

10/23/2026

🧠 THE PAIN IS HERE. BUT WHERE DOES IT START?

Pain is not always felt at the place where the problem begins.

The spine protects the spinal cord and gives rise to nerve roots that carry sensory information and help control movement. When certain nerve roots become irritated or compressed, symptoms may be felt in other parts of the body.

🔹 Cervical spine: Some nerve root problems can cause pain, tingling, or numbness in the neck, shoulder, or arm.

🔹 Thoracic spine: Irritation of thoracic nerves may contribute to pain wrapping around the chest or abdominal wall.

🔹 Lumbar spine: Certain lumbar nerve problems can produce pain or altered sensation extending into the leg.

🔹 Lumbosacral region: Nerve roots contribute to sensation and muscle function across parts of the pelvis and lower limbs.

💡 The key takeaway: The location of pain alone cannot identify its cause. Muscles, joints, peripheral nerves, and internal organs can also produce overlapping symptoms.

Understanding anatomy helps explain the possibilities — but a proper clinical assessment is needed to determine the actual source.

🧬 ANATOMY WORLD See the body. Understand the science.

Educational content only. This post is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice.