ALPACA MASSAGE

Massage by Ash Nemiccolo

Alpaca Massage is a bodywork and wellness practice.

Based in Boston, Ash will travel to you in his blue, bumper-stickered Tacoma – massage table in tow.

I customize every massage to meet your unique needs. Over my 28 years as a professional bodyworker, I use a variety of techniques to provide you with the best care possible. From deep tissue, to reiki, scar massage and beyond – I’m your guy!

Why Alpaca Massage? Well, alpacas are funny animals and they appeal to my cheesy sense of humor. “I’ll pack a” massage table and bring it to you.

ABOUT ASH

Ash has been a licensed massage therapist since 1995. He graduated from New England Academy of Therapeutic Sciences in Nashua NH, and is most passionate about helping clients with chronic pain. Ash’s interest in bodywork began by chance after a friend recognized his gift and encouraged him to study massage professionally.

In addition to Ash’s talents, he is openly transgender and loves working with the LGBTQIA+ community.

— I believe people should get the most out of life, so helping bodies function better makes perfect sense. Massage isn’t just a job to me – it reflects my values and is my way of making a difference.

One of Ash’s unique offerings is specialized scar massage.

DANNY:

After top surgery, my scars were raised, red, tender to the touch and caused discomfort. In just a few sessions, Ash helped alleviate all these issues! Working with a trans massage therapist made it a stress-free, comfortable and safe environment. It didn’t hurt that I gained an amazing friend along the way.

Scar massage is an excellent treatment after gender affirming top surgery!

Forging long lasting relationships comes naturally to Ash – many of his clients have been seeing him for well over a decade and consider him a lifelong friend.

When Ash is not massaging, you can find him hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire, spending time with friends and family, or hanging out at Buzz Ink building onto his Star Wars themed tattoo collection.

My services

I specialize in myofascial massage, and also offer cupping, gua sha and KT tape. Each treatment is tailored to your needs and I apply a variety of techniques to help you feel your best. For other specialized bodywork or group events, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Myofascial Massage

Neuromuscular massage therapy, also known as myofascial trigger point therapy or myofascial release, is a technique that applies firm, sustained pressure to tight muscle bands, called myofascial trigger points, to relieve tension and improve blood circulation.

This technique is ideal for athletes and those with chronic or acute pain.

Reiki

Reiki is a holistic healing practice that involves the channeling of energy through the hands to promote relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being.I often describe it as “The Force” – the perfect analogy for this Star Wars nerd. During a Reiki session, you typically lie fully clothed, and I place my hands lightly on or near your body, allowing the energy to flow and facilitate a sense of balance and harmony. Many people find reiki to be a soothing and spiritually enriching experience.

scar massage

Raised scars can cause long term discomfort. Many people don’t realize that scar massage can not only help aesthetically, it can alleviate pain and improve overall health. By breaking down and softening the collagen fibers that form during the healing process, the tissue becomes more pliable, reducing its overall thickness and improving appearance. Scar massage improves blood flow, alleviates discomfort and tightness and reduces adhesions.

cupping

Cupping is a therapeutic technique that involves placing special cups on the skin to create suction. This suction pulls the skin and underlying tissues upward into the cups, which can result in a circular bruise-like mark on the skin.

Cupping is often used in traditional Chinese medicine and other cultures for various purposes, including pain relief, relaxation, and the promotion of blood flow and overall well-being. I like to describe it as the “anti massage”, because instead of compressing the muscles we are working to separate the fibers to cause the blood flow.

KT Tape

KT Tape, short for kinesiology tape, is a flexible, elastic adhesive tape used to support muscles and joints without restricting movement. It is commonly used in sports and physical therapy to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and provide additional structural support to injured or overused areas. The tape is applied directly to the skin in specific patterns to aid in injury recovery and enhance athletic performance.

Gua Sha

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese massage therapy technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool, often made of jade or other materials. The gentle scraping motion stimulates blood flow and promotes the release of stagnant energy, known as qi. In massage therapy, gua sha is applied to specific areas of the body to alleviate muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. The technique is known for its ability to leave temporary red or purple marks on the skin, indicating the release of toxins and increased energy flow.

TESTIMONIALS

Joanna

Ash is the best massage therapist I’ve ever had, and I have seen my fair share. I love working out – running, biking, strength training, CrossFit, Barry’s yoga sculpt, eat. — but my muscles get really banged up and are dying for recovery. Ash is the only one who actually finds my source of pain and works it out. If my neck or back are frozen, Ash is my go-to for pain relief and increased mobility. He has helped me recover through acute injuries countless times. I would have a recurring weekly with Ash if I could!

Erin

My wife and I were referred to Ash for massages by friends and we cannot thank them enough. Ash is a highly skilled therapist whose deep knowledge about various muscle groups allows him to assist with pain relief and to provide insight into what is contributing to muscle stiffness (often providing stretches to do in between treatments), while still providing a deep sense of relaxation. Ash is always professional, thoughtful and kind, and I leave each massage feeling so much better! I simply cannot recommend Ash enough.

Jess

Ash consistently demonstrates professionalism and punctuality during appointments. Following each massage session, I experience deep relaxation, and my body is revitalized. Ash has gone above and beyond in delivering a relaxing experience. Beyond relaxation, I’ve also had the opportunity to discuss my knee issues, and Ash provided additional exercises and guidance on using KT tape for running, ultimately leaving my body in a significantly improved state. Thank you for your expertise!

Melissa

I have been getting monthly massages from Ash for the past two years and every massage is always exceptional. It feels like I am two inches taller, 150% more mobile, and like I have had a gallon of tension, knots, and inflammation drained from my body after a massage with Ash. He is professional, kind, easy to talk to, and extremely talented at his job. I cannot recommend Ash enough – he is unequivocally the best massage therapist around!

Mimi

Ash is amazing! I have been getting massages from Ash since the late 2000s and I always feel awesome after massages. He’s able to find trouble spots and really get the kinks out. Since I’ve started getting regular massages from Ash, I’ve stopped getting massages at spas because they just don’t compare. I highly recommend Ash if you have any chronic issues or just need a nice deep tissue massage!

Veronica

Finding a massage therapist I can trust is a challenge for me. I am transgender. I deal with chronic back pain. Furthermore, I have issues with mobility and transportation. Ash has been an absolute godsend. He makes me feel very comfortable, while at the same time quickly identifying my back issues and resolving them. After he comes to visit, I feel great for days.

Caitlin

I’ve been Ash’s client for several years and his friend for even longer. After seeing many different massage therapists, I can say that Ash is the best. As a woman, I usually preferred female massage therapists in the past, but I’ve never felt the least bit uncomfortable with Ash. And he’s damn good at his job. I have a lot of neck pain and migraines, and Ash always makes me feel so much better. Whether you prefer friendly conversation or peaceful silence, deep tissue or relaxation, Ash is the man for you.

Christopher

As an athlete and corporate desk jockey for most of my life, I started seeing Ash for debilitating spine issues that had me searching for surgeons. Flash forward 20 years, still no surgery. And my 3 separate disk issues are all very manageable largely thanks to him.