By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Deep tissue, therapeutic, hot stone, prenatal and sports are all varieties of massages, but do you know what makes them different? Stop by St. Vincent’s One Nineteen for Breakfast with the Expert on Aug. 18, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., to learn this and much more about massages.

Kevin Pitts, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen licensed massage therapist specializing in sports and medical massages, will lead a presentation about different types of massages and the health benefits of each one, such as improved circulation, reduced inflammation and stress reduction. He will also take questions from the audience.

“Massages are defined by the strokes,” Pitts said, noting a sports massage may include more stretching while a Swedish massage utilizes different strokes and pressure.

In addition to explaining the basics of massages, Pitts said he hopes to clear up misconceptions about massages and provide attendees the knowledge they need to determine when a massage will help them and when it will not.

“My goal is to make them feel better and heal without harm,” Pitts said.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen provides a variety of massages, each one tailored to benefit the individual client and their specific needs, Pitts explained.

“We cater what we’re doing for the client, what they want out of the service,” Pitts said. “We draw on our experience, all the tools that we have to cater to the customer.”

After the breakfast presentation and discussion, attendees will be familiar with the massage services offered at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen and “all of our modalities within the massage room,” Pitts said. Attendees will also be equipped with the knowledge to better target and direct their own massage experience.

The Aug. 18 Breakfast with the Expert is free to attend. To reserve a seat for the informational presentation and discussion, call St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 408-6550.