Massage offers complete relaxation at the JCC
[By Niki King, PR Specialist]
Breathe in, breathe out. Prepare to relax.
This winter, the JCC is ramping up its massage program and more fully integrating it into the center’s health and wellness services.
Tara Stone, assistant director of membership and wellness, said members can expect to see massage offered as a package with other services, such as personal training, which will provide a premium, customized experience at highly competitive prices.
The massage rooms, located in the lower level of the fitness area, are also getting a facelift with new paint, curtains and other touches.
Stone said it makes perfect sense to increase the profile of massage at the JCC as massage has so many health benefits, such as relaxation, pain management, increasing range of motion, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Tim Grady, licensed massage therapist at the JCC, agreed. He consults carefully with each client to customize for them the massage experience they’re looking for, he said.
For example, he might do a deep-tissue, Swedish massage for someone who is working out hard and wants to relieve muscle tension. Or, he can create a massage that targets particular ailments such as lower back pain or a frozen shoulder. He said people can even enjoy full-body benefits from a hand and foot massage.
“It’s a complementary service for the full health and well-being of a person, right along with nutrition and exercise,” he said.
In his private business, called The Gift of Touch, Grady works with patients of Hospice and special populations such as the elderly, or those suffering from cancer, Alzheimer or dementia and their care-givers.
Licensed since 2000, his early work included several family members who were cancer patients, including his own father, who was a cancer patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Grady experienced the first-hand benefits of hands-on comfort touch while recuperating from prostate cancer.
He said he was drawn to working at the JCC because he’s been a member for 33 years, raising his family of three daughters here.
“I always liked the idea of a full-service JCC,” he said. And, he liked the diversity of the client base here, as people at the JCC have a variety of massage needs.
He makes all his massage oils himself, matching them to each massage, like peppermint for someone looking to feel energized or lavender for relaxation.
“I try to create a full mind, body and spirit experience for each client from beginning to end,” he said.
Chair massages will be offered soon in the fitness area during peak hours of the morning and evening for people looking for a quick fix or for those who’d like to try out massage to see if it’s for them. Chair massages will kickoff from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. December 8 during the Cycle for Good event.
To schedule a massage, contact the JCC Health and Wellness Desk at 238-2727. Holiday gift cards are also available and can be purchased in any denomination.