Carrboro, NC Spa and Massage

Seven years serving as a medical assistant spurred Nichole Honeycutt—a graduate of the Natural Touch School of Massage and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association—to embrace the preventative philosophies of holistic therapy, which she honed doling out massages in a spa and later a chiropractic clinic. From hushed massage rooms, where soft music, naturally hued walls, and table plants channel tranquility onto the plush beds, Nichole lavishes tense muscles with the oils and long, flowing strokes of Swedish massage. Other modalities include the bamboo fusion massage, which relies on heat to alleviate stress and relieve muscles sore from arm wrestling jammed slot machines. Couples massage classes, energy work, and invigorating salt and sugar scrubs augment the menu of massage services.

At Body Language Therapeutic Massage, Yolanda Watson puts to use a degree in massage therapy as well as national and state certifications. All that training has instilled in her knowledge of modalities such as Swedish, deep-tissue, and sports massage. Yolanda also uses her certification in prenatal massage and craniosacral therapy to soothe expectant mothers and balance the nerves and fluids associated with the spine and skull. Smooth stones soak up warmth in the treatment rooms, and aromatherapy oils allow Yolanda to incorporate more senses. When she isn't working in her studio, Yolanda hosts parties and spa days and even travels to clients' homes to give them massages without forcing them to admit they are super glued to their furniture.

Whether they're soothing sore muscles or working out stubborn knots, Body Language Therapeutic Massage's therapists Yolanda Watson and Lydia Bell put their extensive training and certifications to use every time they meet a client. The massage center's menu of modalities includes traditional Swedish, deep-tissue, and sports massages, as well as specialized treatments such as prenatal massage and craniosacral therapy. During hot-stone bodywork sessions, smooth stones soak up warmth before triggering relaxation and increasing circulation. The center also treats other senses to a rejuvenating day, soothing minds and bodies alike with aromatherapy sessions powered by plant-based essential oils. When they aren't working in the studio, Yolanda and Lydia host parties and spa days and even travel to clients' homes to give them massages without forcing them to admit they are super glued to their furniture.

Megan McDonald discovered her passion for massage therapy during high school, where her role as a student athletic trainer required her to untangle the knotted muscles of ailing athletes. After high school, she attended Johnson & Wales University, but she couldn’t shake her desire to pursue a career in massage. With this calling in mind, she enrolled in a massage-therapy program at Southeastern Institute just three days after her college graduation. As a certified therapist, she now relieves chronic stress and strain with massage techniques such as Swedish, neuromuscular, sports, and deep tissue. Megan also offers mobile- and chair-massage services for clients who prefer to stay at home or own chairs in need of a massage.

Although soothing, massages aren’t just for relaxation—their benefits range from increased circulation to injury prevention. Licensed therapist Shannon Hester understands this, tailoring his services to fit the individual needs of his clients. Relying on an arsenal of modalities and techniques, he painstakingly expunges knots and alien probes cleverly disguised as knots. At Wellness Associates of Chapel Hill, Hester works alongside colleagues Duncan McChesney and Kristine Pita, who tap into their massage-therapy backgrounds to rejuvenate clients.