Indian Trail, NC Spa and Massage

The massage therapists at Therapeutic Body Solutions aim to end the adverse effects of stress that lead to premature aging and a host of physical and mental maladies. Their long, rolling Swedish strokes stimulate circulation and ease muscular tension, whereas deep-tissue massages deliver firm, cross-grain strokes to root out muscle knots. Reflexology technique targets specific points on the feet and hands that correspond with certain areas of the body to help boost immunity, calm nerves, or heal inflammation without having to eat a freezer-full of ice packs.

As a native of Trinidad, Marcia M. Speer lives and breathes the serenity of the islands. Her grandfather made a living as a healer there, and he eventually passed down his gift for touch. Marcia called on this gift again and again while attending the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular & Massage Therapy and finally opening My Island Touch, where she draws on her family traditions—as well as her experience as a nursing assistant and an EMT—to nurture her clients' minds, bodies, and souls with massage. She employs Swedish, deep-tissue, and hot-stone techniques to help boost circulation and soften overused muscles. She also calls on marjoram to soothe headaches, lavender to ease anxiety, and romantic comedies to loosen tense tear ducts.

Patrons at Elements Therapeutic Massage pair up with the therapist best qualified to address specific personal issues and concerns. Therapists then spend time with clients, gathering information about their conditions before customizing massages. During the massage, the therapists intuitively blend a variety of modalities, such as deep tissue, Swedish, and trigger-point therapy.

Throughout the process, the therapist keeps communication going. The team uses a system of levels by which clients can communicate the desired level of pressure; level 1 corresponds to long, light strokes over superficial muscles, and level 4 uses some force to root out embedded knots. Through this system, the therapist can get at all depths of tension while remaining well within the client’s comfort zone.

Garo Megherian—owner of Balance By Touch Massage & Rehabilitation—along with five other massage therapists, assesses posture and pain before beginning any treatment. The knowledge gleaned from their analysis allows them to craft custom massages that address each client's unique ailments and goals. White molding and pictures of various muscle groups accent the basil-green walls of the private and couples' massage rooms, which conceal their simple massage tables with blue blankets. As therapists kneads tense muscles, they employ modalities such as Swedish massage, neuromuscular therapy, and reiki. The treatments can curb anxiety and improve sleep, unlike portraits of clowns with eyes that follow one around the room.