Morrisville, NC Spa and Massage

Licensed therapist Michael LePard combines a mastery of therapeutic-massage techniques with a passion for energy and polarity work. The result is a type of therapy all his own—one that he has taken to calling “intuitive deep-tissue massage.” During his therapeutic massages, LePard methodically pushes and pulls at soft tissue in such a way that he can both relieve chronic aches and reduce the amount of residual pain felt after the treatment. His arsenal of modalities isn’t limited to this specialty technique; he can also soothe away aches with gentle Swedish strokes or melt away ice cubes lodged between muscles with a hot-stone massage.

Kristine Pita entered the world of massage by accident. According to a 2011 interview with WCHL Radio, she was working as a fitness instructor for a wellness center when she noticed that one of the on-site massage therapist's shoulders was hurting. She sprung into action, and her nimble fingers quickly honed in on the source of the tension, causing the tension to melt away. Impressed, the massage therapist suggested Kristine study massage therapy, a piece of advice that would ultimately lead to the creation of Spa Massage By Kristine and Wellness Associates.

There, Kristine and two other licensed massage therapists address aches and pains with multiple massage techniques, including hot stones and reflexology. They've also branched out from kneading muscles with services such as facials and waxing, but relaxation still remains their primary focus—a fact that is reinforced by the nature-inspired artwork and soothing hues in the spa’s private rooms.

Larisa Lavrinova sharpened her skills as an aesthetician while working for high-end spas in North and South Carolina. After receiving certifications in various types of medical and natural skincare, she founded The Russian Day Spa, where tired skin finds its second wind with the help of natural and organic products. Her team of specialists performs a variety of facials that have different effects on skin: the European facial deeply cleanses pores, the Elasto-firm facial tightens skin, and the SpaTeen blemished-skin facial prevents breakouts. Visitors can also smooth epidermal expanses with naturally derived acid peels or waxing treatments that use low-temperature wax enriched with jojoba oil.

After two years of undergraduate study, Amanda Martin decided to suspend her education at East Carolina University to pursue a career that applied her passion for nurturing others. She graduated from the Aveda Institute Chapel Hill aesthetics program in May 2011 and opened a small practice inside Carrboro Massage Therapy. Martin oversees a menu of facials that use Lemongrass Spa skincare products and body-waxing services that employ Plum Smooth amber soft wax, which is specially designed to remove hair from large areas of the body and prepare bearskin rugs for swimsuit season. Private treatment rooms soothe clients with pale yellow walls and purple décor.

With more than a decade of experience, certified massage therapist Carol Ann Holcombe assuages muscular stress with massages in a variety of soothing modalities. Holcombe's nimble fingertips dance across problem areas during massage types including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, and prenatal. With specialties that include eradicating headaches and quelling neck pain, Carol works with clients to provide targeted treatment or lull entire bodies into a tranquil trance. After a massage, patrons receive tips on maintaining healthy living through stretches, lifestyle practices, and transmogrifying candy into vegetables.

Licensed cosmetologist Jessica Whipple sculpts chic hairstyles and adds color to monochrome ‘dos. At the start of each appointment, Jessica gets to know clients and their style preferences before she snips away split ends while stoically ignoring their cries for help. For a chromatic overhaul, the colorist slathers strands in Paul Mitchell products that, because they contain only small doses of ammonia, leave hair nearly as healthy as when it rolled off the assembly line.