Vital Living - A Monthly Newsletter

Spring is the season of opening up, movement, and stretching out after the long winter’s nap. If you are like me, the first long walk on the oceanfront, or in the back woods of First Landing State Park reminded me that my body had been rooting in rest a bit more than I had realized during the winter. The perfect solution to my aching body was a 90 minute massage! Read on to learn about why we believe this particular form of therapy is an essential part of vital living!

What is massage?

Massage involves a variety of techniques, from light stroking to deep pressure, used to press, rub, and manipulate the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is a broad term generally recognized as a component of integrative medicine. But that only tells part of the story. Massage also works to manipulate the fascial system, the webbing of connective tissue throughout the body, it moves stagnant lymph to help the body relieve itself of toxins and fluid build up, and is an ally for other health practitioners, personal trainers, physical therapists, as well as Yoga and Pilates instructors. We all work as a team to optimize your health. 

How often should I get a massage?

This is a great question. You should work with your massage therapist and health care team to find the right frequency for you and to address any problem you are trying to solve. Each person has different needs and good providers will guide you for the best outcome for you personally.  

How do I find the right massage therapist?

Like choosing other health care professionals, it's important to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist. Ask your primary care provider, chiropractor, trainor, or someone else you trust to recommend a reputable business or therapist.

Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist questions such as:

• Are you licensed, certified or registered?

• What is your training and experience?

• Where can I find your reviews?

• What are your specialties and style?

Massage therapy is a powerful tool for taking charge of your health and well-being, whether you're managing a specific health condition or simply seeking stress relief. It's safe and effective for people of all ages and is more than just an indulgence.

A good therapist has a vast repertoire of techniques and will customize and adjust them based on your individual needs and feedback.

Meet our therapists.

The Beauty Tree is very blessed to have attracted some of the area’s most sought after talent in the industry. All of our providers are 5 star rated therapists on Google, Yelp, and Vagaro. They all bring different talents and abilities to the table. 

Laura Ajtony - Laura is our triple threat! With a wealth of experience, an Associates Degree in Applied Science with three licensed specialties.  Laura is a Virginia Licensed and Board Certified Massage Therapist with a very customized approach to the body utilizing deep tissue release techniques where needed and relaxation triggers in other areas.  She is a Licensed Nail Technician and Professional Esthetician as well.  Her well rounded education and approach to healing arts are ideal to help you live beautifully and age naturally.

Mary Mitchell - Mary is a Kansas native who moved to VB in 2022, Mary brought with her skills specializing in Swedish and Therapeutic Massage; State-Of-The-Art Moderated Cupping, Reflexology & Plantar Fasciitis Relief Footwork, Myofascial Release and more.  As an IIN Certified Health Coach and NASM Fitness & Nutrition Specialist, Mary's approach to wellness is broad spectrum.  

She attended the Cayce Reilly School of Massage to further her education in the healing arts and continues to expand into specialty modalities such as CranioSacral relief therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and more.  She is a Fibromyalgia pain management massage specialist incorporating several tools & skills that reach beyond the traditional MT modalities, diagnostic ability & sensitivity to client needs.  

Ryan Bergstresser - A military veteran and a highly skilled Massage Therapist, trained at The A.R.E. with 10 years of experience as a practitioner. Ryan is nationally licensed and he is proficient in reflexology, Swedish massage, and deep tissue techniques. His passion for helping others and dedication to providing exceptional service have allowed him to develop a strong client base and achieve outstanding results. Ryan is committed to creating a relaxing and therapeutic experience for each client, tailored to their specific needs and preferences. 

Allyson Franklin - Allyson, a licensed massage therapist who absolutely LOVES what she does. A graduate of Indiana Wellness College. Being visually impaired, she has naturally developed a heightened sense of touch, allowing  her to perform detailed, intuitive work. This gives her a unique and personal understanding of how powerful touch can be in healing the body and spirit. Every session is customized to your specific needs. As a pain management expert for body, mind and spirit, she combines her training in deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, reflexology, cupping, assisted stretching, reiki, pre/postnatal, and lymphatic drainage massages to help you find relief and balance. Her goal is to support your overall wellbeing through each session. Massage therapy is her true passion and she is dedicated to continually learning and growing. 

We are committed to the health, vitality, and wellness of this community and all of our beloved travelers who are passing through. Our doors are open, our tables are warmed and comfy, and we are ready to serve you. As we say in the south, come sit a spell, take a breath, drink a cup of tea and get an amazing massage! See you soon. 

In health ~ Cynthia Cipperly Owner, The Beauty Tree Spa.