Published: October 05, 2008 02:12 am      

Somatic Wellness Massage Therapy now open

WHITE HALL — Massage therapists Lois and Mike Foster are “totally sold” on the medical benefits of massage therapy.

They recently took over Touch of Health, which Matt Dalton owned and operated for several years at the Haven of Healing Arts building in White Hall.

The Fosters officially acquired Dalton’s share of the business on July 1. They now run their business, called Somatic Wellness Massage Therapy, at that same location, which is 2831 White Hall Blvd. They also live in the Fairmont area.

Lois and Mike received their initial massage therapy certifications from Garrett College in McHenry, Md., and have also studied at the Pennsylvania Institute of Massage Therapy and Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy.

The husband-and-wife team has been doing massage therapy for more than two years. They previously operated Somatic Wellness “on a much smaller scale” out of their former home in Preston County. Lois also rented space in Morgantown and worked with a couple other massage therapists there.

The Fosters, who both have chronic pain, are consumers of massage therapy and find it very beneficial. They have a personal desire to maintain their own health, and they found a way to pass that onto others with their business.

“We are full believers in manual body work as a way to facilitate healing and treat chronic pain,” Lois said. “Pain medication isn’t always the answer. There are so many dimensions to body work. It is absolutely nontoxic to the human body. It really does address the pain quite effectively.”

Massage therapy can also help with anxiety and depression, she said.

Somatic Wellness Massage Therapy provides specific medical massages. Lois’ certification is in orthopedic massage, which addresses chronic pain, joint restrictions, limited range of motion, and sports injuries. With her clients, she uses a 12-point protocol according to Waslaski to address chronic pain.

Mike is certified to do manual lymphatic drainage massage according to the Dr. Vodder method, which is for people who suffer from adema and excessive swelling. It’s specifically useful for women who have had a mastectomy and have noticed swelling in the arms, Lois said.

“I believe that there are very few massage therapists that have that kind of training in the state,” she said of herself and her husband.

Although the couple focuses on medical massage, they also offer massage for rest and relaxation. These relaxation massages include deep tissue, Swedish and hot stone.

Lois and Mike try to stay up-to-date by pursuing high-quality continuing education courses from leading teachers in the industry. They focus on invoking the healing process within the body, Lois said.

“I like the fact that I can have a positive impact on somebody’s life and totally change them,” she said. “I know it can absolutely change their quality of life. I know that if they have a chronic pain I’ll be able to alleviate some of the suffering. I can facilitate the body’s natural ability to heal itself.”

The business is full time for Lois and part time for Mike, who also works a day job. Chrissy Zeltner is a partner at the Haven of Healing Arts.

Lois said Somatic Wellness accepts insurance, and also sometimes rewards people with discounts and specials.

“We’re very hopeful,” she said of the business. “It has a lot of potential, and more and more doctors are becoming aware of the value and they recommend that their patients get a massage treatment for a specific issue.”

Somatic Wellness can also do on-site chair massages. Lois has several corporate clients who use the massages as an employee incentive program.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 288-8767 or e-mail lois.foster@somaticwellnessmt.com. Visit Somatic Wellness Massage Therapy online at www.somaticwellnessmt.com.

E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.