The door of Peaceful Soul Natural Massage in Bakersville. (MNJ photo/Ariana Maniatis)
BAKERSVILLE – Peaceful Soul Natural Massage, a new massage therapy practice, has made its way to Bakersville.
Owner Lena McEachern, a registered nurse, saw the benefits of massage firsthand before she opened her practice.
“I got started really when I was a floor nurse,” McEachern said. “I just noticed the difference that massage made with my clients or patients at that time. It helped with the pain. It helped with their anxiety and decreased their use of pain medication, as well.”
McEachern found through research and schooling that massage therapy can decrease heart and blood pressure, improve circulation, increase energy and reduce stress. Then, she knew it was something people in the area could benefit from.
“I had used it more in the home health setting and just kind of came back to it while teaching nursing students and trying to give them another tool to use,” McEachern said. “I did a lot of research and decided to go back to school for it.”
Since stress contributes to multiple health issues, it is McEachern’s mission to help others reduce their anxiety and stress levels through her practice.
McEachern returned to school after her time as a registered nurse to study massage therapy at Mayland Community College, an experience she said was extremely valuable.
“I think where we live in this community, this is just the most beautiful place,” McEachern said. “We are so fortunate to have Mayland. I went there for nursing and came back for massage therapy.
“I love Mayland. They give people the opportunity to go back and do anything. You can do anything, you just have to want it bad enough. It lets me be able to feel like I am helping people again.”
McEachern uses natural, non-toxic products such as massage cream, oil and cleaning products because of the negative effect environmental toxins have on health. She also urges everyone to try massage therapy and get pampered to release stress.
“If someone doesn’t want to see me, there are wonderful massage therapists in the tri-counties,” she said. “I believe in reducing stress and anxiety and if I can’t help them, someone else can.”
To make an appointment, email peacefulsoulnatural@yahoo.com