New Richland Masseuse kneads out the knots

Emma Olson, owner of Sanctuary of Serenity massage in New Richland, has a question for people who think of massage as a luxury: “Would you rather be dealing with wellness or illness?”

 

Olson has been a masseuse since 2019, when she completed the massage therapy program at LaJames College in Mason City. She chose the profession, she says, because she has known since childhood, when others gave her compassionate, loving care during an illness, that she wants to give a similar sense of comfort, safety and wellbeing to others.

 

It seems to be working, since Olson says one of her customers has called her “an angel,” another described feeling “reborn,” and nearly all express gratitude and satisfaction. “People tell me I have really good hands,” says Olson with a smile.

 

She speculates her hands probably have become stronger and more agile thanks to the many ways they are moved and positioned during the various types of massages.

 

Olson charges $30 for a 30-minute typical massage during which, unless the person requests any changes, she touches on the back, arms, legs, feet and face.

 

Customers, she explains, usually schedule themselves using the Sanctuary of Serenity Facebook page. The sign-up process includes completing a questionnaire on which people provide information which will guide how the massage will go. The form asks whether people have any sore areas, whether there are any areas they want left untouched, and whether they have any special requests.

 

“Massages aren’t the same for everybody,” Olson comments. “I always ask whether they have something they want me to pay special attention to. We figure out what we should do to make it the best possible.” Adaptations often focus on discoveries made along the way. “I ask people ‘What happened to this spot?’ or ‘Why do you think this spot hurts?’” Olson explains.

 

Cranial and prenatal massages are two examples of specialized sessions she offers.

 

During the massage, Olson uses carefully selected lotions and heated towels to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Her custom massage table has a “face cradle” so customers can lie flat when facing downward.

 

Training to become a masseuse, she describes, begins with a fairly intensive study of the body’s muscles and the ways they interact to allow movement. Learners also cover pathology to help them recognize developing problems. Her hands acquired much of their strength, she can’t help speculating, when the group covered “reflexology,” which involves applying pressure to spots on the body’s surface which are known to connect with internal functions.

 

The soles of the feet, for example, are said to have about 7,000 nerve endings which, when stimulated, can affect digestion, the sinuses, respiratory function, and more. “Our bodies are amazing,” observes Olson. Along with that,

 

“Touch is very powerful.”

 

She explains that, at the same time muscles are being relaxed and knots are being worked out, the brain is releasing “the feel-good hormone” serotonin, which moves throughout the body and naturally elevates a person’s mood.

 

Olson invites anyone interested to get more information by contacting her through the Sanctuary of Serenity Facebook page.