Tell us a little bit about Massage Envy Spa.

Massage Envy Spa is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage and spa services to members and guests with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy Spa has more than 1,000 locations in 49 states and more than 1.5 million members. Through its national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, Massage Envy Spa has raised more than $3 million in four, one-day Healing Hands for Arthritis events.

Charles Fisher is owner and operator of four out of the 37 Massage Envy Spas in the region. Along with Massage Envy Spa Fredericksburg, Charles is a franchisee of Massage Envy Spas Stafford, Dumfries and Manassas.

Why get a massage? How does it work?

Massage therapy helps you relax, re-align and rejuvenate. There are many positive aspects to receiving massage therapy on an ongoing basis such as stress relief, relaxation, improved posture and circulation, pain management and more. In fact, The International Journal of Neuroscience studied a group of people with spinal cord injuries who were also suffering from depression. Twice a week for five weeks, half the patients received two 40-minute sessions of motion exercises while the other half received two 40-minute massages. Both groups improved their physical abilities during that time, but the people who received massage therapy also became less depressed.

I've never had a massage. Which one should I try first and what happens when I show up for the appointment?

Many who are new to massage start with a Swedish massage, as it rejuvenates and refreshes while loosening tight muscles. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility.

At the time of your appointment, you will complete a 10-minute wellness consultation with your therapist. Following your session, you will have a few minutes of follow-up to discuss how you feel, how the session went and your therapist will recommend next steps.

What are the types of massages available?

Refer to infographic below: Trigger Point Therapy, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Hot Stone, Prenatal, Geriatric

Which massage works best for extremely tight muscles?

Trigger Point Therapy or Deep Tissue Massage, as the first one relaxes tight muscles to relieve pain and release tension, and the latter targets specific areas to relieve pain and stiffness.

We also suggest adding Deep Muscle Therapy to any session, as our concentrated therapy combines a customized, full-body massage with warming and cooling thermal products to provide deep muscle pain relief from injuries and chronic conditions.

I've heard massage therapy helps with pain management. How?

There's a release of serotonin, which is the body's natural production of anti-pain chemicals. Additionally, an aggravating factor in pain syndromes can be a lack of deep, restorative sleep. Massage is very effective at increasing deep sleep, and with more deep sleep, you have less pain. Massage therapy can improve quality of life by lifting mood as well as managing the pain. When you live with chronic pain, having a toolbox of strategies to turn to for pain relief is important. Massage can be a powerful tool for relaxing both mind and body, especially when you receive it on a regular basis.

I have arthritis. How can massage help me?

Recent studies suggest that massage can help reduce pain and increase mobility in those who suffer from arthritis. At Massage Envy Spa, we offer a Massage Wellness Program to help cope with chronic arthritis pain. Our professional massage therapists help improve joint movement, relax tense muscles and stimulate the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin and underlying tissues. What's more, this relaxation helps break the cycle of pain and stress that often accompanies arthritis.

Why is a Massage Envy Spa Membership beneficial?

Massage Envy Spa makes customized massages, facials and relaxing therapies available to everyone through their affordable Wellness Programs. A Massage Envy Spa Membership means having convenient monthly massages or Murad Healthy Skin facials, easy access to retail products, and exclusive member benefits. In addition to relaxation and stress relief, regular massage therapy has been proven to relieve headaches, treat physical conditions, improve flexibility, and even lower blood pressure. With so many healthy benefits, it's important that massage is seen as more than just a luxury — it is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and wellness routine.