Wendy Kay Arnold, a recent honors graduate of the massage therapy program at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, will open Rainy Lake Massage Therapy and Wellness Center in the Citizens for Backus/AB Room 212, in International Falls.
“I am so proud and so happy that can I support the community and the Backus,” Arnold said.
Therapeutic massage is soft tissue manipulation that she said is proven to reduce stress, improve circulation and relieve muscle tension. Arnold will offer half hour and one hour sessions of Swedish massage, which involves five therapeutic deep tissue variations of light touch, kneading, friction, rhythmic and vibration techniques.
“Massage releases the body’s natural healing agents,” she said. “It is a feeling of total relaxation and rejuvenation.”
Most people know that massage therapy is about skin and muscle manipulation that can help with sore tendons, ligaments, joints and even major organs. However, it is also credited with reducing anxiety and depression by lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
“Every client is different and I work with their individual needs,” she said.
Arnold said that her mission statement is to give her clients “the best customer service possible.” She starts with a hot cup of herbal tea and a soothing foot soak in warm water, all while conducting the health evaluation.
This is part of a holistic multi-sensory experience that she describes as a “mind, body and spirit connection.”
Arnold studied general anatomy, pathology, physiology, kinesiology, medical terminology and ethics in her courses. She also learned first aid and CPR.
After completing additional training, she plans to add other techniques, such as Shiatsu and reflexology, which are forms of acupressure, using the thumb and fingers at key points to relieve stress and bring balance and energy. She will sometimes use hot stones with those techniques and also plans to add aroma therapy.
She uses several types of oils and lotions that depend on the technique and the client. She also adjusts the temperature, lighting and music to make the setting conducive to relaxation.
“Massage Therapy focuses on the normalization of soft tissues affected by stress, injury, and illness through the use of manual techniques that improve circulation, enhance muscular relaxation, relieve pain, reduce stress, enhance immune function, and promote health and well-being,” she added.
Arnold is a 1985 graduate of Falls High School and ran a cleaning business in Idaho for about 10 years before returning to start something different.
“I always wanted to get into something where I could help people,” she said. “Massage therapy is a perfect way to start my own business and where I can help and heal people.
“It all came together,” she added. “I have a natural tendency to want to help others and it has further uplifted my spirits.”
For information call Wendy Kay Arnold at Rainy Lake Massage, phone 324-2199 or visit online at www.rainylakemassagetherapy.com.
