by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer
Callie Bowers has been working as a massage therapist in Central Oregon over two years and has found her niche in Redmond. A business owner and advocate of helping people through massage and body work, Bowers enjoys the community, sunshine and integrity of fellow businesses in the area.
Growing up around Eugene, Bowers did not initially choose massage school out of any particular passion or drive, but as soon as she began diving into the anatomy, physiology and healing benefits of the work, she knew she had made the right decision, “I feel like it’s what I’m meant to do, I like being able to help people with massage.”
Attending Lane Community College in the valley, she became licensed in 2008 after a year of studies. To obtain a massage therapy license in Oregon, students must complete 500 credits with half of the program focused on the science of massage: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, etc, and the other half focused on hands-on therapy: learning different techniques and methods of massage. To keep a massage therapy license active in Oregon, therapists must take 25 hours of continuing education every two years; Bowers has taken additional training in hot stone massage, trigger point work and Thai foot reflexology.
Bowers’ specialty is deep tissue massage, being drawn towards the “good” hurt and healing qualities of trying to get the muscles to release through more pressure than your typical relaxation massage. A definition of deep tissue states, “This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two.”
Bowers has been working with patients who have been involved in car accidents as massage can be very important immediately following this type of trauma, “Even if the car accident a small one, people may not feel pain right away, people come in even 20 years later with problems related to an earlier accident. In Oregon people have up to a year to make a claim,” she explains.
“I like medical massage and want to keep my training there. Massage can also serve to prevent injuries in the future,” said Bowers. The more healthy the tissue is, the more flexible it is; massage can help increase circulation and keep the muscles in a good flowing and working order.
Bowers moved to Redmond in early 2009 and began working at the spa in Black Butte Ranch. She has always wanted a practice of her own, so later that year opened an office in Redmond. Looking at almost two years as a business owner, she says the move has been worth it even though she just recently has been able to focus solely on her practice without picking up extra work at local spas.
“I feel like I’m in the perfect place, in Bend I may have been lost in the mix.” Clients say they have enjoyed her current office space as it is very quiet. She has worked to make the space relaxing and inviting through hanging fabric on the ceiling, using lamp light instead of overhead lights, and investing in a water fountain.
Bowers feels offering reasonable prices is important to staying open in Redmond. New clients always get $20 off the first massage and she offers package deals that also offer a discount on services. She offers anywhere from 30 minutes treatments to two hours, as well as a Raindrop Technique that uses essential oils and reflexology on the spine. She will do chair massages at different events around town and also travels to different businesses to provide services at the request of employers. Bowers always consults with each client on their history to determine if an individual has a specific focus or need for their massage.
This fall she will offer a Far Infared Sauna. This type of sauna is dry and uses carbon heaters to help penetrate the heat deeper into the muscles to help relaxation and detoxification. Having clients use the sauna before a massage will allow her to be more efficient and effective as muscles will already be warm and relaxed.
Bowers encourages people to explore the benefits of massage in both preventing and healing injuries and believes once a month visits can help maintain a healthy body without being too costly for a modest budget.
515 SW Cascade Ave, Suite 4, Redmond. 541-912-4333. callienbowers@live.com.
