COLUMBUS — A 2004 graduate of Mississippi State University, Kyndle Powell, 26, and her dogs, Max and Gabie, live in Columbus, where she works as both a hairdresser and a massage therapist, putting to good use her bachelor”s degree in business and marketing and her credentials as a licensed cosmetologist by helping to relax and heal local residents of the stresses of their everyday lives and more.
When did you become interested in being a massage therapist and why?
My license in cosmetology actually sparked my interest in massage. After two degrees, I was done with school. But who was I kidding? I ended up following my heart and became a massage therapist. In taking this slightly different path to health and beauty, I have really come to love my job. Knowing that the talents that God has given me are being used to help heal others is an amazing feeling.
What kind of training did you receive? How does someone become a massage therapist?
I attended the Natural Healing Arts School of Massage Therapy in Tupelo. The courses I received were nine-month night classes, Mondays through Thursdays. Massage therapy is a true blessing that allows your hands and heart to touch people in ways you will never imagine. Although, it always helps to have the guidance of very educated therapists helping you.
How long have you worked at your current place of business, Serenity Now?
Serenity Now was a previously established business for four years. Melissa Bond was the owner and began her business downtown. In January, Melissa and I went into business together. She and I are very good friends and work as a team to make Serenity Now the escape that our clients are looking for.
What are some of the more unusual things clients have asked of you as a massage therapist?
When you enter the field of massage therapy, you have to be very aware and cautious of your entire demeanor. Not only running a professional business, but having a trustworthy clientele, has allowed for some very humbling experiences. I, fortunately, have not had any experiences that have ever been strange.
What is the most popular type of massage requested?
We offer a variety of massages designed to cater to clients” specific needs. We offer a Swedish massage for those who are looking for relaxation or for first timers. You have the hot stone massage that can be added to any massage to help aid in relaxation, the release of muscle tension and for clients with fibromyalgia. We also have the deep tissue massage, with the means to address neck and shoulder discomfort caused by many different reasons, as well as helping release tension within the muscles. The deep tissue is among the favorite and has become the most popular. People are becoming much more aware of their bodies and their health.
What percentage of your clients request massages for medical or therapeutic purposes, as opposed to those who want a massage simply to help them relax?
I try to create a relaxing atmosphere, while trying to focus on the problematic areas with increased pressure. The atmosphere at Serenity Now is very calming and peaceful, allowing most clients, even when having severe discomfort, to relax. While many of our clients visit us for medical or therapeutic reasons, we do have those who come for pure relaxation.
What should people who have never received a massage know about visiting a massage therapist?
Massages should be relaxing and the client should always feel comfortable. At Serenity Now, we always do our utmost to ensure that, with proper draping techniques and professional therapists, even the beginners will feel at ease. It is always recommended that, after receiving a massage, one should rehydrate the body with plenty of water. Some clients who have never experienced a massage before might feel a bit of soreness the following day. This is all very normal and is usually caused by muscles being worked that have not been worked before. However, we always keep in contact with our clients if they have discomfort.
What do you find most rewarding about being a massage therapist?
Being a massage therapist has so many unique benefits. Easing or relieving a client of the pain that they are experiencing is a wonderful feeling. Helping a client restore their range of motion or being part of a healing process from injuries or surgeries are always (rewarding). And, in that process, you can find that there are some that can be a real challenge. But when you finally have a client smiling and free or lessened of pain, it makes it all worthwhile. Throughout the day, when a client is on my table, this might be the only time they have to relax and calm their mind and body.
Massage has many benefits. It helps to alleviate low-back pain, relieve migraine pain, lessen depression and anxiety, release tension caused by stress, improve circulation, reduce spasm and cramping and many, many other ways to improve your health.
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