Rachel Thomas (LMBT 19236)

About

Rachel Thomas grew up in north central Florida, spending childhood summers with her grandparents in Western North Carolina before moving to the area in 2016. When life in the mountains settled, Rachel decided to pursue a career that would allow her to help members of the community while also supporting her family. Her creative, hands-on nature led Rachel to the field of bodywork and massage therapy.

In November of 2020, Rachel became a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist in North Carolina after graduating from the Western North Carolina School of Massage in Asheville. She is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association and has certifications in Clinical Neuromuscular Therapy and Swedish massage. Rachel has additional training in practical cupping therapy, Gua Sha, and prenatal massage.

Rachel believes massage therapy is an integral component of any health & wellness program. Research continues to show that massage is one of the best treatments for stress and untreated stress is one of the biggest risk factors for many of today's debilitating diseases.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys yoga, gardening, thrifting, and spending time with her partner, children, and pets.

Treatment

Rachel strives to provide a restorative, client-focused massage experience. She will assist clients in identifying and executing their bodywork needs and goals, and implement a personalized massage using a combination of modalities.

Below are some descriptions of commonly known massage styles that Rachel may use.

Swedish massage: a traditional manual therapy that emphasizes long strokes, kneading, vibration, and friction motions to encourage proper circulation, promote relaxation, and ease muscle tension.

Deep tissue massage: centers on realigning the deeper layers of connective and muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the tense areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Neuromuscular therapy/Trigger point therapy: Trigger points are sore, painful spots—also called knots—found in muscles. These knots are sensitive and when pressure is applied, it produces pain in a different part of your body. Neuromuscular therapy is a highly-specialized form of manual therapy that corrects pain and dysfunction by treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and connective tissue patterns.

Myofascial Release: is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.

ADD ONS

These unique applications are available at an additional cost per session:

CBD Full Body Treatment: Nourish and soften your skin with 500mg of true full spectrum CBD in a moisturizing salve. A little goes a long way with this balanced blend of organic ingredients including hemp, essential oils, menthol, and arnica. This combination of plants feels stimulating and cooling to the skin, providing for a deeply rejuvenating session.

Cupping treatment: A soft tissue technique using silicone cups to create an area of suction against the skin. The cups may be left stationary or used with movement. The benefits of cupping may include a decrease in client’s perception of pain and disability and increases in range of motion when there is a restriction present. Contraindications may exist for this treatment; anyone seeking cupping therapy should discuss this with the therapist first.

Gua Sha: A traditional Chinese medicine technique of applying pressure to and scraping the skin with a special, smooth-edged tool. It is meant to expand blood vessels, and depending on how much pressure is applied, cause tiny, red spots called petechiae. These spots are only temporary, lasting between a few hours to a few days. Potential benefits of this treatment may include improved blood flow to the treated area, reduced pain perception, and reduced inflammation. Contraindications may exist for this treatment; anyone seeking gua sha should discuss this with the therapist first.

Booking

New clients are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to their first appointment in order to allow time for intake paperwork and to discuss a treatment plan. In order to reduce waiting time, the New Client Intake Form is available for you to print, complete, and bring to the office on your first visit, if you wish.

Available for private events. Contact for pricing and availability.

POLICIES

Covid-19 Policies

To help mitigate the spread of Covid-19, masks are required during treatment for all clients, regardless of vaccination status.

Clients that present proof of up-to-date Covid-19 vaccination status may receive extended facial and/or intraoral massage, as indicated.

Modified Cancellation Policy: If you develop a fever or symptoms of illness or have knowingly been exposed to Covid-19 prior to your appointment, please call to let me know and I will cancel your appointment without charging a fee.

Cancellation Policy

Clients are responsible for giving 24-hour notice to reschedule or cancel an appointment prior to the appointment time. If less than 24-hour notice is given, the client will be charged half of their service fee.

If the client fails to give any notice at all, the missed appointment will be considered a No-Show and the full service fee will be charged.

Informed Consent

Prior to each session, the treatment plan will be discussed with you. By scheduling your first visit, you will be expressing verbal consent for services and agree to comply with the professional massage therapy practices and the policies and procedures.

Professional Boundaries

Sexual interaction or sexual discussion of any kind between the client and the massage therapist is NOT tolerated. Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities under the guidelines of the massage therapy policies and procedures. For the protection of the therapist and client, we reserve the right to end a massage session at any time. In the event that a massage session is ended due to client inappropriate behavior, the client will be charged for the entire session.

Existing and New Medical Conditions

It is the responsibility of the client to keep the therapist informed of any medical treatment or prescriptions they are currently undergoing and to provide written permission from a physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc., that massage may be received.

Age Requirement

Any child under the age of 18 is required to have a parent or legal guardian sign a Minor Consent Form and be present during the treatment session.

Contact

Address

1101 N Main Street
Suite #8
Waynesville, NC 28786

Parking is located at the rear of the building. The main entrance faces Galloway Street and Buckner Art Gallery.

Call or Text

(828) 581-9598

Or fill out this form and I will get back to you.

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