Licensed massage therapist Jessica Barney is trying to make a difference in the lives of veterans—one million veterans to be exact.
Barney, the owner of Oasis Wellness Therapies, located in Appearances Day Spa, has partnered with Hands for Heroes, a nationwide organization of healthcare professionals who donate their time to help veterans by providing therapeutic bodywork at no cost.
Possibly inspired by her veteran grandfather, she reached out to the organization after hearing about it from another therapist. Now, she even gets referrals from the Veterans Administration.
“I work closely with the VA. I offer four massages for free each month…I’m booked for September and have a waiting list,” she told the Daily Courier Observer.
After one of these sessions, she notifies Hands for Heroes that they are one session closer to their goal of one million.
According to the Observer, Barney says the “sessions help release the body’s endorphins, which can relax muscles and help those with post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The massage therapist first conducts an initial intake in which she learns the veteran’s history. During the session, she plays soft music and uses therapy gel, and sometimes hot stone massage therapy, which can help a client’s body detox.
“The heat really relaxes the muscles. I usually focus on certain areas like the neck and shoulders,” Barney, who is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage (FLSM), says in the interview.
She’s certified in hot stone massage therapy, reiki, and advanced prenatal massage, but says hot stone is her speciality.
While working for the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce she decided to change paths and go to school to become a massage therapist.
“I had some medical issues and massage really helped me,” she told the Observer. “It’s something I’m really passionate about. I’ve had a few massages here and there and I’ve really felt the benefits. Massage really helped me. I felt less stress. I said there’s something to this, and I decided this is what I wanted to do.”
Chiropractor Nathan Witkop encouraged her decision to attend massage therapy school. She then enrolled in FLSM and attended the school’s Ithaca campus for one year.
So what else does the future hold for this massage therapy school graduate?
“I’m possibly going to the world massage championships in Denmark in June,” she said.
We can’t wait.