For your Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health & Well-being - September 2004

Massage for Everyone
Susette DeCoster-Weisheit, LMT

Susette’s Massage & Body Work is a Moab-based massage business I started in 2002, after completing my massage studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Scherer Institute of Natural Healing. I came to Moab, Utah in 1990 and began a career as a wilderness river and land guide. I worked in this industry for 12 years and spent much of that time educating people about the needs of our environment and what role their lifestyles play in the health of the earth. Now, as a nationally certified, licensed massage therapist, I find that my role has not changed significantly, though the physical work has changed. I continue educating people, teaching them about their bodies and what roles their lifestyles play in their health.

Everyone can attain health benefits from professional massage, no matter your age; all find that a massage can have special applications suited for their individual needs. Today the term massage therapy spans a wide variety of approaches and techniques; however, this ever evolving means of personal care allows an individual to maintain and improve their health and well-being. Before making an appointment it’s helpful to understand some massage terminology. Massage and body work techniques are a hands-on manipulation of muscles and other soft tissues of the body, while therapeutic touch and energy work techniques are used to balance the energy fields of the body and do not necessarily require hands-on work. It is important to clearly identify your goals for each session with the therapist so that your specific needs can be met and you will know what techniques might be used.

During my sessions, I blend various massage, body work, and therapeutic and energy techniques to address each individual’s needs both physical, mental and emotional; connecting the body, mind and heart to promote health, balance and healing. All of my sessions provide a safe environment in which to relax, reduce mental stress, and receive a caring, nurturing touch and a better understanding of your body. Massage sessions are designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow, move metabolic wastes out of tissues and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. Massage sessions are generally 60 to 120 minutes in length and utilize massage creams and oils that allow for gliding strokes and reduce friction on the skin. Body work sessions are designed to address specific injuries, chronic holding patterns (such as posture problems), repetitive stress injuries, chronic body stress, soft tissue disorders and connective tissue (fascia) release. Body work sessions are 90 to 120 minutes in length and utilize water and massage creams that help increase friction for specific deep tissue work that requires slower movements.

Though doing massage full-time has brought me indoors more, I will always love being in the wilderness. While guiding trips over the past 2 years I have been developing methods that allow me to use my massage skills on wilderness trips. This combining of my love for doing massage with my guiding skills and my passion for the outdoors has provided me a continued means of exploring and sharing nature, while educating people on their connectedness with our environment.

If you are interested in a massage or body work session at my office, you can reach me at (435) 260-2523 to make an appointment. If a massage on the banks of the river or in a mountain meadow sounds appealing, call me to inquire about a commercial wilderness trip that includes massage.