Former teacher launches second career as massage therapist - DesMoinesRegister.com

[massage]

Erin Hefner, owner of Personal Best Massage, works on a costumed client. She offers traditional massage services at her Urbandale storefront, but she's also provided massages to Des Moines Marathon runners for seven years.(Photo: Special to the Register)


Former elementary school special education teacher Erin Hefner had an epiphany while receiving a massage.

“I turned my head to my therapist and jokingly said that I could handle being a massage therapist. I liked the soft lights and quiet music,” Hefner said.

A few years later she took the plunge.

“I took a year off from teaching and decided that since I enjoy giving back rubs as much as I do receiving them, I’d look into massage therapy. I discovered I loved it,” Hefner said.

She enjoys the flexibility running her own business provides and the satisfaction she gets from helping her clients feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I can tailor my day the way I need to do it,” she said. “I’m also not restricted to a certain kind of massage ... I can tailor my session to my client’s personal needs.”

Hefner spoke with The Des Moines Register about her business.

Q: Where did you attend massage therapy school?

A: I graduated from Body Wisdom Massage School.

Q: What do you offer?

A: I have sports massage, which is why I call my business Personal Best, therapeutic massage, deep tissue work, reflexology, rain drop aromatherapy, stone massage and other techniques that I blend in. I’m also learning medical massage and neural reset therapy.

Q: Who are your clients?

A: They vary widely. I work with both men and women who range in age from 30 up to 70. But I’ve also worked with my clients’ children, too. One thing I do is work with people who have physical disabilities.

Q: What is special about your approach to massage?

A: I start by warming up the top layers of the tissue with a more gentle technique, then I go deeper into the muscle and do trigger point work or some of the other techniques I’ve learned. I combine relaxation and specific work. When the whole body relaxes for a massage, that allows the one special spot that needs extra attention to relax and I can get in deeper. Massage shouldn’t hurt to be good.

Q: What do you like about your location?

A: It’s quiet and professional. It’s also on the ground level for easy access and it is handicap accessible. We have good parking and it’s easy to find north of Hickman Road by a fairly major intersection behind K-Mart and the Buccaneers ice arena.

Q: How do you give back to the community?

A: I work with the Des Moines Marathon to help athletes prepare and then I offer on-site massages. I’ve worked with them for seven years. I take a table with me and set up in a yellow tent.

Q: Do you get massages yourself?

A: Most massage therapists trade with one another to make sure our bodies are able to offer massages to others. I especially have to take care of my hands. My feet and back can sometimes ache, too, but it’s mostly my arms and hands that get a good workout.

Personal Best Massage

LOCATION: 2600 72nd St., Suite N, Urbandale

HOURS: By appointment

OWNER: Erin Hefner

BUSINESS HISTORY: Hefner opened her business in 2006.

CONTACT: 515-491-8721, www.personalbestmassage.massagetherapy.com, Facebook @ Personal Best Massage

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