Barbara Lutz, owner of Be Well Massage, first became interested in holistic healing in her late teenage years.
"It's vital how important touch is to the healing process," Lutz said.
She studied Reiki classes and natural herbs even before she attended school for massages.
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ALYSSA MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
Barbara Lutz gives Lisa Donahue a massage at her new business, Be Well Massage, on Market Street.
"The school itself was very demanding," she said.
Some of the practices Lutz learned while in school included neurology, anatomy, kineseology and aroma therapy.
Her training included working at a hospice and sporting events, volunteering at hospitals and working with pregnant women.
Fact Box
Be Well Massage
460 Market St., Suite 207
326-6035
on Facebook
Hours: By appt.
Lutz graduated from Montoursville, moved away and recently returned to take over Body Works, 460 Market St., Suite 207, which was run by Lisa Donahue. Lutz started Be Well Massage on Oct. 3.
"The phone number and address will stay the same," Donahue said. "It's the same great service, with a transfer. I'm going; she's coming. ... I'm grateful someone like (Lutz) can take care of the people I'm leaving behind."
Hours are by appointment only, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but Lutz said she can be flexible to meet everyone's needs.
Services offered include a basic Swedish massage, a Shiatsu massage, and polarity.
Lutz said she tries to assess a client's needs, both emotionally and physically, and connect with the client to find a specifically-designed treatment.
"My goal for each person and body that walks into this room is to connect all of what that person needs," Lutz said.
Lutz is trained to deal with any aged individual, from birth to hospice care.
"I was just honored to be in the birth room of my dearest friend," Lutz said. "I gave her a pain management massage. It was the most amazing experience in my life."
Lutz teaches her clients stretches they can do on their own to help their individual needs, but the most important part of massage is not to wait until something bad happens.
"It's preventive, as well as restorative," Donahue said. "That's the education part. If you stretched all of your life, it wouldn't have injured. Don't wait."
Lutz agreed with not waiting.
"See me before you need me," she said. "We all deserve it."
Clients of Lutz also receive homework after every session, which includes stretching, practicing range of motion, strengthening, icing, heating and hydrotherapy.
"A lot of clients need permission to treat themselves," Lutz said.
Donahue said she wants people to know the importance of massages.
"Don't let anything stand in the way of what we really need," she said. "If it's important, nothing stands in the way. I matter that much."
For more information, visit the Facebook page or call 326-6035.
