In these stressful, pandemic-clouded days, I find that I really miss hugging friends when I see them. There’s something about a hug, that hold-tight compression that makes you feel solid, secure, seen, and felt. It’s the antithesis of masking and social distancing!
So what can you do to feel something similar to that kind of comfort even now, when Covid isn’t done with us yet? Well, how about a massage?
Massage is physical and emotional therapy rolled into one, a soothing of all the overused and underused muscles, a balm for the psyche as well as the body. Massage helps heal us from the outside in. But, as it is starting a relationship with any health care professional, it can be hard to find a talented, knowledgeable massage therapist who really listens to you and helps resolve all those twinges and pains.
Lucky for us in central Vermont, there’s a new practice in Bethel: Prana Massage Therapy, owned and run by Natalie Fournier. You’ll find her peaceful, comfy therapy space in Bethel Works at the Arnold Block, at 245 Main Street.
Natalie offers Swedish and deep-tissue massage, with add-on options for hot stones and hot towel wraps. She also specializes in pelvic alignment therapy, a physical therapy/bodywork technique that addresses malalignment in the pelvic girdle using pressure points and trigger points. “When the pelvis and hips are aligned,” says Natalie, “all movement is harmonious and pain-free.”
Natalie has New England roots, both personally and professionally. Born and raised in Springfield, MA, she attended college there as well. Her husband’s family lives in Swanton, VT, so the couple moved to Bethel four years ago. Now they live in Stockbridge, about equidistant between both their families.
Once settled in Vermont, Natalie completed a 630-hour training program at Green Mountain Massage School in Hyde Park to achieve certification as a massage therapist (CMT). She’s been practicing for two years so far. Before that she was a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), and in that role she did lots of manual therapy, a component of PT that she particularly enjoyed. That’s how Natalie fell in love with massage therapy. Through her PTA training she gained a strong foundation in body structure and function — she calls herself an anatomy/physiology nerd, which sounds like just the kind of practitioner anyone would want! Natalie worked as a PTA throughout massage school and ultimately made the transition to doing only massage therapy and body work. She says her PTA training constantly complements and augments her massage therapy work.
Natalie is excited to have her business at the Arnold Block — its central Vermont location, near exit 3 on Rte. 89, makes it convenient for many of her former PT clients who now see her for massage. Having her practice in Bethel allows Natalie to contribute to the community and grow her business as well as the Arnold Block’s. We’re so glad she’s here!
Prana Massage clients must mask during services, except when lying face-down on the massage table. At that point you can remove your mask, but you’ll still be protected by a pillowcase attached to the face cradle. Natalie masks throughout. New clients are asked to fill out paperwork that includes a health check. Also, all clients must check their temperature before they come in and reschedule their appointments if they have any Covid symptoms.
Natalie’s hours are flexible: she schedules appointments for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but will see clients on other days, depending on their needs. Visit her website, pranamassagevt.com, to learn how to book an appointment and more. You’ll be very glad you did!