Mary Werth, a licensed massage therapist, noticed a trend during the seven years she spent teaching massage. Many students completed their training successfully, but had no idea what to do once they became licensed.
What resulted is the Stepping Stones Massage Clinic, which opened Aug. 11 at 200 Donelson Pike in Nashville. Werth employs many of her former students at the GLBT-owned business. Through the clinic, she is able to help them understand how to be successfully self-employed.
"I had tons of former students calling up and saying, 'Hey, I hear you're opening a clinic,'" Werth said. "Now many of them are working with me and learning the things they don't get in school, like how to build a clientele, handle their schedule, market their business and pay taxes."
The clinic is open seven days a week with appointments beginning between 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. An hour-long massage costs $40.
The clinic provides many different types of massage services for customers. All therapists are trained in Swedish Massage, which is designed provide relaxation. Many therapists also do deep tissue massage, also known as trigger point. This type of massage is designed to address the kinks or knots that develop over time from stress or other factors.
Stepping Stones' therapists also offer lymphatic drainage massage and acupressure. Lymphatic drainage massage utilizes a light rhythmic massage to help drain toxins from the body. It is typically helpful for people who are generally healthy but have a sluggish lymphatic system.
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, only it uses finger pressure, not needles. Its very good for reconnecting the body, mind, and spirit.
"I think of it as connect the dots on the body," Werth said. "Clients often think its magic."
The clinic also provides prenatal massage, designed to nurture and support the mother and fetus, and will soon offer hot stone massages.
Werth’s clinic currently has staff to serve four of the six tables at any time, and the clinic has access to more therapist as needed.
"The clinic is a way to live my life motto, ‘With love and laughter I can change the world,’" Werth said.
