Two massage therapists from Grayslake, Ellen Winick and Susan Barg, will donate 10 percent of all the fees they receive for massages given during National Massage Awareness Week, Oct. 21-27. Their donation will go to A Safe Place, a Zion shelter and counseling center for victims of domestic violence.
“Susan and I hope to use this Massage Awareness Week to show our work isn’t only about promoting physical health,” said Winick. “We’re committed to improving wellness on all levels. That’s why we back organizations like A Safe Place, that help empower women.”
Winick has maintained a private massage therapy practice since 1995, serving clients throughout the Chicago area. She specializes in Swedish, sports, pregnancy and postpartum massage, deep tissue/myofascial and cranial sacral therapy, lymphatic drainage and reflexology. Her clients span all ages, and include endurance athletes like Ironmen and marathoners. Holding a master’s degree in education from Northwestern University, Winick currently teaches massage therapy at the College of Lake County, and has also held positions as a childbirth instructor, prenatal director and doula.
Barg graduated from the Cortiva/Chicago School of Massage therapy in 2009 and has earned certifications in Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, bamboo-fusion, sports and chair massage. Her experience includes practicing sports massage on high-performance athletes such as Olympic runners and semi-pro soccer players. Barg has worked in a variety of settings, including wellness spas and chiropractic practices.
The American Massage Therapy Association sponsors National Massage Therapy Awareness Week to provide information to consumers about the use of massage therapy as part of a preventative healthcare routine. Research indicates massage therapy helps create feelings of wellness and vitality while reducing anxiety and depression, according to AMTA.
Surveys conducted by AMTA show 90 percent of individuals perceive massage therapy as effective in reducing pain, and 64 percent of hospitals use massage therapy as part of outpatient care. At the Mayo Clinic, patients receive massages to help reduce stress, pain and stiffness, and also to boost immunity.
Winick and Barg, both AMTA members, say they chose to support A Safe Place because it offers one of the only domestic violence programs in Lake County. Counselors assist in providing victims, women and their children, with free emergency shelter, court advocacy, referrals and counseling services. To learn more, call 847-731-7165.
Both massage therapists will offer 50-minute massages for $50 to new customers during the awareness week, Oct. 21-27. Current customers will receive a free massage for every new customer they refer who comes in for a massage that week. Winick and Barg provide their massage services in Grayslake.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 847-721-9465 or email ellenwinick@comcast.net.
