30
The Communicator - February 2005
Most everyone knows that Therapeutic Massage is
relaxing and can make you feel wonderful. But did you
know that there is a multitude of health benefits associated
with regular therapeutic massage? Massage improves
general circulation throughout the body, brings oxygen
rich blood to all body tissues and helps flush out wastes
and toxins. All this can help relieve many types of pain
and discomfort, lower blood pressure and heart rate,
reduce stress and anxiety, help relieve depression, and
more. Massage also directly affects the muscles and joints
- relieving muscle tension and fatigue, increasing range of
motion, and keeping muscles supple and toned. The list of
benefits is long... In general, therapeutic massage
promotes healthy functioning of all body systems,
especially the immune system, which is so important in
keeping us happy, healthy, and active!
Therapeutic Massage is what Laura Palovich does for
a living. When asked why she chose a career in massage,
Laura says it's because she wanted to help people and
she wanted to work in a field that had a long-term
financial potential. She started out at the early age of 7
years old when her dad started paying her twenty five
cents to walk on his back and scratch his head. Later, in
college, she says she rubbed a lot of shoulders! Although
she always enjoyed giving massage, Laura had never
received a massage herself before she decided to enroll
at the College of Massotherapy in Youngtown, Ohio!
Now she gets one on a regular basis.
Although she always enjoyed giving massage, Laura had
never received a massage herself before she decided to
enroll at the College of Massotherapy in Youngtown,
Ohio! Now she gets one on a regular basis.
Laura moved
to Columbus in
1998 after
receiving her
license to
practice
massage
therapy,
determined to
open her own
business some
day. She
invested all the
money she had
to get started.
"I had to try. If
I didn't, I
wouldn't know
if I could ever
do it or not!"
she says. And she did it! Almost five years ago, in the
spring of 2000, she opened Water for the Soul, a "reju-
venation center" where she offers therapeutic massage
and spa therapy. When asked why she named the clinic
Water for the Soul, she says that is a common question.
To her, "water for the soul is a metaphor for massage.
The body can go several days without food, but it's can't
go without water!" And she feels the same way about
massage; the body can't go without it - "it is like nourish-
ment for the soul."
Water for the Soul is located in Worthington at 6050
Huntley Road (just across from Sinclair Rd and Rte 161).
The clinic has a beautiful, peaceful feel to it. The recep-
tion area is roomy and highlighted in soft purple,
Laura's favorite color. It's decorated with gifts from
friends and clients. The clinic also has three massage
rooms, and Laura employs one part-time therapist. She
is currently looking for another part-time therapist to
join the clinic's staff.
(continued on the next page)