This depends on how your body feels. If you have just been in a car accident or fallen down and bumped your knee, you may be in a lot of pain, and we would generally see you a few visits, close together and just short visits, 30 minute sessions, just to get you over the trauma. If you have a chronic, long running pain issue or stressful work and or home life, something that has lasted 3 or more years on a continual basis, you may be a candidate for the 1 time a week for a couple of weeks, for the full one hour session or even the 90 minute session and then your therapist can give you a better idea of when you need to be worked on, maybe once a month. Everyone is different and we should evaluate your situation to let you know what would be best for you and your health. Listen to your body, it will tell you when is best. Finances also play a part in how often you get a massage. If you have little extra money left at the end of your paycheck, then you may be able to come only 3 or 4 times a year. But if you have plenty left over at end of your paycheck, you can come as often as every week!
How big is the sheet or blanket that covers me?
Twin size sheets fit our massage tables. In the summer months we have a light weight blanket and in the winter months we use a heavy weight blanket in addition to the sheets. If you become too warm, you can always stick your feet out. But the State of South Carolina requires you be draped at all times.
What to expect after a Massage?
After a massage you will feel recharged and wonderful. Depending on how deep the therapist was working, you may or may not feel sore the next couple of days. If you do, we advise you to drink plenty of WATER. This is the fluid that the body needs to flush the lactic acid and stagnant fluid out of your body. You may use the bathroom more than usual, but it’s the only liquid that will flush these toxins out.
Suggestion if you are not a big water drinker. After everything you normally drink have a water chaser, this will ensure proper hydration.
What you can expect from a Professional Massage?
Whether this is your first massage or your 50th, your therapist will ask why you chose to come for a massage today. If this is your first massage at Serenity we will ask you to fill out a short intake form on your past and current physical conditions, medical history, life style, stress and areas of pain.
We will show you to one of our treatments rooms, and give you some privacy where you can undress to your comfort level. You may or may not leave your undergarments on. Ladies will have to remove their bra so we can work on the entire back area. Once you undress slip underneath the sheet and blanket, face down with your face in the face cradle. We will knock on the door before we enter, giving us time to heat our spinal pillow.
We will adjust the face cradle up or down if needed and the bolster should fit comfortably under your ankles. We will undrape only the area of the body we will be massaging, insuring your modesty is respected at all times. Breasts and genitals are NEVER exposed.
During a 60 minute massage, we will be working on your entire body starting with the back and neck first. We will work on the glutes through the sheet, and then massage the backs of the legs and bottoms of the feet. We will step out of the room so you can turn over and we can heat our spinal pillow. We will return to work on the top of your legs and feet. Next we massage your arms, hands, neck, head and face.
During a 30 minute massage, it’s impossible to cover the entire body so we can concentrate on what is hurting you the most, or do a modified full body, which is back, neck, feet, hands and face.
Christie Edwards
Hello there! My name is Christie Edwards. I am a wife and mother of three, and have lived in the York County area for most of my life. I began as a client at Serenity Therapeutic Massage in 2009. Every two weeks, I saw Charlene Hracs. During one of our early sessions, I told her that I had wanted to be a massage therapist when I was a little girl. It was Charlene who inspired me to follow my dreams from long ago and to go back to school. In November of 2011, I graduated within the top five percent of my class at Southeastern Institute. By December of 2011, I was a Licensed Massage Therapist. I began working with Serenity Therapeutic Massage at that time, moving from a client to a colleague.
I specialize in helping people with chronic pain and postural issues, utilizing several different modalities during sessions. I’m also notorious for giving my clients “homework” in the form of stretches and at-home therapy that they can do to continue their healing process. I have a passion for learning and I’m always reading up on a new technique, or inviting some of my regular clients to try something different with me. My techniques range from general relaxation to neuromuscular therapies and deep tissue work, as well as stretching and joint mobilization.
I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to work with Charlene, Vicki, Amanda, Anna, and Eric. Having experienced their kindness and healing touch first-hand, I know that I am working with people who share in my beliefs and desires to help others.
Anna J. McKee
I have often been asked, why did I choose to become a Massage Therapist? My response, I did not choose massage, massage chose me.
I started my career in health care, first receiving my BS in Psychology at SCSU, and working at Piedmont Medical. There I serviced in a counseling capacity to patients and their families. I gained great knowledge about the health care industry and dealing with the public. I’ve always loved working with and helping others to resolve issues. Unfortunately this position was deleted a downsizing of programs.
I spent the next 10 years working in manufacturing, yes I was actually a machine operator for a leading snack food company.
Upon the birth of my daughter in 2004 and amidst health issues I found myself unemployed and seriously ready for a career change. Massage was introduced to me as a destresser and relaxation tool. I had given little thought about the avenue in which to pursue. But one day I went to receive a full body massage and walked out knowing just where I was going.
I enrolled in South Eastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy, Charlotte NC, in 2008 and graduated with a 4.0 in May 2009.
I have been working in a Chiropractic office since 2009 and am currently starting to incorporate independent therapist to my resume by joining the women of Serenity Massage.
I was born and raised here in York County and although I’m not a member of the Hracs and Rose Family, I am however Ms. Vicki’s neighbor!
I am so looking forward to this journey, why don’t you join me, give me a call to set up an appointment!! See you then……
Vicki Rose (Retired)
My passion for healing started as a child bringing home wounded birds and animals. At 16, I became a candy-striper at a local hospital where my mother worked in Bay City , MI . After
high school I decided to attend Lake Superior State College (now a University) to get my nursing degree, but love struck and so I left college to marry and raise a family. For many years I had been in conventional medicine on and off, until we uprooted our little family in 1990 and moved to the Carolinas, where I went to work at Presbyterian Hospital , in Charlotte as a nurse technician. Wanting more education and a chance to get back to my original goal, nursing, I headed back to college. Finally after so many years I was completing all the necessary classes, making the Dean’s list,(who knew), I was ready to apply to the nursing program only to find there was a 2 year wait to get into the program. Then I was introduced to massage therapy, 6 months later … a spot in the nursing program opened up, I chose massage school instead and never looked back! In 1993 I started at the Therapeutic Massage Training Institute in Charlotte and right after my certification for Swedish massage I began working. With each certification I expanded my scope of practice and became licensed as soon as SC passed the legislation.M
In 1999 my personal world changed radically, but it also opened up a new opportunity for my business. I met a woman who would become my friend and my business partner and her family and mine began to develop Serenity Therapeutic Massage from dream to reality. Now nearly ten years later and a marriage of our children our business has grown to a point where one day we may actually have to expand. I could never have imagined so many years ago that I would own a successful business and share it with two wonderful women, my daughter-in-law, Amanda and her mother.
Charlene Hracs
2018 marks my 20th year as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Along with the fact I’ll be married 40 years to my wonderful husband Alex, I can without a doubt say, being in business with Vicki Rose for 18 years is quite an accomplishment and is nothing to sneeze at! A success story only God could have engineered and continues to bless me in more ways than I can count. My other blessings are my 2 married daughters, their husbands, my 2 grandchildren and the 5 other therapists who work with me daily, here atSerenity: Vicki Rose, Amanda Rose (my daughter), Anna McKee, Christie Edwards and Eric Grosse. Whom without their love and commitment, Serenity would not be the success it is today. Our plan is to serve this community for many more years to come.
My massage story begins like this: I have been massaging my husband since before we were even married. My then high school sweetheart was injured at work and had severe spinal issues and muscle spasms that sent searing pain throughout his body. Needless to say, I became very well acquainted with spastic muscles, pain patterns and numerous set-backs, so my skills were developed very early. I’ve also done massage on my daughters since infancy. So really, my experience runs longer than 40 years.
Over a16 year period of time and working for 7 Chiropractors, I had a wonderful time being tutored in all things natural and healthy for the body without drugs or surgery…anatomy and physiology were absolutely fascinating to me. So when the opportunity came along to go to massage school, I was very hesitant but with 3 weeks of intense prayer and consultation with my family the decision was made. While attending Southeastern School of Neuromuscular & Massage, Charlotte, NC all the things I had done intuitively, I learned had a name and purpose, and school just gave me the proper education to round out a full body massage routine. And here I am doing what I love.
This is the path God has set for me. So my life is to help as many people, young and old to heal what has been broken or injured, physically, mentally and spiritually with as little pain as possible and as quickly as possible. I use many techniques which are firm yet compassionate, done with energy that will leave you feeling totally rejuvenated and refreshed.
Please consider Letting Our Family, Treat Your Family
Amanda Rose
My name is Amanda Rose and I’ve always known I wanted to be a Massage Therapist. When I was young, I saw first hand how Massage Therapy could help so manypeople. So I decided to attend Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy in Charlotte, NC and graduated in March 2004. Soon after I moved to New YorkCity and worked as a receptionist at the Palace Hotel in there Spa and Fitness Center. I learned very quickly the cooperate spa industry was very different from being your own boss. After that experience I moved back to York, SC and decided to work for myself andpartnered with my mother Charlene and mother-in-law Vicki at Serenity Therapeutic Massage.
In September 2006 I married my high school sweetheart Chris Rose and made ouroffice officially a family business. Soon after that I started volunteering with the American Massage Therapy Association South Carolina chapter (AMTA-SC). The AMTA-SC coordinates education events for massage therapists around the state. It’s great to meet other therapists from around the state and learn new techniques and make great friends. I served as the Social & Entertainment chair, Meetings Coordinator chair, 3rd VP, and was voted in as President in 2014. I finished my 2 year President term just in time for the birth of our son, Finn Rose and welcomed him into the Serenity family.
I now work a part time schedule so I can spend more time with my son. I appreciate all my clients who understand my limited schedule while we raise our son. I continue to volunteer in a smaller role with the AMTA-SC and I look forward to learning so much more so I can better help my clients.
Therapeutically Yours,
Amanda Rose
Basic 3 Essential Oil Care Kit
Lavender:
**MOST USEFULL FOR ANY TREATMENT**
TAKES THE HOT STINGING FEELING OUT, ALWAYS USE AFTER ANY INJURY, HELPS CALM THE BRAIN. Antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative & detoxifier, promotes accelerated regeneration (healing of wounds) Use for burns, (by water, steam, oil, fire, sun), insect bites, (ant, spider, bee, snake, fish, jelly fish, plants, chiggers, sand flies, mosquitoes, ticks) falls, bruising. CAN USE DIRECTLY ON SKIN “NEAT” 1-3 drops or 20 drops in tub to soak with Epsom salts (3 cups). – $15.00
Peppermint:
antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasm, pain reliever/blocker, anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial, antifungal, expels worms, decongestant, anti-infectious. Use for headaches, migraines, mental fatigue, (boosts mental alertness) muscle relaxer, (use with heat or ice) aids digestion, (stomach aches, intestinal rumbling, IBS, heart burn) bad breath, toothaches and respiratory aid **also keeps mice, fleas and ants away***CAN USE DIRECTLY ON SKIN “NEAT” 1-3 drops of 5 drops in tub to said with Epsom salts (3 cups). – $12.00
Eucalyptus:
antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, deodorizer. Use for coughs, colds, hard breathing, cystitis, Candida – (yeast overgrowth), diabetes, sunburn and insect repellent. CAN USE DIRECTLY ON SKIN “NEAT” 1-3 drops on chest and upper back or 10 drops in tub to soak with Epsom salts (3 cups). – $10.00