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Harian Metro reported that a woman in Sungai Petani asked her husband for a divorce after she was given a bottle of ‘magic potion’ by a bomoh to improve her business.

Aini, who is in her 40s, said she was given the water, over which the bomoh had recited some prayers, and told to return for more.

The woman said she kept returning to the bomoh’s house as if she ‘missed’ him, and would even consent to having him massage her nude body.

She claimed that she was so ‘hooked’ onto the potion that she began to neglect her responsibilities.

Her husband ‘ known only as Hussin ‘ said that he confronted the bomoh, who advised him to divorce Aini as she no longer loved him.

‘I had a parang with me then and was about to kill him. Thank goodness, I came to my senses,’ he said, adding that after consulting several religious men in Kulim, it was confirmed that his wife had been under the charm of black magic.

Massage Envy of North Carolina, the leading provider of professional, convenient and affordable therapeutic massage, has recently launched a regional online marketing campaign for 2010. The initiative will include four metro-area Web sites for its 25 North Carolina clinics located in the Charlotte metro, Greensboro-Triad, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington areas. These new Web sites will contain local content, promotions and events, and work in conjunction with ongoing online marketing campaigns and social media.

“Our area Web sites will provide a better communication portal for our customers and members by educating them about the many benefits of massage and promotional offers available to them,” said Jim Fitzsimmons, regional developer for Massage Envy NC. “Establishing area Web sites will also help with online search engines so that Massage Envy locations can be more easily and readily found.”

Laura Palovich-Binder ran her massage business for nine years in Worthington, accepting annual rent increases and the occasional bonus of a free month’s rent.

But when her lease was set to expire last summer, she and her leasing agent shopped around. They found an list of eager suitors dangling free rent and offers to build out shell spaces to land her Water For the Soul Massage Therapy LLC.

“Most were definitely willing to negotiate, to help with build-out,” she said. “I definitely got a better deal than I could’ve (earlier).”

Palovich-Binder opted for space on Schrock Road in Westerville’s Parkview Center primarily for its high visibility and the readiness of the space, but several months of free rent was a welcome sweetener.

“We’re seeing more and different concessions. It’s more competitive out there,” said Curtis Hannah, director of Integra Realty Resources Inc’s. retail specialty and real estate tax practice in Columbus.

The New York-based real estate valuation and consulting company recently surveyed Central Ohio’s leasing community for its 2010 Columbus Retail Overview report, which found 94 percent of those questioned were offering free rent or tenant improvement allowances to fill empty storefronts in shopping centers. It was the first year the company asked about concessions so statistical comparison couldn’t be made, Hannah said, but the practices anecdotally seems more widespread.

“Landlords are doing well if they can get tenants to renew at the current rate,” said Robert Matias, senior vice president of retail brokerage services with Columbus brokerage Equity Inc. “That’s tremendously different from the recent past, where there’d typically be a 10 to 15 percent increase over the previous rent.”
Getting breaks

Concessions are nothing new, but they have become more of a necessity for landlords, Integra’s report found. Hannah said lower rents are common. The average monthly rent requested by landlords for retail space in Central Ohio rose from $13.63 a square foot in 2008 to $13.70 last year, according to the report, but what the tenants paid after negotiations declined by between 10 percent and 15 percent.

No rent has become more common as well, the report found, with landlords offering on average two to three months free on new deals.

“Historically, a lot offered tenant improvement allowances, but they’re not as willing to give up cash up front for that now,” Hannah said. “They’d rather give free rent.”

Foregoing rent for a period doesn’t leave the owner on the hook financially as improvements can if a tenant cannot fulfill a lease agreement, Hannah said, citing the plight of Steve & Barry’s LLC as an cautionary tale. The Port Washington, N.Y.-based sports apparel retailer set up in several high-rent locations early last decade that came with expensive tenant improvement allowances. When the company went bankrupt in 2008 and closed its stores, he said, landlords that gave money to the retailer wound up taking a hit.

“No owner wants to be left holding the bag when a tenant with high (tenant improvements) fails to fulfill a lease agreement,” Hannah said.

Big chains as well as small retailers have benefitted from flexible landlords. Columbus-based Big Lots Inc., for example, said more affordable rents are a reason it opened more stores than it closed last year, including a store near Polaris Fashion Place that the company said it couldn’t have afforded previously. The closeout retailer said it opened eight of 52 stores last year in such higher-end locations, and expects to put 30 of its planned 80 store openings this year in such spots.

Getting better?

According to Integra, the market’s retail vacancy rate dropped to 15.1 percent for the year, down from 16.9 percent in 2008. The real estate listing service Xceligent Inc. put the vacancy rate at year-end at 12.5 percent, while Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Services Inc. pegged it at 12.2 percent.

Integra predicted the area’s retail vacancy rate would drop to 14.9 percent this year, but Marcus & Millichap projected a rise to 12.6 percent, which would still place Columbus among the 15 worst in the nation, a list topped by Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Retail analyst Chris Boring of Columbus-based Boulevard Strategies, in his annual report of retail trends and issues, said his view on Central Ohio market is split between stable and stagnant. He also cited a Grubb & Ellis Co. report that said the area retail market is no longer overbuilt.

Marcus & Millichap’s report predicted the beginnings of a recovery in 2010, with tenant rosters stabilizing and rent cuts slowing. Hannah said the supply of retail space should remain stable because a handful of small centers are under construction with other projects on hold until better conditions arrive.

Matias said Equity’s research indicates the sea may change again in the not-too-distant future, driving a decline in concessions.

“We’re telling our people that the supply is so hindered, so crippled,” he said. “Supply is down, so demand will rise.”

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Many massage therapists use aromatherapy—in custom blends or pre-packaged products, during massage sessions. Some types of aromatherapy—which utilizes essential oils from plants and flowers—calms, while others uplift. There are additional healing properties associated with aromatherapy as well.

Researchers in Thailand just finished investigating the effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil.

Human autonomic parameters—blood pressure, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and skin temperature—were recorded as indicators of the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood and alertness in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal.

Forty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. Jasmine oil was applied topically to the skin of the abdomen of each subject.

Compared with placebo, jasmine oil caused significant increases of breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation, and
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which indicated an increase of autonomic arousal. At the emotional level, subjects in the jasmine oil group rated themselves as more alert, more vigorous and less relaxed than subjects in the control group.

This finding suggests an increase of subjective behavioral arousal, the researchers noted. “In conclusion,” they wrote, “Our results demonstrated the stimulating/activating effect of jasmine oil and provide evidence for its use in aromatherapy for the relief of depression and uplifting mood in humans.”

The results of “Stimulating effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil” were published recently in the journal Natural Products Communications.

Money can’t buy you love, but it can buy satisfaction-–if you spend wisely.

Consumers found that satisfaction with “experiential purchases,” from massages to family vacations, starts high and increases over time. In contrast, spending money on material things feels good at first, but actually makes people less happy in the end, says Thomas Gilovich, Cornell University professor of psychology, and Travis J. Carter, Cornell Ph.D. ‘10.

When it comes to material things, Gilovich and Carter found shoppers often second-guess their original buying decisions, comparing what they bought to other people’s purchases-–or to better deals they
missed.

But buying experiences provides greater satisfaction as time goes on, in part because of selective memory and because a consumer’s experience is highly subjective, making it much harder to make negative comparisons. Consumers also find it easier to decide on experiences, spending money on the first option that meets a set of expectations rather than painstakingly comparing all options.

Still, there is hope for makers of CDs and flat-screen televisions. The research found that how people view a purchase-–as an expensive boxed-set or as hours of enjoyable music–-also influenced their level of satisfaction.

For Sara Anderson, helping people in the lakes area through Therapeutic Massage is exactly what she wants to be doing.

Anderson, a Pine River-Backus graduate, is operating her business “Sara’s Therapeutic Massage” out of Leigh’s Hair Affair in Pine River.

A Pine River native, Anderson attended Northwest Technical College-Bemidji’s Massage Therapy program where she took classes in massage technique, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, body movement and awareness, ethics and more.

For Anderson, both the service her business provides and the location are ideal.

“I always wanted to be in a health care profession,” she said. “I researched (massage therapy) and found evidence that it really worked and helped people,” she added. “I believe in what I do.”

After graduation from NTC, Anderson looked for work possibilities near the hometown she’s so fond of, and found a great match at Leigh’s Hair Affair.

“I really like it here (in Pine River); it’s my favorite place, I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” she said. Anderson said she is very grateful for the opportunity to work out of Leigh’s.

Anderson schedules half-hour and hour massage appointments at Leigh’s Hair Affair Wednesday through Friday, after 6 p.m. when the salon is closed, so her clients have privacy, and Saturday through Monday, by appointment.

She has a portable, padded and adjustable massage table that includes a face cradle and a leg pillow for relaxation.

Through her massage, Anderson strives to create a relaxing and comforting atmosphere for her clients. While she received training in child massage, she focuses on adults.

Many of her clients seek massage to alleviate pain and stress. “There is a lot of stress and tension in everyday life,” she said. And, massage is a good way to reduce the stress that often leads to pain in people’s bodies.

Anderson works with clients to establish what will be the most beneficial to them. “You control the situation; I don’t do anything that you’re not comfortable with,” she said.

Patients can lie on their front, back or side, depending on the area to be massaged. She’ll ask for some basic health information – kept confidential – so she can ensure that the massage is a safe and positive experience.

“I always pay attention to the client,” she said.

The Green Mountain Inn’s 175+ year tradition of Vermont hospitality and gracious amenities has been rejuvenated with a revitalized massage facility and services now under the direction of Massage Supervisor Michelle Robbins.

Innkeeper Patti Clark is very excited about the news. “Escaping the daily grind to unwind and recharge is more important than ever,” said Clark. “Here at the Inn, we continually strive to enrich guests’ overall experience. We believe our updated massage services will provide visitors with yet another opportunity to refresh and reenergize while staying with us. What better way to experience the luxury of a truly memorable Green Mountain Inn getaway than to indulge in one of our wonderful massage selections?”

The massage services and facilities are also available to the general public. “You don’t have to be a guest of the Green Mountain Inn to appreciate and savor the renewing effects of one of our massage treatments,” added Clark.

Robbins is a graduate of the Utah College of Massage Therapy. Her qualifications include Reflexology, Shiatsu, Structural Alignment, Lymph Drainage and Deep Tissue massage, as well as Spa Treatment expertise. She has also trained in LaStone? and is a Loomis Institute? Certified Digestive Health Specialist. “My objective is to focus on traditional massage principles where each client leaves feeling they received a solid massage they are happy with and feel good about,” said Robbins.

The Green Mountain Inn currently offers Relaxation, Sports, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy and Reflexology massages, and will soon expand to include Stone massages and treatments for couples. Robbins is spearheading a continuing education and training program for Green Mountain Inn’s team of therapists to enhance and continually improve massage technique and treatments offered at the hotel. Their massage rooms, sauna and Jacuzzi have also recently been refurbished and updated.

“Forging connections with clients is key in understanding their specific health issues and physical needs,” Robbins added. “I find the ability to ‘listen’ with my hands as well as ears allows me to get a clearer picture of what a client needs and is asking for. That helps determine which specific methodology will best help each individual client.”

History doesn’t tell us who gave the first massage or why. But what is known is that massage is an ancient art that dates back to the dawn of civilization. The name is derived from the Greek word meaning “to work with the hands, as in kneading dough,” and in 400 B.C., Hippocrates wrote, “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing.”

In the ensuing 2,400 years, medicine has experienced millions of advances and physicians no longer rely solely on the “laying on of hands” to heal their patients. At the same time, massage has come a long way, too. Practitioners of this widely-accepted modality in the domain of alternative and traditional medicine are no longer called masseuses or masseurs, but therapists with extensive training.

Massage is respectable, but is it therapeutic? An estimated 25 million Americans visit about 90,000 practitioners 60 million times a year. Many feel better — but are they actually healthier?

The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” says Laurel massage therapist William Andrews, who treats clients at South Central Regional Medical Center’s Wellness Center and a number of area salons. Practitioners such as Andrews define massage as the manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissues to reduce discomfort and stress and promote wellness and health. It’s a broad definition, and it covers at least 80 different systems of massage.

Swedish massage, one of Andrews’ specialties, remains the most widely used methods in the United States. The typical Swedish massage includes a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize the client. Swedish massage is performed with the client lying on a special table, either disrobed or wearing undergarments. The therapist will generally ask if the client wishes to leave some parts of his body untouched: if so, those areas of the body are covered with a towel or sheet at all times.

Swedish massage uses five different techniques. Effleurage (stroking) can be gentle or forceful. Petrissage (kneading) uses the fingers and thumbs to exert pressure in a circular pattern. Friction is more vigorous, with the therapist using his palm, the heel of his hand, or even his forearm or elbow to apply force. Tapotement is a rhythmic percussive slapping or tapping motion designed to stimulate deep tissues. Vibration is the rapid trembling motion of both hands that is intended to facilitate relaxation.

Massage therapists have a variety of backgrounds. Many are trained according to standards set by the American Massage Therapy Association. Andrews received his training at the Healing Touch School of Massage Therapy in Hattiesburg, where he underwent one and one-half years undergoing hands-on training and education before becoming certified.

In Mississippi, a growing number of massage therapists work in hospitals, massaging infants suffering from a variety of illnesses, including side effects of premature birth, as well as older patients with pain as a result of illness. Andrews said his clients have been as young as nine and have extended up to those in their mid-nineties. For legal reasons, he will not perform a massage on anyone under the age of 13 without the consent and company of an adult.

In addition to Swedish, many other types of massage are available, each with its own goals and claims, said Andrews. In addition to Swedish, he is trained in prenatal, sports and deep-tissue massage.

Medical professionals believe that massage strengthens the body, enabling injured tissues to return to normal and heal themselves. Many theories explain how massage might accomplish these goals. They include an improvement of the circulation, the removal of toxins, stress reduction, better sleep, and benefits for the metabolism and the immune system. The most passionate advocates assert that massage can help improve the function of nearly any part of the body.

generates plenty of stress, many laid-off workers are finding new careers as massage therapists.

Despite the poor economy, demand for massage therapists is still holding strong, thanks to hiring by hospitals, chiropractic offices, nursing homes and others.

“We’re now being accepted by the health care profession,” said Karen Armstrong, supervisor of clinical massage at Beaumont Hospitals, which operates massage clinics in Royal Oak and Troy.

At Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, nearly 30 employers plan to attend a job fair in March for the school’s students. “More and more job opportunities are coming up,” said Kathy Gauthier, Irene’s executive director.

At the Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage in Port Huron, every graduate is finding work, said director Nancy Levitt. “This is a profession that is growing,” she added.

In the past, massage therapists mostly found employment at spas and salons but nowadays they can be seen at gyms, hotels, assisted-living facilities, airports, malls and other locations. More companies are also making on-site massages available for their employees.

The profession is attracting newcomers like Paula Nedzinskas, whose job as a store manager at the Henry Ford was outsourced 1 1/2 years ago.

The 46-year-old Dearborn resident plans to graduate from Irene’s in September and would like to run her own business after she gets some experience. Nedzinskas expects her income will be the same as in her previous job, but she will be working fewer hours, giving her more time to spend with her two young children: “I think it will be more rewarding.”
Therapists to gain respect

Today, people with little training can call themselves massage therapists. But in about a year, all massage therapists will be forced to undergo a minimum of 500 hours of training at an approved school and pass an examination.

Michigan will be the 43rd state to regulate the industry. Experts expect the new rules will force people who aren’t serious about the profession to leave.

“It will give it greater recognition as a legitimate career,” said Kathy Gauthier, executive director of Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, one of Michigan’s oldest massage-training schools. “Massage therapists have nothing to do with adult entertainment.”

The new licensing law comes when many people who have taken buyouts or lost their jobs are finding second careers as massage therapists. The profession offers flexible hours in a variety of settings and the option of working for someone else or being your own boss.

It’s also a job that older Americans can do, though it is physically demanding. Gauthier said what matters most is having a “strong sense of compassion for people’s day-to-day aches and pains.”

Unlike some occupations, there’s always something new to learn. More than 80 different types of massage exist, from Swedish and sports to hot stones. The pay varies depending on where you work and how many hours you put in. But many people find that money isn’t the only reward.

“I’m never bored,” said Deb Zager, a part-time massage therapist at Google’s Ann Arbor office and president of the American Massage Therapy Association’s Michigan chapter. “Every person that comes in has a different issue that they want addressed. When somebody leaves my office, they are usually happy.”

“You feel as if you are doing something very giving,” said Dennis Scheffler, owner of Healing Hands Holistic Health Center, a massage-training school in Clinton Township.

This aspect of the job appealed to Clarkston resident Stacy Kyriakides. “I want to be a part of something that can help people,” said the 30-year-old former veterinarian’s assistant who plans to graduate in May from Irene’s Myomassology Institute. “You are not thinking about anybody else except the person on the table. It’s a partnership.”

Interest in the field is growing just as many hospitals are integrating massages into treatments for patients. Beaumont Hospitals has a staff of 20 massage therapists, compared with only one in 2005. Its massage therapists work with cancer patients, people with other medical problems and those seeking relief from stress.

Since most insurance policies don’t cover massages, Beaumont tries to keep its prices affordable, charging $48 an hour. Its massage clinics in Royal Oak and Troy are open to the public.

“We are using our hearts and our hands to make a difference, and that’s so rewarding,” said Karen Armstrong, Beaumont’s supervisor of clinical massage and chair of the new Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.

Despite the economy, Beaumont’s clinics are seeing strong demand for massages. That’s good news in an industry that gets squeezed during recessions as consumers cut back on their spending. The downturn has led to lowered prices for massages in many parts of metro Detroit.

Thanks to new research, though, consumers are becoming more aware that massages can reduce pain, muscle spasms and tension headaches, among other benefits. That should help lift demand when the economy recovers.

Companies that franchise clinics are already planning to expand in Michigan. The largest of them, Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., has locations in Rochester Hills and West Bloomfield and hopes to open 20 more clinics in the state. LaVida Massage, which moved its headquarters to Commerce Township, operates five clinics in Michigan, with another two on the way.

A proposal to develop a massage parlour in an area of Fort Road where the city of Edmonton has invested millions in revitalization has been dropped.

“The proponent has withdrawn the development permit,” said Coun. Tony Caterina.”[It] looks like they’re not proceeding with the massage parlour — in quotation marks — on Fort Road.”

Business owners in the area circulated a petition to try to block the enterprise, believing it might offer sexual services and was inappropriate in an area where the city has spent $75 million on roads, sidewalks, park development and other improvements.

“I hope that swayed them, and changed their mind,” Caterina said of the local opposition. “That this wasn’t an area where they were prepared to fight the neighbours.”

Christine Perrin, who lives in the neighbourhood, cheered news that the massage parlour won’t be going ahead.

“I think that’s great, seriously,” she said. “It just gives a bad name. They’re cleaning it up really nice here, so [massage parlours] should not be here at all.”