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BUSINESS NEWS -  Mossel Bay's Elana van den Heever, whose business is called Body Restoration, has been a certified, practising massage therapist and reflexologist for 16 years.

She has a three-year diploma - recognised globally by the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) and the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC).

From Pretoria originally, Elana was a massage therapist at the Cambridge Chiropractic Clinic in New Zealand's North Island for five years before settling in Mossel Bay last month.

Chiropractors found patients responded best to treatment if they had undergone a professional massage, to increase circulation and warm the muscles beforehand.

Prior to working in New Zealand, Elana owned a body and beauty salon in Pretoria for 11 years.

She advises that people consult an experienced massage therapist with a recognised qualification, otherwise one is at risk of discomfit, a lack of results and neck, spinal or other injuries.

She is trained in aromatherapy massage, hot stone therapy, Indian head massage and sports/deep tissue massage.

Committed to holistic health, Elana explains that reflexology is therapeutic for body and soul.

"Reflexologists use specific thumb, finger and hand techniques to apply pressure on the reflex points on and under the feet, thereby detecting imbalances in the body."

She notes: "Reflexology is not only beneficial for stress relief. It improves blood and lymphatic circulation, relieves pain and is a stimulator for the immune and nervous systems. It also helps the body eliminate toxins."

Elana's premises is: Room 204, Plaza Aquada building, 55 Marsh Street, Mossel Bay.

She also works as a mobile therapist, offering treatments in people's homes, and can go to business premises, offering corporate packages.

Call 064 512 8358. Email: elana.bez08@gmail.com.

CLIENT REVIEW

My experience of treatments at Body Restoration:

I had an aromatherapy massage and was given a demonstration of reflexology at Body Restoration on 1 February.

Massage therapist and reflexologist Elana van den Heever gave me accurate directions to her treatment room in Marsh Street, Mossel Bay. It is conveniently located in the central business precinct in Mossel Bay and it was quick and easy for me to find.

Professional

Elana was well groomed and professional and the treatment room was hygienic, neat and clean, but also welcoming. Elana was extremely service-oriented and humble, and I felt treated and special right from the start.

For the massage, she selected three essential oils, especially for me. One of the oils has cooling properties, for which I was really grateful in the hot weather.

At the beginning she asked if the pressure was correct - and it was perfect.

During the overall massaging of my back, neck and shoulders, she also worked on specific pressure points.

Comfortable

Her massage bed is extremely comfortable - the mattress just the correct firmness and the head space perfect. I have endured uncomfortable massage beds before.

Also, straight off, she asked if I were comfortable.

The oils were a wonderful, sensory experience in terms of the fragrance and effect on my mind and body.

I felt relaxed, yet also refreshed after the massage and really balanced in terms of my mind and emotions. Obviously the combination of oils was a success. It was not like some massages, after which you feel so tired, you could drop asleep immediately.

Reflexology

Then for the reflexology. Elana stressed that a full hour is needed for a proper reflexology session because the feet should be soaked before the treatment, and after the treatment, the client is given feedback on what the reflexologist discovered during the treatment.

I was surprised how firmly Elana handled the feet and toes. The pressure was much firmer than the massage, but I felt no pain at all. I found the treatment really therapeutic and enjoyable.

It is amazing that the condition of one's body and organs is reflected and represented in the feet.

Feedback

She gave me feedback that my neck was stiff and that I needed to drink more water to assist with lymph drainage and she detected digestion problems.

This was all accurate. I had had two intense days, sitting hunched in front of a computer. I felt dehydrated that day, even asking Elana for water to drink when I arrived for the treatment and a few days prior to that, I had had a stomach bug and my body was still recovering from that.

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Elana van den Heever is professional and highly service orientated.