MASSAGE WITHOUT BORDERS

OUT OF THE RUBBLE: It’s been a month since the superstorm crashed into our lives on the eastern seaboard. The devastation is tremendous and the burden weighs heavy on our hearts for those who lost everything.  I can say with absolute certainty if you live along the coastline in NY, NJ, MD, DE you lost something.

I grew up on Jersey Shore and though I lived in many states beyond Exit 98 I can’t remember a better summer then those spent in Point Pleasant, Seaside Hgts, Manasquan, Asbury Park, Sandy Hook and I can go on and on. The Jersey Shore is what makes living in NJ seem worth it.

Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to bring on the kind of grace, good will and solidarity necessary realize we are all in this together. But where do you start? So much debris, total chaos in the streets, national guards on the corners with guns, strangers in your neighborhoods, homes without power and people without homes!

I asked the ultimate question; where can I best serve? The answer was clear.  I grabbed my massage chair and a couple Pampered Spirits and we went help the people that help people.  We massaged firefighters, first responders, national guardsmen & women, FEMA workers and their supporters from LBI to Point Pleasant.

Still I wanted a cause that I could gauge something more. Then I got a call about week after the storm from my teacher Gloria Coppola asking how some of our massage colleagues made out during the storm.  I personally knew four therapists effected.  Some lost their homes others lost some possessions including their massage equipment. Gloria shared a story of an angel who called out to her for assistance for another colleague; Lisa Mayer who lost her home in Ortley Beach.

And so the outreach begins. In a weeks time a strong network of Massage Therapists Helping Massage Therapists who are surviving the effects of Sandy was built. Two weeks post Sandy and the distribution of massage tables gifted by Oakworks and 3B American supplies, along with some food baskets donated by Massage Pro CE, Gift Cards gifted by Massage magazine along with of host of other donations made it to many massage therapists and their families.

Massage Pro C.E. created this organization to help massage colleagues and now it has morphed into a full blown Non-Profit; Massage Without Borders.  Its Mission: To provide an immediate call to action to support our colleagues those that have been affected by the devastation of Sandy!

The Board Members are set and Massage Without Borders will soon be official as a non profit organization.  We just started helping our colleagues and we look forward to many more years of being here. Let's build a strong network of colleagues to support each other and keep it going. 

I am proud to be a founding member of Massage Without Borders. My name is Bridget Riley Turnbach and I am a Massage Therapist Helping Massage Therapists.

Please contact us at massagewithoutborders.org or  nj.pamperedspiritspa.com for more information on how you can help or if you need assistance.

Pampered Spirit finds home at Meridian Hospitals

Recently, The Pampered Spirit partnered with Meridian Health Care Systems and Circles Concierge out of Boston Massacuttes to offer in-room treatments to patients. As massage therapists and company's across the country know this is a moment to rejoice! Spa services are a welcome addition to health care facilities.
The Pampered Spirit, a New Jersey based premier mobile spa business, has partnered with Circles, one of the largest concierge services in the U.S., to offer a complete line of spa services to patients at Meridian Hospitals.
Spa services are now available in-room. The services are available to all patients of the medical Centers, designed to address non-clinical needs. The menu offers a wide array of massage options, including back, neck and shoulder massage, hand and foot reflexology and even pre and post operation Reiki sessions. Also offering nail care for the hands and feet as well as grooming services including; women's cut and style, men's haircuts and shaves. Pampered Spirit Technicians working within the hospitals must undergo rigorous screening process not only with Circles Concierge but Meridian Hospitals as well.
As the business owner I am extremely pleased with the growth and success in working in a hospital setting to bring these much needed services to people experiencing a hospital stay. Partnering with an industry leader such as circles paves the way for continued growth in attracting other location partners.
The Pampered Spirit is no stranger to the health care industry, currently operating throughout New Jersey adult senior communities, long term care facilities and private home appointments, along with a number of local businesses to offer corporate/workplace massage and other wellness workshops. In addition we offer customized spa parties which are the perfect addition to your bridal party, birthday, anniversary or bachelorette party. We bring everything to your location.

It is the vision of The Pampered Spirit to make service affordable and available in hospitals, businesses, hotels and events where normal spa service are not available. For more information visit www.thepamperedspiritn.com

What Do You Mean by "Mobile" Exactly?

Several times a month I receive calls from potential clients asking, "what do you mean by a Mobile Spa? or What is it exactly" Some assume that I come in an RV and the services take place outside in a Van, Truck or some sort of vehicle. While there are some Mobile Spa Company's that provide spa services in a fully equiped vehicle generally Mobile Spa Company's including The Pampered Spirit bring the spa into the home, office, hotel suite or basically inside wherever your venue is being held.

There is this missconception out there among the public as to what is Mobile Business as it pertains to Mobile Spas. Perhaps because when you google Mobile Business you will find a slew of Wireless Phone company's or software designed for employees' to work remotely from home and then there is the Mobile Home dealerships as well as portable Mobile Spa's or Jacuzzi's as I like to refer to them as.

Is there another term that is best suited for the Mobile Spa business? Travelling Day Spa brings about the same questions. Out call services is dated and denotes a different connotation that professional massage therapist do not care to be associated with. In-home services are traditionally geared toward flooring, carpet, handyman services in my experience.

When I research similar Mobile business's like The Pampered Spirit Mobile Massage & Spa, I find the term Mobile seems to be the generally catch phrase business owners use to capture their audience. So why all the confussion? It could be that Mobile Spa's are a fairly new concept over the past five years and gaining popularity and momentum daily. Maybe there is another phrase that would help the general public besides Mobile?

In the context of this Mobile Spa, We Bring the Spa to You. The Pampered Spirit staff is "on the road", driving from appointment to appointment. Mobile meaning "on the go". There are several other types of Mobile Business's out there that fit the mold of a Mobile Business. For example; dog groomers, courier services, auto detailers and even mobile notary services.

So next time you hear the phrase Mobile Spa remember, we are here to provide spa services you need in the comfort, convenience and privacy of your location.

One Business Leads to Another

Please visit the link below for the latest press on The Pampered Spirit and Mobile Scheduling Company http://thepamperedspiritnj.com/press.html

MOBILE SPA'S...THE WAY TO GO!

Mobile Spa’s have taken off in the beginning of the 21st century. In 2008, over five hundred Mobile Spas advertise services throughout the United States. In 2006 & 2007, there were approximately 300 registered mobile spas in the US respectively. When I started The Pampered Spirit in 2005, there were roughly 100 mobile spas. Between January and March of 09, I found an additional 35 Mobile Spa’s in the US. Why have mobile spas increased so rapidly?

One attributing factor is the increase in wellness education throughout the media. One result of this outreach leads people to discuss the benefits of massage with their doctors. In July of 2008, thirteen percent of adult Americans reported discussing massage therapy with their doctors or healthcare providers. Sixty percent of those doctors either strongly recommended or encouraged massage therapy (1). Thank’s Doc!

A company offering on-site chair massage breaks instead of a donut break is a well needed… on-going campaign. Meeting quarterly quotas, rewarding hard work, boasting morale and preventing injury are some of the more common reasons companies offer on-site massage. Some companies may even receive a discount on their worker’s comp insurance! Kudos to Corporate America and Small Business’s for supporting a Mobile Spa.

The membership-based massage businesses have attributed to the number of people receiving their first massage. Between 2006 & 2007 1 in 4 American’s had received their first massage (2). Could the Massage Envy’s and Hand & Stone Companies take credit for this? I think so. You know what they say…try everything once and twice if you like it! Maybe you like it better at home!

Many people are realizing they need and require regular massage to keep up the pace, put in the long hours, maintain good mental health and relieve the pain and stress in their bodies. Time is our greatest luxury and many of us feel we do not have the time to go to the spa but feel we will benefit from a massage. A mobile spa therapist that arrives at your home with all the amenities is priceless. Imagine not having to race home from a spa so you could relax; you are all ready home!

There are several reasons people prefer a mobile spa to a location spa. The following is a Top 10 list of why many Go Mobile:

10. You travel a lot and would love a massage at your hotel.
9. You are an Employer looking to reduce absenteeism and boast morale.
8. You like to relax in the privacy of their home.
7. You are disabled or terminally ill and cannot drive.
6. You are a caregiver and feel more comfortable being home.
5. You are a Mom who enjoys massage after the kids are asleep and gets a good night rest herself.
4. You work a ridiculous amount of hours.
3. You are a Man who does not do the spa and robe thing.
2. You are a groups celebrating a special occasion or gathering for a spa party.
1. People with a lot of stress and little free time.

Mobile Spa’s have increased so rapidly because society is better-educated, mass marketing of massage; media coverage and greater support from the medical community. More and more people recognize massage as an important element to their overall health and looking for spa alternatives to suit their busy lifestyles. Mobile Spa’s, will save time, decrease environmental stress and bring you longer lasting peace and health.

1.AMTA Fact Finding Sheet; 2008
2. U.S Department of Labor ;2007



Bridget Turnbach is the owner of The Pampered Spirit Mobile Massage and Spa located in NJ.
To find out more about The Pampered Spirit visit thepamperedspiritnj.com

You Are A Perfect Gift!

The month of December always brings warm memories and anticipation for things yet to come. My family celebrates Christmas. I think of Christmas as the coming of the light. There is excitement in the air. No matter what is going on personally I turn my thoughts to others and the spirit of giving.
What can I do for others? What do people really need? The answer has never been tangible. I believe the answer is love, time and peace. Love from your family and friends, time to spend with those you love and peace of mind to enjoy the moment.
How do we give the best of ourselves when we may not always feel these emotions we wish for others? Take a deep breath, enjoy a happy memory or visualize a new one, breathe again and enjoy the moment. You have just given yourself Love, time to remember and the peace of mind to do so. Now go out and spread the joy, tell others of your secret and live by example. The rest will take care of itself. Allow yourself to enjoy more time and block schedule smaller increments of time for the rest of those thougts that consume of all too often . Life is to short.

Peace, Health and Love to all this holiday season!

Bridget Turnbach is the owner of The Pampered Spirit Mobile Massage & Spa Co. Time by yourself for yourself. Spa Treatments in the comfort of your home, office or hotel suite. Traveling NJ.
http://thepamperedspiritnj.com

My first Mammography!

It’s cold and gray outside, typical February morning. My appointment is not till 2:30. The waiting is making me anxious! In the shower I frantically start doing a self-breast exam and begin to worry if everything is normal; was that lump there last month? I’m dressed; it’s 12:30 p.m. I run a few errands around town and find myself forgetting simple things like; my cell phone and the coffee on the counter at WaWa. I desperately need some more caffeine. I am starting to sweat and I am not wearing any deodorant. I play around on the computer till 2:05. Time to leave, the wind blows the car door against my shoulder; ouch! I arrive at the Brick Imaging Center at 2:20.
The receptionists’ were extremely polite. Everyone at the center appeared warm with sweet dispositions. I filled out paperwork with a pen in the shape of a rose. More sweetness! Next, I am greeted by my technician; the person who in a few short minutes will be lifting, moving and pressing my breasts onto a plate. I am lead through two curtains to a pseudo dressing room where I undress and re-dress in a poncho split up the front and split slightly higher on the sides. I am glad I wore my “big” jeans for the occasion! Now for the wait….there is two other women in the room with me dressed in pastel capes with pocketbook swung over their arms. After only five minutes I complain out loud to my robed comrades, “Boy, how long do we have to wait in hear”? I realized at that moment it had only been a few minutes. I guess I couldn't’t stand the silence. I began to get into a good Ladies Home Journal article on cheating spouses when I hear, “Mrs. Turnbach, come with me”. (Hold on one minute, it dawned on me this is the second time since I’ve arrived I have been called Mrs. Turnbach, Do they HAVE to keep reminding me of how old I am and that I am here for a mammography!)
The Test:
The technician could not have been nicer. We talked about hair. She liked my hair cut. I said, “I did not really do anything with it today” (you know, no reason because I was just being checked for CANCER!) Her hair was thin, shoulder length with bad bangs, she said she always had the bangs and was considering growing them out. She wanted the reverse bob like me but did not think it would look good. (As much as I enjoyed talking to her, I’m thinking is it over yet? Are the pictures being taken as we speak? Is there someone else coming into the room to man handle my breasts like raw meatballs in a busy Italian restaurant?) My eyes begin to dart around and I said to the sweet tech, “O.K.”. She must have known I was then ready. The instruction begins, “Swing the right side of the cape over your shoulder please” Miss nice girl with bad hair said. Boob is exposed! Who cares, I have no problem topless. (For some this may be embarrassing and nervousness may set in) I just did not know, since it was my first time, what to do in this position? Do I stand straight, move my breast to the right, and turn sideways? Then the lady gently lays her soft hands on my breast and kneads the tissue (three times; top bottom and side) forward onto the squishy breast plate. The test was a breeze. Two pictures each breast. The first picture is taken head on; first right breast, then left. The pad your breast laid on was soft and warm. Watch out though for your ribcage that leans up against the metal of the machine, that’s chilly, Burr! The clear plastic plate came down on my breast, squishing it like a sandwich. I glanced down and notice numbers 1, 5, 10, 15 on the “breast plate” Mine filled it all the way to the 15! Not bad I thought (like I even knew what these numbers meant). Hurt? No! Weird? Yes! Especially if you look down at your breast tissue and see it in a way that you HAVE NEVER SEEN A BREAST LOOK BEFORE. Not even Picasso himself could masterfully arrange this form.
Back in the waiting room…
I open a Christmas issue of Redbook and WA-LA! A before and after picture of a lady, with thin Blond hair, with the reverse boob (oops, I meant bob, I will leave that slip) I rip out the picture for what’s her name because of the similarity. I am still in my super hero cape! Wait wait wait…, 20 more minutes. “Mrs. Turnbach”, (I am used to being called by my sur name at this point, “Yess!” “Come with me”. We step into a room and I am barely through the doorway before the nurse says; “Everything is fine, you have healthy breast tissue, we will see you back… (Is she kidding? fine? I went through all of this and I am fine, this is surreal, I was prepared for the worst, hair loss, reconstruction if necessary, buying everything with pink on it, when is the walk?) In 5 years at age 40, 35 is just a base line. Then after the age of 40 it is once a year, O.K.” I respond with a big, “O.K., O.K.”! Yippee, I trot back to the dressing room/waiting room. There was some baby powder I took advantage of since you have to have the test with no deodorant on or perfumes. Dressed, my black Coach bag dusted with powder, I leave the office but not before finding Miss Nice Person to give her the picture of the Redbook Model. She seemed to genuinely appreciate the gesture and said she may just get the nerve to try the new style one day. Then she asked me if I cut hair? “No”, I said.
Off I go…back in my truck I felt dizzy…where am I going? Hey, who cares, I do not have cancer, Thank God! THANK GOD!
Breast Cancer awareness has significantly increased over the past several years. In 2007, 32 million dollars was raised for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Perhaps all this awareness has frightened some women believing; I could have breast cancer. This may or may not be the case. The best detection of this potentially fatal and life changing illness is the Mammogram! So GO! GO every year, DO NOT wait, there is nothing to be worried about; See!


Bridget Turnbach is the owner of The Pampered Spirit Mobile Massage & Spa Co. Bringing the spa experience to you in the comfort and convenience of your home, office or hotel suite.
http://thepamperedspiritnj.com