Massage Haven Is Open for Business

For Evonda Timbers, providing exceptional massage therapy is not the only reason she opened her own place, Massage Haven in Fair Haven. She also wants to teach her clients how to take better care of themselves and their loved ones.

“I became a massage therapist to educate society about the benefits of massage,” she said.

With the business opening on April 27, Timbers hopes to show her clients a range of healing techniques, including those used during a couples massage, which Timbers will feature every Saturday afternoon.

“It’s about learning techniques so after a few minutes you’re not complaining that your hands hurt,” she said.

Timbers has each partner learn and practice strokes on each other, such as compression, effleurage, kneading, and petrissage. While massage can help relieve stress and tension, she also believes it’s a way to enhance and deepen your connection with your partner.

“My clients walk out confident they have the skills to give a good massage,” she said.

Timbers also specializes in massage for sports injuries and medical conditions, including injuries from auto accidents.

She believes strongly in the importance of massage as a drug-free alternative to healing, as the benefits include improved blood circulation, increased range of motion, stress relief, and pain relief.

Some of the conditions she successfully treats include back pain, whiplash, plantar fasciitis, headaches, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, sciatica, and tennis elbow.

Her massage services include Swedish, deep tissue, warm stone, reflexology, Rossiter, ear candling, prenatal, and shiatsu, among others. Spa treatments include such anti-aging techniques as Dead Sea salt, Black Diamond massage, body wraps, and body polish.

Her latest endeavor is candle massage. In lieu of massage cream, she explained, she uses the wax from a scented massage candle.

“You should feel how soft your skin becomes,” she said.

Timbers received her training at the Therapeutic Massage Training Center in Westfield, and worked for several years at a local high-end spa. She went out on her own because she wanted to give her clients more attention.

“When you work in a spa, you’re bound to a time limit,” she said. “Get them in, get them out.”

For Timbers, it’s about building relationships with her clients and tailoring massages to their individual needs. She takes the time to get to know her clients and offers personalized tips.

After each massage, she gives her clients a “prescription” with recommended stretches they can do at home. She may also recommend using such products as essential oils, for example lemongrass for energy and lavender for sunburns.

“I’m trying to help you take ownership of your body and your healing,” she said.

Massage Haven accepts all major insurances. For more information, visit www.massageinnj.com.