CALIFORNIA, Md. – As Women’s History Month has recently come to a close and spring has sprung, many women in the tri-county region have started their own businesses and are thriving. One is now expanding from Solomon’s Island to California, MD to open her own franchise under the name Root and Rise Curated Massage Therapy.
The name pertains to the root chakra, which is located at the first three vertebrae and gives one a sense of safety and security.
Jenn Garner opened Whole Soul Wellness Studio in Solomons just last year and within a few short months she discovered that the need for Massage and Bodywork was far greater than she imagined. Still managing the practice solely on her own, Garner found herself out of commission early with herniated discs in her neck. After pushing through, she is back to tackle a new adventure.
Root and Rise Curated Massage Therapy is currently located at Bella Salon & Spa at 23105 Three Notch Road in California, Maryland. Garner is also looking for a team of therapists to join her.
Where Whole Soul Wellness Studio is geared towards therapeutic and clinical massage, Garner will be opening up the service menu at Root and Rise to offer reflexology and lymph drainage modalities. Foot soaks will be an option as well.
What she says is her “life’s calling” had once become an absolute necessity during her quest to uncover her own diagnosis.
“I was really sick and went through over 13 weeks of testing to find out I had an [incurable] auto-immune disease,” Garner told The BayNet. “That’s when I got my first massage, and I definitely felt relief from the very first session.”
She started her journey at the age of 40 and as a single mother and has never looked back, completing countless hours of massage and bodywork training.
“I was deathly ill and it got me out of pain for over a decade now,” Garner said. “I, like most people, thought massage and bodywork was for luxury purposes only. but it has changed every facet of my life. It’s been the best decision for me. The program pushed me totally outside of my comfort zone. It literally saved my life.”
“It’s an honor to work on others who are struggling with pain like I was. What it does for your spirit is amazing. I’m glad to now also be on the St. Mary’s side to meet the needs of a large demographic of military spouses who are looking for work. I’m still finding the balance between taking care of my own body so that I’m able to take care of others. I see about thirty clients a week and get regular body work done by colleagues.”
“This whole thing happened organically. This is my offering to the world. It is a very vulnerable situation for most and it’s an honor to walk down this journey with my clients. The work has changed my life for the better.”
Currently, fifty percent of clients are seeking massage for injury maintenance and rehab purposes Garner said. The other half is maintaining the stresses of daily living.
“They’re mentally, emotionally, and physically burnt out,” Garner said. “just living in 2024. They are finding it difficult to thrive and they’re staying in fight or flight mode. You get to a point where you don’t know where and how to unravel and decompress. I work with them to just be completely present with themselves. Touch therapy allows their adrenaline to come down. I create a nonjudgemental space for that.”
Garner wants the general public to know that some health insurance is now paying for therapeutic massage and bodywork treatments. She also can answer questions for you regarding whether or not insurance companies can reimburse you after treatment.
She said she feels an urgency to work with women struggling through menopause or hormonal changes.
“I feel a huge calling there,” she said. “Hormonal changes play into the adrenaline gland. I’m trying to give clients the tools in their toolbox so that they can thrive instead of just surviving.
Garner stated Massage Therapists that who are already therapists in other states can be expedited.
“I thought maybe it’s time to get serious about building a franchise for other massage therapists to join my team. There are a number of therapists here locally that have been licensed in other states and now Maryland has changed some things on the board to enable them to become licensed in Maryland a little easier. I want to facilitate that. I also give discounts to active duty military and veterans.”
Garner stated that she is available for questions or concerns and can be reached at wholesoulwellnessllc@gmail.com
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