Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Practicioners easing body’s stress and pain
Ref lexology and massage therapy practice opens in Pottstown
POTTSTOWN » Two health and wellness professionals have joined forces to open a new practice in Pottstown focused on Reflexology and Massage Therapy.
Charles W. Brynan and Mihae Blank have opened their practice at 304 N. Charlotte St. — the first dedicated office location for both professionals.
Brynan is the owner of Pear Garden Tai Chi and Reflexology. He currently teaches tai chi classes at the Pottstown and Boyertown YMCAs. He also travels to Phoenixville and Skippack with his reflexology practice, and does in-home sessions with private patients.
In addition to massage therapy, Blank is a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Boyertown and Pottstown YMCAs, including a senior class and water fitness, and she teaches at the TriCounty Active Adult Center in Pottstown.
Blank said she was approached several months ago by the previous owner of the N. Charlotte Street building about the possibility of moving into the space. The office had previously been a chiropractic office.
“She wondered what I was going to do once the Pottstown YMCA closes,” Blank said. “I spoke with Charles about us joining forces and opening an office, and he said he would do some research. From there, he planned out and organized everything,” she said.
“They posed the option to us and we decided to go for it,” Brynan said. “It was not expected. I have always wanted a set location and this opportunity worked.”
Brynan said the pair spent about three months doing research, obtaining permits and preparing the space. The practice officially opened April 1.
“We’re really two separate entities. I am the reflexologist and Mihae is the massage therapist. We’re not a combined business, we’re two individual sole practitioners,” Brynan said.
Each will set their own hours and each has a private entrance.
Reflexology, according to Brynan, uses an applied pressure to various points on the body, generally the feet, hands and ears.
“There is a map of points on them that relate to different parts of the body — the organs and systems like circulatory or sensory systems,” Brynan explained, adding that the pressure stimulates the body’s nervous system which can in turn ease muscle tension, facilitate blood flow and bring about a sense of deep relaxation.
“So the body wants to heal itself and normalize,” he added
A reflexologist treats the whole person — not necessarily a condition, according to Brynan. He added that he has had success in his practice with neuropathy, back, neck and hip pain, as well as plantar fasciitis.
A certified reflexologist, Brynan is a graduate of the International Academy of Medical Reflexology in Allentown.
Brynan added that he has been doing tai chi for almost 30 years, and has achieved master status. Tai chi is involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing.
“Tai chi masters have a healing art they do — whether it’s massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure,” Brynan said, adding that when he decided to add a healing art, he tried several before discovering reflexology.
“I found that with reflexology — I felt really good afterward. It stuck with me, so I thought I would study that,” he said.
Blank is a licensed massage therapist and has been practicing massage therapy for more than 10 years. She is a graduate of the Academy of Massage and Bodyworks in Pottstown.
Massage therapy, according to the Mayo Clinic, uses varying degrees of pressure and movement to manipulate the body’s soft tissues including muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin.
Blank said her clients come to her for massage to help them relax, but also for loosening tight muscles — which she said can get to a point where movement of the neck, shoulders and back is difficult.
“I have a lot of clients in Boyertown — heavy lifters who are sore after work. They come to me and we can work to pull it out,” she said.
Blank said poor posture from sitting at a computer looking down all day can cause neck and shoulder issues. Massage can help to resolve those issues.
Among the benefits of massage therapy is a reduction in stress, pain and muscle tension, according to Mayo Clinic.
Brynan and Blank will host an open house at their 304 N. Charlotte St. location on Sunday, May 20 from 12 to 3 p.m.
“We want to have people come through and see what we have set up,” Brynan said. The open house will also include some refreshments, he added.
For more information about reflexology or to contact Brynan for an appointment, call 484792-1359 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ cw bryn an reflexo logy.
To reach Blank for more information or to schedule an appointment call 610763-4123 or visit www. schedulicity.com and enter Mihae Blank and zip code 19464 in the search bar.
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