About us

How has massage changed/influence your life?
I cannot think of a facet of my that life has NOT been influenced or changed by massage! My personal physical health and wellbeing continue to improve over my years of practicing; I have become far less stressed and more mellow and flexible as an individual. Through my practice, I have become a better communicator (both listening and speaking) with others and continue to see growth here all the time. Most significantly and for what I am most grateful, massage helps me appreciate ALL INDIVIDUALS.  Intangibly, massage has brought me to a better understanding of myself, my past experiences, and my priorities; and it has shifted my thinking process from finding answers, knowing, and fixing toward a mindset of making connections and correlations.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
My favorite style of massage to give is a blend of myofascial and rhythmic techniques. Myofascial techniques, both subtle and deep, are my favorite to receive. When intention is shifted from working a specific tissue/muscle/structure to working within the SYSTEM of connection encompassing all tissue, I find more significant release occurs and often the release(s) lasts longer.

What do you do for personal self-care?
Over the years, I have incorporated many practices into my daily routine and have made lifestyle changes as well to better care for myself and be able to enjoy my life to its fullest. Some practices I follow daily, others as often as possible.

Daily: Spiritual practice of both prayer and meditation, exercise (resistance band strengthening, HIIT-style circuit training, and walking), a minimum of ten minutes of self-massage, stretching and range of motion ongoing throughout my day, listen to music and sing/dance along, drinking lots of water, reading for pursuit of knowledge, ENJOYING TIME WITH MY FAMILY

Lifestyle: Eat mostly vegetables, grains, fruit and nuts (rarely consume meat and even more rarely dairy and eggs, >1 serving/week); prepare most of my own food daily; often drink only water, black coffee, unsweetened tea on a daily basis; very limited use of handheld tech devices and a very limited online presence; continually reading something for pleasure; regular date nights and healthy intimacy with my husband; salt baths; MASSAGE; salt floats

Why did you choose Freedom?
I initially chose to pursue Freedom Massage for employment because of two things: I was impressed and intrigued by the video of Diane on the website, and because an old friend and coworker from a prior position was a Freedom therapist and RAVED about working here. Every day I choose Freedom again because of the many (and ever-growing) list of reasons that so closely align with my personal priorities and ethics. Here’s a short list, just to name a few:

• IT FEELS SO GOOD INSIDE THE WALLS!
• I am heard by my boss and told regularly that I am appreciated
• I feel respected by my boss, coworkers, and clients
• I have worked in other settings/environments in this profession and have seen “other ways”
• Freedom Massage is a CLIENT-FOCUSED business

What makes Freedom Massage different?
Freedom Massage has been built by an owner who is a massage therapist; she understands the “job” and the many balances involved in creating an EXPERIENCE for clients each and every session. This business is CLIENT-FOCUSED and the therapists are HAPPY and well-cared-for. The staff here all work with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity I have ever experienced throughout my entire employment history, including work outside of this profession. ALL of the reasons that I choose to work here, which I listed in the previous question, are also parts of what makes Freedom Massage different.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Massage provides a unique opportunity to align community service, creativity, and continuous learning into the wonders of the human body. Since the first day of massage school I have been impressed by the community attracted to this profession and their diversity of experiences, professional massage goals, and above-average empathy. Being surrounded daily by knowledgeable and experienced therapists who welcome questions and discussion is immensely satisfying and helpful for my own growth.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
Prior to massage school, the only “professional” massage experiences I’d had were of TuiNa (Traditional Chinese massage) while living in China (5 years). I’m incredibly interested in experiencing all modalities that  are out there, but generally prefer deeper pressure for myself, and I find the most interesting massages are those from practitioners who adapt and integrate their education with their individual style.

What do you do for personal self care?
Generally what recharges my batteries the most is hiking, biking,  camping, mushroom foraging, reading, and spending time with friends and family. I am also more and more appreciative of yoga and other flow arts with my continuing education of anatomy and kinesiology.

Why did you choose Freedom?
The principles and values of Diane and her team emphasize compassion and listening, continuous education, and offers incredible opportunities to improve as a therapist alongside other dedicated professionals. I have previously worked around 98% remotely as an IT professional in the Life Sciences (5 years, before work-from-home, was popular or necessary), and while I value my independence greatly, the opportunity to be surrounded by a creative team who love continually getting better at helping others is a valuable experience that brings me so much joy.

What makes Freedom Massage Different?
I think the values of the team at Freedom are so unique and focused on professional competence at the highest level, that it brings me both personal and professional pride to count myself as a team member.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
As someone with a high stress job where I was on call 24/7, massage offered me the opportunity to step away from the chaos and take a break for myself. For the time that I was in a session, I was able to clear my mind of all those things and just relax. Coming out of massage, I always felt refreshed and reenergized.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
My personal favorite massage to receive is the basic Swedish style intended for relaxation. I especially like long, flowing strokes that give you a nice stretch while still having deeper, focused work where necessary. I recently had the opportunity to experience Lomi Lomi massage and was immediately drawn to the rhythmic, flowing nature of the massage and began my studies of this modality to see how I could incorporate this into my work. By learning many different styles and mixing these different aspects into a massage, I think it allows me to create a unique experience that meets each client’s individual needs.

What do you do for personal self care?
I try to make sure I complete at least 3 strength training and core workout sessions per week. While things can get a little busy at times and this doesn’t always happen, the one routine I can never miss is my daily walk. My training partners (my two dogs) make sure we never miss our daily walk on the local nature trails. I also schedule regular massages and take advantage of the heat and hydrotherapy aspects of a hot tub.

Why did you choose Freedom?
As a student, you are introduced to many different leaders in the industry. You also meet other therapists from all over the region. What I quickly noticed was that Freedom Massage often came up in conversation, not only for the quality of their therapists but also for the world renowned therapists that they worked and trained with. It was clear that Freedom ensured their therapists were well trained and they worked to ensure they remained among the leaders in the industry. After meeting Diane and Eugenia, I immediately felt welcome and knew that it would be a great environment to work in, while also helping me become a better therapist.

What makes Freedom Massage Different?
Its natural for a business to be client focused, but at Freedom, Diane is client and therapist focused. Not only does Freedom ensure the best possible experience for their clients, they make sure their therapists are provided with everything they need to help make that client experience better. By ensuring the well-being and continued training of the therapists, Freedom ensures the therapists are able to assess and address each individual client’s needs.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Massage has truly opened up a new avenue of life for me. Prior to finding massage I was stuck in a rut of a career, with no real future or potential to expand, and it soon became monotonous and frustrating. Massage was something I always had in the back of my head, always a yearning to learn. One day I just took it upon myself to check out the closest and most well-known massage school near me which happened to be Cortiva. That day after the tour I enrolled myself on the spot; it didn’t take much thought and it was the most freeing and most sudden life decision I’ve ever made, one that changed my life for the better. Once in school I got more into yoga, understanding the body, stretching and eating better. It was like a light finally went off and I felt for the first time I had a real purpose and was beyond excited to put everything into action. Since then I enjoy life so much more both through work and on a personal level.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
The style of massage I like to give varies day by day: I am always open and willing to roll with any modality and pressure range the client is feeling, although my favorite is always The Freedom Massage — this also goes for receiving! There’s something about addressing problem areas with both deep and relaxing work. Sometimes the body, I feel, can only take so much and needs a little TLC as well, so good solid pressure and a relaxing vibe always makes my day.

What do you do for personal self-care?
When it comes to personal care there’s nothing better than just taking a deep breath and allowing yourself to do nothing! Yes, of course I get my stretching, massage and workouts in throughout my busy weeks, but my favorite thing is to let my brain and body chill out by sitting outside in the mornings on my porch with a cup of coffee, just doing nothing and taking in the day. You’d be surprised I’m sure that my self-care is so simple, but my brain always seems to be going constantly and this little morning meditation time by myself, sometimes with my cat, is a really great kick start to my days.

Why did you choose Freedom Massage?
While in school at Cortiva Institute for massage my very first teacher there was so excited to share with us that we had a special guest coming in to speak. After asking more about it I found out that the speaker was going to be Diane, the owner of Freedom Massage (and now my boss!). The way my teacher spoke about her I was enthralled, I knew this was someone I had to work for. The day of the talk I made sure I had my resume’ prepared and listened intently to everything Diane had to say. It was with a shaky hand and big smile I introduced myself and passed over my resume’ even prior to graduation. After that point any time Diane came in or spoke at Cortiva I made my presence known until my graduation and passing of state boards. I was finally given the opportunity to work for my first and only choice and I am beyond fortunate to be at such an awesome place surrounded by other like-minded and driven women.

What makes Freedom Massage different?
Freedom Massage is something truly unique. I say “something” because it’s not just a place, it’s so much more. Freedom Massage is a family of well-educated, determined and loving therapists, all with their own style and views, yet who still mesh beautifully. It’s somewhere you can come as a client for the first time and be treated like you’ve been coming for years. I believe we proudly distinguish ourselves not only by the talent of the owner and therapists, but by the friendly and open nature of the studio. Equal parts professional and comforting, I haven’t been to any other place with the warmth that comes from here.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Massage has changed my life in every possible way. It gave me a profession that I am deeply passionate about. It gave me an understanding of how my own body functions. It introduced me to some of the best people I know, and ultimately brought me to Pennsylvania. I am so grateful to give back in a field that has given me so much.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
I love to receive all kinds of massage. Experiencing new modalities always inspires me in my own practice, and reminds me how much there still is to learn! I love giving therapeutic massages, and often use trigger point therapy and myofascial therapy with Swedish strokes to warm and relax tissue.

What do you do for personal self care?
I am big on drinking lots of water, stretching, and receiving massage as often as possible to keep myself in fighting shape. I recharge my batteries by cooking, hiking, biking, and spending with my husband and three cats.

Why did you choose Freedom?
I chose Freedom because I wanted to surround myself with therapists who would help me continue to learn and grow. I am proud to work in a place where everyone holds themselves to the same high standards that I do.

What makes Freedom Massage Different?
Freedom Massage is different because the focus is on excellent service, and making every client experience as relaxing as possible from start to finish. As therapists, we are empowered to do whatever we can to make our client’s experience an excellent one.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Massage has helped me become more in tune with what my body needs and how it feels. It has also helped me become more confident in myself. Believing in the work I do has given me a confidence I never would have found if it weren’t for massage.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
My favorite type of massage to give would be therapeutic massage. I try to listen to the muscles, and give them what I think they need most after discussing the needs of the client. I love working with clients over a span of time and really seeing the changes in their bodies and overall mindset. I like the same massage for myself. I always enjoy a good deep pressure massage where the therapist just knows intuitively where to go and the best course of action to take to help relieve the tight muscles.

What do you do for personal self-care?
Staying stress free and relaxed are always some of the best self-care strategies anyone can take on. If I am fully present during a massage, it will always be a great session. I also like to do a lot of stretching and icing of the wrists regularly. And of course getting a consistent massage at least once a month! I can really feel when it’s time for me to get another massage, so I like to get in as often as possible.

Why did you choose Freedom Massage?
After reading Diane’s book, Massage Therapists Guidebook, I knew I had to work at Freedom Massage. She has so many insights on not only massage itself, but life in general. She is a wealth of knowledge and loves to share that knowledge with her team.

What makes Freedom Massage different?
Freedom’s commitment to their client base is unprecedented. The client always comes first at Freedom, and Diane has done an amazing job designing her business to make clients feel comfortable, relaxed, and welcome. With her experience, Diane has cultivated such an amazing team of massage therapists dedicated to working together for the betterment of our client base.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Massage has been the greatest intersection of some of my favorite things in life: helping others, the human body, movement, problem-solving, and creativity. I’m grateful not only to have found it as something that brings me joy but also provides for me.

What style of massage do you prefer giving and receiving?
I love to blend styles so that each client gets a healthy balance of relaxation and long-term, tangible results. I think the best therapeutic work is done when clients are most comfortable. As far as receiving massage goes, my type can fall anywhere between wanting to experiment with new modalities I’ve never tried and just a nice simple Swedish that will put me to sleep. Really, I just like all bodywork!

What do you do for personal self-care?
I do what I can when I can, so it looks different daily. Sunshine, water, rest, and fresh air are my simplest answers but I think movement and good food make me feel my best! All that, plus as much massage as I can accommodate.

Why did you choose Freedom?
I chose Freedom because as someone who has worked in just about every corner of the massage industry, I wanted to settle somewhere without all the distractions that can come with working in retail, medical or spa environments. At Freedom, the only priority is to ensure you receive the best massage possible! A studio operated by a therapist was my ideal home. Still, the fact that Diane is an award-winning educator who supports a staff of equally knowledgeable, accomplished, and talented people makes it all the better. Having access to so many resources makes a difference in how we can best provide for our clients.

What makes Freedom Massage Different?
Freedom has an indescribable atmosphere that I think comes from a few places – it’s the cozy presentation of the studio itself, it’s the warmth and dedication to service all the therapists bring to their table, it’s the tools and accommodations available to maximize your comfort (including but not limited to the reclining tables and every pillow, bolster, and prop known to therapist-kind!) It is a perfect combination that makes for a great experience every time, no matter who you pair with.

How has massage changed/influenced your life?
Becoming a massage therapist has given me work I love! This career has also allowed me to express my care-giving nature, helped me slow down and notice my own body’s needs, strengthened my awareness of the mind/body connection, and provided a more healthy work/life balance.

What style of massage do you prefer to give and receive?
I enjoy working on some areas of focus while also giving the rest of the body care, to bring a connection throughout the body. This is usually the type of work I want to receive as well. I also love the subtlety of myofascial work, the feeling of deeper releases with an initially less deep pressure/touch. It is important to me, both for clients AND my own body, to acknowledge that we are different each time we come to the table and to allow ourselves a shifting nature to what we need each session. I really enjoy prenatal sessions as well!

What do you do for personal self-care?
DEFINITELY regular massage!! I try for at least once a month. In all honesty, self-care is something I often struggle with, so a lot of my self-care routine involves trying to slow down, drink enough water, get exercise, and remind myself to love myself as much as I love others.

Why did you choose Freedom Massage?
I received my first massage ever at Freedom Massage a decade before I knew I’d go to massage school. I didn’t want to work in a chain location, wanted something more local and small business oriented, and knew of Diane/Freedom through the community and school. It wasn’t really an option in my mind to work elsewhere, so I’m glad I was able to find a home here at Freedom!

What makes Freedom Massage different?
So many things! We are a tight-knit, drama free group that supports each other! Our owner, Diane, has been a practicing massage therapist for over 20 years, so we get constant mentoring from her which is invaluable. I feel we are given the time and ability to show each client individual attention, adjusting sessions to their particular needs, rather than placing them in a cookie cutter mold. We are given the ability to be involved with ideas and the day-to day function of the business, and I think this allows each one of us to be invested, responsible, and proud of the work we do!