About Us
THERA-SSAGE services are provided by North Carolina
Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage Therapists and
Bodyworkers, Licensed Acupuncturists, a Licensed Doctor of
Chiropractic, a Registered Nurse trained in Aesthetics, and Energy
Workers.

D. Ezra Edgerton, Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Naturopathy.  
Dr. Edgerton has a BA in Geology from UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated from
Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo.  Ezra's motto is Natural medicine
first, drugs second, surgery last.  His philosophy is that the best doctors prevent
what they are treating!  In addition to his expertise as a chiropractor, Ezra
practices naturopathy and is one of the most knowledgeable people about
nutrition we have ever met.  Ezra does not believe in just throwing you on the
table and cracking your spine.  He conducts a thorough intake interview and
may recommend nutritional changes that help reduce pain and conquer
inflammation, if that's one of your problems.  Ezra practices traditional spinal
manipulation, and also uses adjunct therapies for people who are in fear of
getting a manipulation.  Ezra prefers to treat the body as a whole, and will work
with you to make your body function as optimally and pain-free as possible. In
his spare time, Ezra also plays a mean fiddle and loves horses.  He also
maintains a practice in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.

CHAMP ALLEN is a Master Teacher and Practitioner of Gendai Reiki.  He has
been practicing energy work since 1999.  Champ's compassionate touch
facilitates healing on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.  Champ is also a
graduate of The Whole You School of Massage & Bodywork in Rutherfordton,
NC, but prefers to limit his practice to energy modalities.  Champ has also
studied addictions and counseling at
Isothermal Community College, Western
Piedmont Community College, and Tennessee State University.  Champ is also
the owner of Champ Allen Quality Carpentry.  Champ has been wielding a
hammer for almost 40 years and does beautiful custom decks, cabinetry, etc.  
You can reach him at 828-289-5049.  In his spare time, Champ enjoys riding his
Harley, working on his Harley, or talking about his Harley.

LAURA ALLEN has been practicing Healing Touch since 1993 and massage
and bodywork since 1998.  She is a graduate of
The Whole You School of
Massage & Bodywork in Rutherfordton, NC.  Laura is the author of the Plain &
Simple Guide to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Examinations, 2nd edition
published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins in  2009, and also authored a second
book, also published by LWW, entitled
One Year to a Successful Massage
Therapy Practice.  A new book, also published by LWW, is coming out in 2010.f

She is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education under the National
Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, offering a wide array
of
continuing education classes for licensed therapists, as well as preparatory
classes for passing the NCE.  She is currently serving a five-year term on the
North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy and is a member of the
Carolina Emergency Response Massage Team  

Laura graduated with a degree in psychology from Shaw University with honors
and completed master's classes in psychology through on-line study. Laura is a
frequent contributor to
Massage & Bodywork as well as Massage Magazine,
including having a weekly blog on their e-zine at
www.massagemag.com.  Laura
works as a
massage school and practitioner consultant, and no longer
personally accepts any new clients for massage therapy except for occasional
research projects.  Laura is also well-known as a singer, musician and
songwriter in Western North Carolina and has made appearances on public
radio, public television, and is featured on 4 compilation CDs with various artists,
including the critically acclaimed
By the Light of the Moon by Allen, Davis &
Hogwild.  
Read more about Laura....

JACK BOYD is Certified in The Rolf Method of Structural Integration.  Jack's
work seeks to restore the body's natural framework after getting bent out of
shape by years of bad habits, stress, injury, and the hidden insidious effects of
fighting gravity.  Jack is a graduate of the
Guild for Structural Integration in
Boulder, Colorado, holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, and is also
certified as a personal life coach from Landmark Education.  He also maintains a
practice in Asheville, North Carolina.  If you'd like to know more about Jack and
the original Rolf Method of Structural Integration, please visit his website at
www.healthru-structural-integration.com   In his spare time, Jack enjoys
practicing yoga and living a green and healthy lifestyle.  

JENNIFER BURNETT is  a Licensed Acupuncturist  and a Diplomat of the
National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  Her
skill and easy-going manner will make even first-timers comfortable with the
needles.  Acupuncture can address so many problems: chronic pain, lack of
energy, addictions, incontinence, insomnia, and more.  She received her
Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Southwest Acupuncture
College in Boulder. During her educational endeavors, Jennifer received a
scholarship for high academic achievement in herbal medicine.  She has a
particular interest in working with OB-GYN patients and with cancer patients.
Jennifer also maintains a practice in Asheville, North, Carolina.

If you've never tried acupuncture because of a fear of needles, bear
in mind that the acupuncture needles are much finer than those used
for injections.

DEANY MARTIN, RN
is Certified in Microdermabrasion and is also trained in
Manual Lymphatic Drainage through the Upledger Institute. We are particularly
proud of our microdermabrasion process, which uses baking soda, not the toxic
aluminum oxide used in most other places.  Deany is also a Certified Natural
Health Professional and is very knowledgeable about herbs and nutrition.

Deany has been a Registered Nurse since 1961, and has had a career as a
humanitarian in the jungles of Ecuador and Guatemala, and served on the
Hospital Ship HOPE.  Deany speaks fluent French, Spanish, and Arabic, and
currently acts as a multi-lingual counselor and interpreter for the Rutherford
County Health Department.  She is a graduate of the Samaritan School of
Nursing in Ashland, Ohio. In her spare time, Deany is an accomplished actress
who appears in many theatrical productions in Western North Carolina.

KELLY MCPHERSON  Kelly is a graduate of the Center for Massage and
Natural Healing in Weaverville, NC.  Kelly specializes in relaxation massage,
deep tissue massage, and hot stone therapy.  We hope you'll give Kelly a try.  
She is the mother of two young girls and enjoys her dogs and frequent trips to
the beach to recharge.

JAYSON MEE works with us to provide outcalls, and is also available for
anyone who simply prefers the touch of a male therapist. Jay is very
knowledgeable about aromatherapy, and also practices hot stone massage.
Jay is a graduate of SHI in Dayton, OH.

MARGARET O'SHEA  earned her certification in massage therapy from the
Metro Business College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A recent transplant to
North Carolina, Margaret enjoys focusing on deep tissue massage and also has
training in spa techniques. She is the mother of two children and a very welcome
addition to our team of talented therapists.

TRACEY RATHBONE is a great addition to our staff.  Tracey  graduated from  
The Whole You School of Massage & Bodywork in January of 2006.  Tracey
enjoys putting people into a profound state of relaxation.  She has also had
training in aromatherapy and spa techniques.  Tracey is also a Reiki Master
practitioner and teacher, and was recently certified as a Kaya Regeneration
Therapy practitioner .  Visit her website at
http://www.reikilightandlove.com

MARY RICHARDSON is a compassionate and talented massage therapist and
educator.  Mary is a graduate of The Whole You School of Massage & Bodywork
and is also trained in Spa Therapies, including all the treatments we offer here at
THERA-SSAGE.  We're happy to welcome here to our roster of great therapists.  
Mary has had a dual career for the past five years, teaching kindergarten in the
Rutherford County school system, and doing massage during school breaks.  
We are happy to report that she has decided to devote herself to massage full-
time now, and we're lucky to get her!

MICHELE TANNER is a Professional Clinical Herbalist and the latest
wonderful addition to our staff of holistic health care practitioners.
www.michelesgardenofhealth.com

Michele has enjoyed a long-standing reputation as one of the most wonderful
chefs in North Carolina. Several years ago, she felt the calling to combine her
love for good food with her desire to use the healing, energetic aspects of
nutrition for making positive lifestyle changes. Michele is available to discuss
lifestyle choices based on the personal taste, genetics, metabolic rates, and
current state of your health to help you develop an eating plan that is best for
each individual.

Michele will also make supplementation recommendations grounded in
effectiveness and safety, including offering well-researched guidance grounded
in effectiveness in herbal and pharmaceutical reactions. Michele's apothecary is
impressive in that whenever possible, she grows her own organic herbs, and
when not possible, she obtains them from the most safe and reputable sources
available.

CARLA TRAINUM specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Deep Tissue
Massage, and has a specialty in the treatment of TMJ dysfunction.  Those who
suffer chronic pain benefit from regular massage.  The difference in feeling well
and increased mobility speaks for itself.  Carla is also a Reiki Master.  Carla also
holds a degree in Agriculture from the University of Delaware.  If  you're nice, she
might give you gardening advice while you're on the table.  Carla is a graduate of
The Whole You School of Massage & Bodywork in Rutherfordton, NC.  Carla is a
singer and a drummer and Sunday nights can frequently be found jamming with
Laura Allen and the rest of the Hogwild gang.

HEATHER WILTSE is Certified as an Instructor as well as practitioner of Kaya
Regeneration Therapy.  Heather is also trained in spa therapies, Hot Stone
Massage, and is very talented in the practice of Structural Rebalancing and
Neuromuscular Therapy.  She is a graduate of
The Whole You School of
Massage & Bodywork.  Heather was drawn to the healing arts; a native of
California, she formerly worked as a chiropractic assistant in her father's
practice. In her spare time Heather is a serious student of belly-dancing.
The world according to Champ:
" If I had known I was going to
live this long, I'd have taken
better care of myself! "
The world according to
Laura:

Some people make things
happen.  Some people
watch things happen.  
Some people wonder
what just happened!
Jack Boyd
Jennifer Burnett,
Licensed
Acupuncturist and
Master of Oriental
Medicine.  Jennifer
has a butterfly touch
with the needles.
Tracey Rathbone
The beautiful Deany Martin.  
Her own skin is a testimony to
her skill in taking care of
yours.  We don't have to say
how old she is, but the fact
that she's been an R.N. since
1961 is a pretty good indicator
that she looks great at any
age.
Heather Wiltse knows where
your pain is and how to get
you out of it.  
Kelly McPherson
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Contact Us
Dr. D. Ezra Edgerton,
Chiropractor and Naturopath
Margaret O'Shea
Carla Trainum
Michele Tanner
I am looking for a colon hydrotherapist to join us at THERA-SSAGE.
You must be a graduate of an IACT-approved school. Although Colon
Hydrotherapy is unregulated in North Carolina as of 01/15/2010, there
is a bill before the legislature to be considered when they reconvene in
May that is expected to pass, changing that. Send your resume to
therassage@bellsouth.net

You must have your own equipment.