“My goal overall is to take away people’s pain,” Gervin explained, “or at the very least minimize it and give them the ability to perform their activities of daily living a little easier, to live their lives with less aches or pains.”
What she sees depends a bit on the time of year. In spring when people are raking yards, or in the winter shoveling snow, it is almost exclusively lower back problems. Gervin said there are hip, neck and shoulder issues. She will do the massages for relaxation, but mainly people are coming in with a physical problem.
In technique, Gervin said she errs on the side of deep pressure massage, although she will modify if there is pain from the treatment. There are times when the medical situation indicates a deep massage is not a good idea, or if they are coming for stress relief it is not what they are looking for. However, in a lot of cases, the deep dive is what is needed, and will help people leave feeling there has been an improvement.
“Generally, it is more therapeutic, to fix a problem,” she said. “Get in there, dig it out, a little bit of pain at the time, but feels better later.”
At this point, she is not using other techniques, but would like to include blading, which uses an instrument to reduce pain, increase blood flow and break up muscle spasms/tightness, cupping and hot stone massages. Gervin said she will now have more space to store the equipment and different items will help her save her hands a little.
She added she has a good clientele, and is still adding people. Some are regular, others come when needed. Although there are other massage therapists in Boissevain, she feels there is also a lot of need.
“I like to look at it that if we were not here, people would still be in pain. We just get to provide them with that service and care and hopefully make a difference.”
Soleil is French for sun. Although Gervin said she does not speak the language, when she was looking for a name for her business, the sun embodied a positive experience, which is what she wanted to give to the community.
She will not be alone in the building. Eventually, Synthesis will be moving in as well. The idea is for the space to be used for her massage therapy during the day, and then it will be used for the karate in the evenings. There is very little massage equipment to move out of the way, but in the future some changes to the inside might be made.
As well, they are also looking at the possibility of offering the space for other uses like yoga or exercise classes in the future. The building was once Soul Worx yoga studio, so this would be fitting.
The plan is for Soliel to be fully moved in by December 14, and then open the following Monday. Synthesis will join in later. Gervin said there is not too much work to be done to the building, as it was used recently.
Although she was happy with her current location, the new building will allow her to put her sign out front, more anonymity for those who want it, and a sense of permanence.
“Looking forward to it for sure,” Gervin said. “A little sad to leave the salon after the time I have been there, but it’s good to look forward. It will bring good things.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff