Meet Studio BE Pilates Masseur Chris Link
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Meet Studio BE Pilates Masseur Chris Link. Chris has been providing professional, customized massage therapy to discerning clients in Northern Virginia.
A loving and attentive husband and father, Chris shares his professional life with a focus on his family. He greatly cherishes spending time with his young son and enjoys taking every opportunity to do so.
Having played drums professionally for many years, Chris enjoys the similarities of artistic expression, flow, grounding, and connection to awareness that massage therapy and musicianship share.
He is nationally certified by the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork), licensed in Fairfax County and by the Virginia Board of Nursing, and a member of ABMP (Allied Bodywork and Massage Professionals).
In his approach to therapeutic work, Chris attentively marries energetic modalities like Reiki with relaxing massage styles and more clinical approaches like deep tissue work and myofascial release. He focuses on mind/body connection and general homeostasis along with relaxation and therapeutic maintenance.
Chris is intuitive, caring, and responsive to the needs of his clients.
Studio BE: Many people view massage as a luxury rather than a necessity. Why are regular massages essential for optimum health and wellness?
Chris: Such a great question! It is difficult sometimes to explain to potential clients why they need regular massage as maintenance. Often times, people will wait until they are in pain before they come and receive bodywork. At that point, I can help, but I am sad that they have let it go so far. I much prefer seeing clients when they are not in pain or dysfunction. It is so much easier to maintain a body when it is in better repair rather than wait until it starts to have problems.
Regular massage, at least every 2 to 4 weeks, helps us keep tabs on the condition of our bodies, and helps our minds and bodies come together to much higher states of happiness and homeostasis. Maintenance is way better than emergency relief.
Studio BE: There are so many different types of massages out there. What types of massage do you specialize in, and how do I decide what type of massage is right for me?
Chris: Over the years I have studied various massage modalities from relaxation techniques to therapeutic and clinical techniques. I do energy work with Reiki. I do basic Swedish and relaxation techniques. I also do more clinical techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point work, and myofascial release. Needs vary from person to person and session to session.
It is up to me and the client to assess needs and find the appropriate balance of techniques required to give them the very best outcome possible each time they receive a massage.
A quality therapist will always default to the requests of their clients. Whenever in doubt, tell your therapist what your needs and preferences are. I would recommend trying as much massage as you can to find out what best suits your needs. I still do.
Studio BE: As someone who lives with chronic pain and multiple autoimmune diseases, I’ve found massage helps reduce my pain. How could massage benefit someone with chronic pain and health challenges? What specific conditions respond well to massage?
Chris: I’m so glad that Massage gives you relief! I have seen varied reactions over the years with various ailments and diseases. Relief depends on the person and how their body responds to the work.
I find that those with chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia really get great relief from regular work. Even if it is only for a few days at a time, sometimes it is the only thing that takes the pain away.
I could talk at length about other ailments and conditions that massage has helped. Regardless, for a person in physical need to relax and connect their mind to their body, I have found that massage tends to help, in its own way, no matter what.
Studio BE: From a technical standpoint, how does the body respond to massage? Why do I feel so much better physically and emotionally after a massage?
Chris: First of all, emotional well being will affect physical well-being. Our bodies tend to react to our emotional stimuli. Therefore, therapeutic massage sessions that affect physical wellness will likely affect emotional wellness unintentionally.
It is not technically my job as a massage therapist to work on the emotional aspects of my clients. However, I can’t avoid the tendency for the two to be connected. The mind and the body are certainly in direct association.
On a physiological level, as for why you feel better physically and emotionally after a massage: Physically, massage promotes the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid throughout the body. Relieving soft tissues of adhesions and blockages, and generally promote circulation and wellness to the tissue.
On the emotional level, massage affects the sympathetic nervous system which also affects the unconscious actions in the body. It is not uncommon for massage clients to have emotional releases during sessions.
Studio BE: Some women might feel uncomfortable working with a male masseuse. What would you like to say to help alleviate any awkward feelings some women might have?
Chris: Though I don’t know many male massage therapists, including myself, who mind the distinction much, I will nonetheless take this opportunity for an educational moment. Technically, a male massage therapist is a “masseur” not a “masseuse”. It is simply the French masculine and feminine vernacular.
Terminology aside, stigmas exist. It is something that any professional medical or health professional might contend with. Much as a male might prefer a male proctologist or a female might prefer a female gynecologist, for example, it is not uncommon for a particularly sexed client to prefer a particular sexed therapist.
However, there have been smile-evoking events over the years when I have experienced reluctant women who ended up on my massage table for various reasons. They have said things like, “what the heck, I’ll give it a try.” The vast majority have become regular clients who enjoy my sessions more than those with female therapists. They often say “why the heck didn’t I try a man sooner?”
Professionals in any industry are professional to the core. Male therapists tend to take their professionalism extremely seriously if they want to excel within their field.
However, generally speaking, a person’s preference is their preference. If they prefer not to be on my table, I would prefer not to have them there. But if they end up there, I would love the opportunity to change their mind.
Studio BE: What days are you available for massage at Studio BE, and how could I book a massage with you?
Chris: I have sessions available at Studio BE on Sundays and Tuesdays and advanced booking is recommended. Please contact the studio to schedule your appointment.