WILMINGTON, MA — Hatfield’s Healing Hands Massage Therapy is holding its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this Monday, September 16, 2019, from 5pm to 7pm, at its new Wilmington location — 5 Middlesex Avenue, Unit 15A. Members of the public are invited to come meet owner Courtney Hatfield and enjoy giveaways, raffles and refreshments.
Hatfield recently took a few moments from her busy schedule to answer five quick questions from Wilmington Apple.
How long have you been a massage therapist?
I have been practicing for six years. I went to Nashua Community College to earn my certificate in Holistic Massage Therapy. I received extensive training there. I started my career working at a spa for about a year. After the spa was sold, I went into franchises and worked for Elements for awhile. I liked it, but I really wanted to do something a little bit more up my alley. I decided I wanted to open up my own practice and I came to Wilmington.
Why did you choose Wilmington as the location to start your own practice?
I ended up getting a good foot in the door here. There was a practice in Wilmington called Mainstream Massage Therapy. Jane Cannizaro, the owner, announced that she was retiring and was looking for someone to take over her clientele and help her wrap things up. She was in business for 25 years and had a lot of clients, many of whom she sent to me. I’ve been trying to take good care of them and make her proud over the past two years.
[Cannizaro] recommended I reach out to Dr. Stephen Jensen of Wilmington Family Chiropractic. He ended up providing me space in his office. He referred a lot of clientele to me.
While there, I met a local running group called the Sole Sisters. They’re so fun. I’ve made a lot of connections through them.
And I’m familiar with Wilmington because my mom grew up here and graduated from high school here. It’s been neat to get to know the town that she was raised in. I’m now seeing some of the things she’s been talking about over the years.
Why did you move to your new location on Middlesex Avenue?
My practice grew, and it grew a lot faster than I anticipated. The growth has been a huge blessing. It’s amazing that I’m here in my location. I moved from Dr. Jensen’s Office to Middlesex Avenue in late July/early August.
The number of clients I have varies month to month. I typically work on seven clients a day. I like to space them out so I have enough time to give them the thorough feedback and recommendations they deserve. I like to do a very intensive intake. I am not one of those practices that are just in and out, worried about the numers. I’m more about the care. I want to make sure each person feels special, feels heard, and gets what they need out of the session.
While I am a sole proprietor, I rent out my second room to a Reiki practitioner, Jeanine Tamboli, of breathe ‘n believe. She’s really wonderful.
What should a new client at Hatfield’s Healing Hands expect?
A lot of my clients have been through word-of-mouth, but I am listed online. I encourage people to read my great feedback and reviews. I try my best to be very accommodating. If I can’t provide what the person needs, I like to refer out to physical therapists, chiropractiatrs, and other massage therapists.
I’ve met some of the other massage therapists in town. There are really great. They’re wonderful. They do amazing work. What sets me apart, in general, is the oncology I specialize in. I’ve been doing this for awhile now. I have a fair amount of experience. My experience sets me apart too. Each experience I have has changed me and given me even more of a drive and motivation to help people.
I especially enjoy building relationships with clients and seeing their faces when they walk out of the massage and tell me it made a huge difference. I enjoy interacting with them and getting to learn about their lives.
I work by appointment. I usually work Monday through Saturday. During the summer, it’s Monday through Friday. I always try to fit people in and accommodate their schedule whenever possible.
The most common appointment is 60 minutes long. It gives you enough time to focus on the whole body while still being able to get a little extra attention on an area you may need. 30 minutes is generally for more focused work. It’s all about consistency though. How often you come in is how much you’ll get out of it. It’s similar to going to the gym. You’re not going to go to the gym once and walk out with a 6-pack. Each therapy session makes a difference. The more consistently you do it, the more you’ll benefit.
I work with all types of clients — from pediatric to the elderly. I work with everyone under the sun.
Why did you join the Wilmington-Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce?
I heard about the Wilmington-Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce from Dr. Jensen and other business owners in the area. One of my clients is actually member. They all told me I should join. The Chamber’s Executive Director Nancy Vallee has been great. I’ve already been able to make a lot of connections from the Chamber. I’m so happy I joined.
Owning my own small business been awesome so far. It’s been so cool being able to meet all new people. I’m constantly busy, but in a good way. It’s been a lot of fun. I look forward to meeting even more people at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, at my office on Monday, September 16, 2019, from 5pm to 7pm.
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 