The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Massage Therapist Eric Williams demonstrates his craft at Renewing Touch Massage on Johnstown Road. Williams, who suffers from sciatica, said massage therapy changed his life, and since opening Renewing Touch Massage at 1104 Johnstown Road in July, he’s been bringing similar results to other individuals. F. Brian Ferguson

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September 18, 2011

Beneficial treatment

By Nick Brockman Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — Once a patient himself, Eric Williams now brings the benefits of massage therapy to others.

Williams, who suffers from sciatica, said massage therapy changed his life, and since opening Renewing Touch Massage at 1104 Johnstown Road in July, he’s been bringing similar results to other individuals.

“After three to four sessions, I literally went from a pain scale of a 10 to a two, and that was without medication, just something completely natural,” Williams said. “After that, it prompted me to look into holistic health.”

Doctor after doctor prescribed pain medication for the sciatica, Williams said, but it wasn’t until his visits to a massage therapist that he felt true relief.

Williams, a Beckley native and 1999 Woodrow Wilson graduate, said he had been a nursing assistant for nine years in the process of becoming a registered nurse (R.N.), until he decided to change paths. Williams eventually graduated from Mountain State School of Massage in Charleston at the head of his class.

Now, Williams aims to provide relief to not just sciatica sufferers, but anyone seeking pain relief or prevention.

“Honestly, it can really benefit anyone, primarily anybody that’s suffering from any type of muscle pain or any type of athlete, prevent injury, just anybody in general,” he said.

In addition to providing pain relief, Williams said he has another aspiration with his business.

“One of my biggest goals is making massage therapy more affordable, so anybody can afford it and just to make sure more people can experience the benefits from it.”

Williams said he specializes in tension and headache relief as well as Swedish, deep tissue, basic sports and trigger point therapy. He charges $55 an hour, while other massage therapists might charge $70.

“There’s a lot of health-related benefits associated with massage,” he said. “You can help prevent a lot of injuries, relieve pain.”

Benefits include lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, Williams said. Massage therapy can also help fibromyalgia and reduce acne, he added.

According to the business’ website, www.renewingtouchmassage.com, other benefits include improved joint function and flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety and increased immune function.

Williams said the business is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Services are available by request on Saturdays and for companies, too, Williams added.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 304-673-1820 or 304-894-8532.

— E-mail: nbrockman@register-herald.com

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