Submitted PhotoDonna Garbett of Integrative Massage and Bodywork is a licensed massage therapist who graduated from the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts in 2000.

VALDOSTA – Massage is more than just a spa service; for many, it can be a medical necessity that can help alleviate many chronic symptoms.

Medical massage focuses on providing scientifically based treatment for specific treatments and no one therapy session is exactly the same.

Donna Garbett of Integrative Massage and Bodywork is a licensed massage therapist who graduated from the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts in 2000 although this was not the path she thought she would take.

“I was pretty sure I wanted to teach psychology, but I always ended up working on people who were hurting and then I learned this was a way to make a living,” Garbett said. “When I walked into ASHA (Academy of Somatic Healing Arts), I knew it was home and I haven’t looked back.”

Garbett, who was born in Thomasville, opened her first practice called Delicate Balance in Roswell while also serving as a teacher assistant at the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts.

She moved to the Valdosta area in 2006 to be closer to family and started a family of her own. Now, there is nowhere else she can imagine being.

“I treat a range from weekend warriors to people training for marathons to people dealing with medical issues,” Garbett said.

Medical issues can range from post surgery, preventative, cancer patients, pregnancy, etc.

Garbett said an integrative therapy session, a.k.a. medical massage, may include any modality and can last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. Other services offered include integrated restoration technique, IRT structural integration, TMJ and anterior cervical, neuromuscular therapy, active isolated stretching, Russian medical massage, clinical sports massage, muscle energy technique, positional release technique, myofascial mobilization, myotherapy, craniosacral, Ace Meddi cupping, pregnancy massage, visceral reflex technique, therapeutic Swedish massage and Ingham method reflexology.

Garbett is also Vodder certified and one of her specialties is Vodder manual lymphatic drainage therapy. The therapy gently and rhythmically moves the lymph through the body, especially swollen areas of the body, relieving pressure and enhancing the functioning of the immune system.

It can be used for faster recovery from injury, reduction of swelling and discomfort from pregnancy as well as plastic surgery recovery and strengthened resistance to illness. It can also help cancer survivors reduce and maintain lymphedema.

With this long list of services offered, it can be difficult to know exactly what one may need or what each specific service provides. Garbett encourages patients to just pick up the phone and call.

“With massage of any kind, whether it’s relaxation or specialized, it is to bring awareness into your body to address issues that are found,” Garbett said. “Sometimes it’s the little things that help.”

Many patients visit Garbett to help with stress.

“Work, home life and even retirement can be stressful,” Garbett said. “People come in for a lot of stress-related issues. Massage can be good attitude adjusters and help you feel more zen no matter what issues you are faced with.”

A patient’s comfort is also a top priority for Garbett as she believes in treating each patient the way she would want to be treated.

“You never have to undress,” Garbett said. “I respect your modesty. All I may ask is you wear yoga pants, shorts or other comfy clothes. I typically need patients to be able to do stretches.”

Integrative Massage and Bodywork is located at 5108 Northwind Boulevard. And is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday. Saturdays are by appointment only. Garbett can be reached at (404) 391-3147 or via website at integrativemassagetherapy.biz.

Rates are based on time and gift cards are also offered.