Massage Helps West Bloomfield Worker with Arthritis

Raelyn Williams works at Massage Envy in West Bloomfield where she manages the front desk and customer service. But massage is important to her for other reasons. 

“Massage therapy is a great way to ease muscle pain, especially for people with arthritis," said Williams, a Waterford resident who is battling the disease. “And the Healing Hands for Arthritis Program is an even better way to help the millions of people who have arthritis.”

A young, single mom and college student, Williams was diagnosed with osteoarthritis at a very early age. She was just a year-and-a-half old when she had her first surgery to repair knee cartilage. At 24, she had ankle surgery to replace a damaged tendon.

Just last year she had her hip replaced and by age 50, she’s expecting to have all other major joints replaced. Massage is an important part of her regimen for alleviating pain and swelling, improving flexibility and circulation, and reducing stress.

Massage Envy Spa and the Arthritis Foundation have joined forces to host the third annual Healing Hands for Arthritis one-day event Sept. 18, to raise money for programs that help people with arthritis and to fund research for improved treatments and a cure.

Massage Envy will donate $10 from every one-hour massage or facial to the Arthritis Foundation. Since 2011, Massage Envy Spa has raised more than $1 million to support the Arthritis Foundation and help people with arthritis. 2.3 million adults and 10,300 children in Michigan (31 percent of the population) have arthritis.

Massage Envy’s local spas are in Ann Arbor, Northville, West Bloomfield and Rochester Hills.

To schedule an appointment, call 248-537-9999 or visit MassageEnvy.com. Those who cannot attend can still donate by texting the word “massage” to 80888. Standard text message rates apply.