Hidden Treasure Offers Top-Notch Bodywork Experience by Samantha Bartram
A sense of comfort sets in even before you walk through the doors of the tiny yellow cottage that houses Allison Shorb's Hideaway Massage. Set deep off South King Street in Leesburg, it's a hidden oasis where a wide variety of bodywork and spa experiences await.
"It's just different with us. We're all about making you feel at home and comfortable—you can trust us," Shorb said.
"We have created an acupressure facial massage that uses ayurvedic strokes and all-natural products incorporated into the massage. So we take a regular face massage, but make it a little more cleansing and uplifting. Last spring we added something for our clients suffering from sinus problems or those with allergie—lymphatic drainage massage—and that's part of an allergy and sinus relief package that uses different essential oils, strokes around the sinus cavity and mandible, drainage and [Temporomandibular disorders] relief."
During the Hideaway Escape, clients are treated to a blend of deep-tissue and Swedish massage, where the therapist hones in on areas of particular concern to the specific individual. "We find out what your problem areas are and we focus on those while integrating the therapy into a very relaxing massage," Shorb said.
In what may come as a surprise to some, fully half of Shorb's business comes from a niche market she seems to have cornered—couple's massage. One room of Hideaway's charming suite is situated to allow two tables, side by side. The lights are dim, soothing ambient music fills the room and aromatherapy sets the tone for not one, but two people to enjoy some serious luxury.
It's become a popular indulgence for couples who come to Leesburg and rural Loudoun for wine tastings, shopping and dining. "People are making a day of it-do some shopping, have a great lunch, get a massage, and maybe hit up a winery," Shorb said.
A team of five, nationally certified therapists make up Shorb's team, and although they're certainly all about providing a fun, relaxing, energizing experience, they also are committed to doing all they can to alleviate problems like back strain, shoulder tension and other maladies. "Every one of my therapists are all really warm, friendly, down to earth, educated and skilled with a nice, broad skill set among them," Shorb said.
Obtaining national certification for all practitioners working at Hideaway Massage was both a personal priority for Shorb and a necessity for the business. The designation from the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork lets clients know everyone on Hideaway's staff has passed a rigorous exam and received, apart from their independent education in massage, hundreds of hours of continuing education. "We take it really seriously," Shorb said.
Commitment to excellence has been with Shorb from moment she decided to open her own massage studio. The daughter of two health care professionals—Shorb's father is a doctor, her mother a nurse—she knew from an early age she wanted to make a career of helping people.
"Anything in the medical area was really comfortable for me. I graduated college with a degree in psychology—I felt like I wanted to help and work with people," Shorb said. After first taking a job as a social worker for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a position Shorb called "meaningful and important to me," the young mother of two found she was unable to make ends meet. Looking to beef up her bottom line, Shorb left the MDA and took a job in sales that lasted 10 years. "It was great for money, but there was nothing emotionally rewarding about it," she said.
That's when Shorb found massage. "My friend Barbara had [been working as a massage therapist] for 20 years, and I thought this might be an interesting blend of my people skills, my knowledge of the human body and my desire to help people. I'd never run a business before in my life, but [Hideaway Massage has] just been growing, so I must be doing something right," Shorb said, laughing.
Hideaway Massage's skilled, creative and energetic staff continue to set their business apart from the rest by coming up with new ways to pamper their clients, like offering yoga classes in the spring and summer, bridal packages, sunless airbrush tanning—using an all-natural sugar to give a safe, natural glow to the skin, herbal body wraps, hot or warm stone therapy and other treats. And although Shorb's schedule is consistently full these days with both new and repeat clients, there's always room for more at Hideaway. "Come in—we spend the whole hour working with you, from selecting your own aromatherapy to giving a few minutes to relax and regroup after the massage," Shorb said.
"That's the part I most enjoy. I love that feeling at the end, seeing people leave feeling better physically and psychologically."
Hideaway Massage is located at 210 S. King St. in Leesburg with hours by appointment only.
For more information, scheduling, testimonials and more, visit www.hideawaymassage.com.
"It's just different with us. We're all about making you feel at home and comfortable—you can trust us," Shorb said.
Clients are offered an array of services, from deep-tissue and Swedish massage to Hideaway Massage originals like the acupressure facial massage or Hideaway Escape, the studio's signature experience. All massages last a full 60-90 minutes and include hot towels and aromatherapy at no additional charge. Shorb said it was important for her to differentiate the services offered at Hideaway in ways that were not typical to most spas. "We have lots of add-on indulgences to make it more fun," Shorb said.
"We have created an acupressure facial massage that uses ayurvedic strokes and all-natural products incorporated into the massage. So we take a regular face massage, but make it a little more cleansing and uplifting. Last spring we added something for our clients suffering from sinus problems or those with allergie—lymphatic drainage massage—and that's part of an allergy and sinus relief package that uses different essential oils, strokes around the sinus cavity and mandible, drainage and [Temporomandibular disorders] relief."
During the Hideaway Escape, clients are treated to a blend of deep-tissue and Swedish massage, where the therapist hones in on areas of particular concern to the specific individual. "We find out what your problem areas are and we focus on those while integrating the therapy into a very relaxing massage," Shorb said.
In what may come as a surprise to some, fully half of Shorb's business comes from a niche market she seems to have cornered—couple's massage. One room of Hideaway's charming suite is situated to allow two tables, side by side. The lights are dim, soothing ambient music fills the room and aromatherapy sets the tone for not one, but two people to enjoy some serious luxury.
It's become a popular indulgence for couples who come to Leesburg and rural Loudoun for wine tastings, shopping and dining. "People are making a day of it-do some shopping, have a great lunch, get a massage, and maybe hit up a winery," Shorb said.
A team of five, nationally certified therapists make up Shorb's team, and although they're certainly all about providing a fun, relaxing, energizing experience, they also are committed to doing all they can to alleviate problems like back strain, shoulder tension and other maladies. "Every one of my therapists are all really warm, friendly, down to earth, educated and skilled with a nice, broad skill set among them," Shorb said.
Obtaining national certification for all practitioners working at Hideaway Massage was both a personal priority for Shorb and a necessity for the business. The designation from the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork lets clients know everyone on Hideaway's staff has passed a rigorous exam and received, apart from their independent education in massage, hundreds of hours of continuing education. "We take it really seriously," Shorb said.
Commitment to excellence has been with Shorb from moment she decided to open her own massage studio. The daughter of two health care professionals—Shorb's father is a doctor, her mother a nurse—she knew from an early age she wanted to make a career of helping people.
"Anything in the medical area was really comfortable for me. I graduated college with a degree in psychology—I felt like I wanted to help and work with people," Shorb said. After first taking a job as a social worker for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a position Shorb called "meaningful and important to me," the young mother of two found she was unable to make ends meet. Looking to beef up her bottom line, Shorb left the MDA and took a job in sales that lasted 10 years. "It was great for money, but there was nothing emotionally rewarding about it," she said.
That's when Shorb found massage. "My friend Barbara had [been working as a massage therapist] for 20 years, and I thought this might be an interesting blend of my people skills, my knowledge of the human body and my desire to help people. I'd never run a business before in my life, but [Hideaway Massage has] just been growing, so I must be doing something right," Shorb said, laughing.
Hideaway Massage's skilled, creative and energetic staff continue to set their business apart from the rest by coming up with new ways to pamper their clients, like offering yoga classes in the spring and summer, bridal packages, sunless airbrush tanning—using an all-natural sugar to give a safe, natural glow to the skin, herbal body wraps, hot or warm stone therapy and other treats. And although Shorb's schedule is consistently full these days with both new and repeat clients, there's always room for more at Hideaway. "Come in—we spend the whole hour working with you, from selecting your own aromatherapy to giving a few minutes to relax and regroup after the massage," Shorb said.
"That's the part I most enjoy. I love that feeling at the end, seeing people leave feeling better physically and psychologically."
Hideaway Massage is located at 210 S. King St. in Leesburg with hours by appointment only.
For more information, scheduling, testimonials and more, visit www.hideawaymassage.com.
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