Center Brings Australian Massage to Commack

A client of Andrew Kressel, owner of U Kneada Massage on Commack Road, came into the center for two sessions and walked out a changed man; so changed that the next day the man's boss called Kressel to say that for the first time in 11 years she saw this employee smile.

"It provides dramatic changes for some after one session, but the clients who have the time to devote to multiple sessions see the lasting and complete relief," Kressel said.

Kressel first opened his business – at 58 Commack Road – one year ago in a circa-1947 model home that had once housed a Jewish synagogue and a real estate office. The center took about one month to renovate, Kressel said.

Kressel had been running a home-based massage practice when he went to a Bowenwork class – his first introduction to the Australian massage therapy.

"I saw that Bowenwork was gentle on the client and practitioner, and so I could keep working as a Bowenwork massage therapist as I got older," he said.

Kressel said that massage therapists specializing in relaxation massage often suffer damage to their own shoulders, wrists and arms as a result of their work.

Bowenwork came to the United States in 1989, specifically to the West Coast. It involves "gentle moves on skin without oil to stimulate the body to relax, reset and heal. It helps you heal physically, mentally and energetically. It is comfortable and suitable for all ages. There is no need to remove your clothes," according to Kressel and his website.

"Clients turn to Bowenwork after they haven't obtained relief from other therapies," Kressel said.

Bowenwork heals many ailments, from tennis elbow, to migraines to colic in children. Kressel has practiced the therapy on people from infants to 94-year-olds.

It is also helpful for "athletes willing to make the commitment to getting their body to be better to improve their quality of life," Kressel said.

But Kressel still offers Swedish massage at the center. Tai Chi and Yoga classes will also begin at the center in the fall. Kressel also teaches couple massage and Bowenwork for massage therapists and people interested in learning about it. Massage sessions cost between $75 and $105 per session, depending on the package purchased. Gift certificates are also available.

The Bowenwork sessions begin in August and cost $425 for the first of six classes. Additionally pricing can be found on Kressel's website.

Have a U Kneada Massage experience you want to share? Comment and leave it below.