Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect Bender's previous experience as a sports therapist, not a physical therapist as previously stated.
After spending the better part of the year getting acclimated to having her own space, Danielle Bender of Return2Health Massage Therapy is ready to celebrate its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house in October.
As the space is Bender’s first “proper” storefront — that is, the first location she’s been able to call her very own, complete with its own sign — she jumped on the chance to make the space ‘hers.’ Bender has created an airy, inviting space lined with potted plants, a fountain and plenty of elephants — her favorite animal.
Bender then leads clients to her massage room, a small, cozy space with a massage table and a closet where clients can place their things. This is where the majority of a session with Bender will typically be spent, with the lights off and nature sounds such as ocean waves turned on for ambience.
Bender doesn’t idly chatter, letting clients set their own conversational pace based around what’s most comfortable to them.
Bender offers both relaxation and therapeutic massages ranging from 45-minute to two-hour sessions.
Bender noted that she offers prenatal massages as well, which she said many massage therapists are “scared” to offer.
In addition, she offers hot stone massage, cupping — which some readers may be familiar with due to its usage by swimmers such as Michael Phelps during the 2016 Summer Olympics — and gua sha, also known as scraping therapy.
After an aversion to needles led to Bender being unable to complete nursing school, a lifelong love of sports led her to pursue an education in exercise and sport science, instead.
While working as a sports therapist, Bender found that there came a point in therapy where clients’ muscles wouldn’t respond properly because they were sore or tight, so she looked into massage.
She graduated from a local massage therapy school in 2023. Return2Health opened its doors late last year.
“When I came up with the name Return2Health, it was me and my husband’s idea to gather what the main goal of this business would be,” said Bender. “Obviously it’s to help people be as healthy as they can be.”
Part of that help for Bender is building a rapport with her clients, making sure that they’re heard and adjusting the care she provides based upon their needs.
“Massage is for self-care,” said Bender. “It’s not just for relaxation, and that kind of thing. I think with the name Return2Health, you’re trying to return to your healthiest being.”
Return2Health Massage Therapy is located at 205 Callon St., the former home of the River District Antique Mall, in the same building as the Story Cellar. Its open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held from 3–6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2.
For more information on Return2Health Massage Therapy, visit https://www.return2healthmassage.com or check out Return2Health Massage Therapy LLC on Facebook.
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