The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Health Kneads Massage, 136 News Plaza, and new owner Ashley Wightman to the community.
Born and raised in Washington Court House and a 2006 graduate of Washington Court House High School, and the mother of three boys, Isaiah, Avery and Channing, Wightman spent time being a stay-at-home mom before getting back into the workforce. After holding down two jobs and balancing time with her boys, she went to Daymar College in Chillicothe to pursue certification in medical massage therapy.
In 2013, Wightman passed her state board test and got her license for medical massage therapy. She credits her boys for helping push her, “without them and God by my side, I wouldn’t have to drive to get as far as we have come together as a team.”
“In my two short years of being a licensed massage therapist I’ve had lots of different experiences working with several different types of people in the massage field. Right out of college I started my own small business called Ashley’s Traveling Massage Care. I traveled to my patients’ homes so they could receive massage care in the comfort of their own home. I also did chair massages at health fairs, horse shows, craft shows and festivals,” said Wightman. Wightman’s traveling business took her to Chillicothe, Waverly and to see patients at Chiropractic Health & Wellness offices in Washington Court House.
As of Oct. 1, Wightman was able stop traveling and set up a permanent shop as the new owner of Health Kneads Massage. The business has actually been in the community for 25 years with previous owners Nedora Wiggins and colleague Laura Cook. “These two ladies are nothing shy of awesome and have blessed my life with this amazing opportunity to take over Health Kneads,” said Wightman.
Currently Health Kneads offers basic (Swedish) massage, deep tissue therapeutic massage, prenatal massage and geriatric massage. Prices very based on service and length of session. Health Kneads is open Monday through Friday with hours varying based on appointment times. To book a session, call Ashley at (740) 334-4244.
Wightman looks forward to bringing her own unique touch to the business. “I hope with my new eyes I will bring something fresh and beneficial to the business, making my patients lifetime patients of pain relief treatment and relaxation.” In the future she hopes to obtain the supplies and training for hot stone massage, bamboo massage, lomi lomi massage and “The Graston Technique” massages.
Keep an eye out for upcoming changes with Health Kneads as Ashley grows the business. “I’m confident and more than sure that with God, my skills, education, drive, passion, heart and determination, I can keep Health Kneads in our community for another 25 to 30 years.”
