Back and Bodyworks Massage Spa

October 31, 2024

Celebrating 25 years! A Northland Favorite for Many Reasons…

There are numerous therapeutic massage spas in the Kansas City area, but Back and Bodyworks in the Northland offers its clientele a distinctive level of expertise with such impressive longevity. The owner, Sharon Schneider, is a registered nurse who spent the earlier part of her career working on inpatient medical/surgical units at area hospitals.

Sharon Schneider – Owner

“I’ve seen my share of injuries, disease, chronic illnesses and people in pain,” shared Schneider. “That experience has given me a valuable perspective in understanding the massage therapy needs of our Back and Bodyworks clients.”

Schneider’s hospital experience and training as a wellness coach motivated her to open Back and Bodyworks in 1999 – one of only a handful of therapeutic massage groups in the area with a medical background.

“I saw a big need to help people be more proactive with their health and wellness, through Complimentary Alternative (holistic) Medicine, with the hopes of minimizing the amount of medical intervention needed and maximizing their outcomes,” she said. “Clients have said my nursing background and wellness coach certification are great assets in their care, especially for those who could be injured further if the wrong type of massage is done. There’s an inherent trust that they can come to us with real issues to resolve because they know we have a special understanding of the underlying conditions and structures causing the pain.”

Warm and Welcoming for All

Schneider describes the atmosphere at Back and Bodyworks as “super down to earth” and as a spa that “helps you feel welcomed and comfortable in your own skin.”

“I tell clients they don’t have to feel pressured to look their best when they come to us,” Schneider said. “Forget the full makeup and hair…we’re going to be working on you, after all. Just be comfortable so you can relax. It’s very liberating!”

While many spas offer only 60 or 90-minute services, Back and Bodyworks also has 30-minute options to accommodate busy schedules. They also offer facial massages which Schneider said are “marvelously relaxing.”

“You’d be surprised at how much stress we hold in our face,” she noted. “When your jaw, forehead, and facial muscles tense up, it can lead to headaches and neck pain.”

A Caring Team of Certified Experts

Schneider’s staff of massage therapists are all licensed, and the whole team is committed to attending regular Continuing Education programs to maintain their expertise and train in new massage modalities.

“I tell clients when they ask who to see and which massage to get, the massage therapists are all equally talented and will customize their session for their specific needs.” she noted.

That said, Schneider explained that her receptionist is very knowledgeable and when someone calls for an appointment, she asks several questions to determine which therapist they should see and which type of massage they should receive.

“We’ll ask what’s been going on, where is the pain, and especially ask about their lifestyle,” she said. “We offer four primary types of massage, (Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, and Prenatal) plus several wonderful massage enhancers. Once we get a feel for their issues, it’s easy to match people with the right therapist and the optimal modality.”

Beneficial at Any Age, Every Lifestyle

The clientele at Back and Bodyworks is varied, both in age, background, and gender,” said Schneider.

“We’ve provided massage therapy for kids as young as 9 and adults in their 90s, and about 40 percent of our clientele is male,” she said, adding, “no one is immune from aches and pains!”

“Many of our clients provide some type of service,” Schneider explained, “such as first responders, healthcare workers, educators, or lawyers, all who are typically on their feet a lot.” In addition, caregivers of children, the elderly, and special needs people under a lot of stress, or those involved in work involving repetitive motion. It doesn’t take long to get your muscles ‘kinked up’ under such daily conditions.”

Another big source of clientele comes from those who engage in sports of all kinds.

“We see many school athletes as well as folks who are into running and doing triathlons, people just getting back into the gym and all the weekend warriors,” she said. “Staying fit is terrific for your health, but it’s easy to overdo it, especially if it has been a while. That’s where we come in. For first-time clients, getting a massage can seem intimidating. However, the services offered at Back and Bodyworks are designed to accommodate everyone’s needs and concerns. Clients are always appropriately covered with a sheet and light blanket, discreetly folded back only where the work is being done. And for those who prefer sitting or can’t lie down, Back and Bodyworks also offers chair massage, “an excellent way to unwind over your lunchtime, even if it’s just 30 minutes.”

Schneider added, “While many people still view massage as a relaxation luxury, the reality is too many people are walking around with tight muscles, neck, back and joint pain and they’re just enduring it. It doesn’t have to be that way. Massage therapy is true self-care and also good medicine…especially when it’s done by experts like the staff at Back and Bodyworks.”

A Unique & Valuable Medical Perspective

As a former nurse, Schneider has helped train her staff to recognize critical symptoms and can help educate clients on what’s going on inside that’s causing the discomfort.

“We can point out adhesions from scar tissue for example, or sources of inflammation that can be causing pain. We can also give clients guidance on how to be proactive with their movements and exercise once they go home. It really helps make the most of what we do in our appointments.”

Schneider said one of the most common questions they are asked is, “How often should I come?”

“We have folks who come every other week…but every 4 to 6 weeks is more typical. We will create a treatment plan for specific pain and suggest someone comes in more often at first and then taper off. And we make sure to consider everyone’s budget. Many of our clients use their Health Savings Accounts to pay for our services.”

“When people book an appointment time, the massage runs the full allotment of time, even if we spend a few minutes consulting, she promised. “We add time buffers in between clients to make sure that happens. It’s a weight off the client’s shoulders to know that…we do it because it’s the right thing to do. It’s something I’ve always been adamant about.”

Coming Soon: More Therapists, Bigger Space / Schneider has exciting plans for the future, all to benefit her clients

“In the coming year, we will be expanding into the space next door, and we’ll be adding additional therapists to our team. So, if you or someone you know might be interested in working here, definitely call me!”

It’s obvious Schneider and her team love what they do, and it shows in everything they do for clients.

“When someone can come to us in pain (even emotional pain),” she shared, “to see them that way and then see them when they leave refreshed and relaxed at the end of a session…it’s an amazing feeling to know we had a hand in making that happen.”