James Jeffko is the type of man who enjoys working with his hands.
He used to make a living holding a paintbrush but now he uses his fingers, palms and even his elbows at times, to give massages.
Sequim Massage Therapy & Wellness opened Oct. 15. A grand opening ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Finding a happy medium between a clinical setting and a vacation spa, Jeffko – a 2005 Port Townsend School of Massage graduate – offers therapeutic massage for people with chronic pain, wellness massages for general body maintenance and relaxation massages for people who just want to forget the worries of the world.
"This is a long-awaited transition," said Jeffko, who has owned and operated a painting contractor business since 1994. "I showed up for class the first day and loved it. I never looked back."
Though he will continue to oversee the painting business, eventually, Jeffko said, he hopes to transition to massage therapy completely.
Painting and massage are very different lines of work but Jeffko approaches the two businesses similarly, keeping his sights set on customer satisfaction rather than dollar signs. "I like knowing a person is satisfied with what they are receiving – going above and beyond and focusing on the positives," he emphasized. "Yes, I want to get paid and earn a living but even more than that I want to connect with others and promote healing."
With more than 650 hours of training under his belt, Jeffko applies three key points toward clients: competence, compassion and confidentiality. At school he learned the skills, hence competence. The ingrained desire to help people feel the best they can equals compassion. And the promise that if he sees a client in a public setting not to discuss his or her medical condition, or anything else said in the office, is the confidentiality part.
"People get on that table and share things their closest friends don’t even know," Jeffko said.
Good intention is a big part of the foundation at Sequim Massage.
"Intention, as a therapist, is really what makes the difference between somebody who is trained and knows how to move soft tissue and somebody who is putting the mental energy into facilitating healing," Jeffko said. "My main goal is to be that person who, as a therapist, can facilitate a client’s healing, promoting the person’s body and mind to self heal."
To better serve the community, Jeffko is taking his equipment and training on the road. Tuesdays, he packs up his table and chair and heads over to the Sequim Senior Activity Center where he gives massages by appointment. Senior center members receive a 15-percent discount.
Walk-in Wednesdays, at the office, allow clients to receive massages without an appointment.
"I want to offer a place where anybody in the community can plan to come for a quality massage," Jeffko said.
Box: The healing power of human touch
Sequim Massage Therapy & Wellness is open by appointment at 1001 E. Washington St., Suite 3. Owner James Jeffko, licensed massage practitioner, is offering "walk-in Wednesday" chair massages from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. New clients receive the first 10 minutes free with no obligation to purchase more time. Cindy Kelly, licensed massage practitioner, and Glory Ingalls, certified nursing assistant, will assist Jeffko, specializing in relaxation massage and foot detoxification. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 670-3261.
