Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Walters.
Hi Chase, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first experienced massage at five years old when my godmother massaged my hand, demonstrating techniques she learned at the Virginia School of Massage. I was so stoked when she finished and my affinity for massage stayed with me. As I grew older, I worked as a carpenter, but when the real estate bubble popped in 2008, there was less demand for newly constructed homes which is what I worked on. I saw a commercial on TV talking about the Virginia School of Massage, so I filled out an application and enrolled. After my first massage experience with my godmother, I practiced casual massage on family members who praised my work, but I never took it to heart since they were family. When I worked the clinic at the Virginia School of Massage, I realized that not everyone had the ability to feel trigger points or other needs in their client’s body and that I did in fact have a proclivity for massage. I graduated from massage school in 2010, after which I opened Relief by Chase in Fredericksburg and also practiced in Charlottesville at Cityspa Day Spa. In 2014, I had back surgery, and unable to continue working during this time, was forced to close Relief by Chase. Once I recovered, I worked full time at Cityspa where I met my wife and future business partner in 2019. Like many, we were out of work in 2020 due to the pandemic. Through a series of events, we opened Relief by Chase in Charlottesville in March 2022 and then moved to our Berkmar Studio in August 2024 where we are today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Massage therapy has high and low seasons where the low seasons sometimes last longer than desired. Being more of a therapeutic massage therapist, my style does not meet everyone’s expectations, especially those seeking pampering massages, so connecting with the right clientele has also been a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Massage Therapist and primarily specialize in injury rehabilitation, trigger point therapy, and sports massage.
Techniques that set me apart are fascial blading, my own cupping style, reflexology, and myofascial massage techniques.
I am most proud of being able to help bring relief to people with physical limitations which restrict their movement and quality of life.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5-10 years I hope that massage therapy will continue moving into the medical field and integrate more in depth with physical therapists and chiropractors as practices that compliment one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reliefbychase.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reliefbychase/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReliefByChase/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reliefbychase
