Put Your Well Being in Good Hands

by Liv Stecker

Debbie Potter came to Stevens County five years ago in search of a slower pace and a connection to the natural world. Growing up on the west side of the state, as an adult she lived in the foothills of Mt. Rainer, where even her off-the-grid existence on the mountain became gradually inundated with tourism and traffic. Looking for a change, someone recommended the Kettle Falls area to her, and after a visit she was hooked. Five years ago she made the cross-state move and settled outside of Colville, bringing several years of experience as a massage therapist with her. 

Debbie became a certified massage therapist in 2001 after studying at the Alexandar School of Natural Therapeutics. She has received extensive training in swedish massage, zen therapy, aromatherapy, and hot stone massage in addition to many other skills and practices. After relocating to the Colville area, Debbie offered chair massages at the Colville Farmer’s Market, which was a chance for her to merge her love of agriculture and growing things and her practice as a massage therapist. 

For three years, Debbie practiced massage at Pro Body Works, before stepping out to start her own studio, Wild Flower Massage, located at 525 South Main in Colville. Debbie’s philosophy of massage is written outside her studio in a simple message: reduce pain, relieve stress, live better. This mantra is right in line with how Debbie runs her business, making herself available and flexible to the needs of her clients by offering chair massages on location for offices and places of business. Several local establishments have utilized Debbie’s skill for staff meetings, office parties, and routine breaks from the daily grind for a few minutes of relaxation and stress relief. Debbie also offers full body massage and spa treatments from her studio, along with a complimentary foot soak for arriving clients as a way to relax before a massage. 

Entering into 2016, Debbie says, “The new year is a good time for better health resolutions.” and she is committed to helping clients reach their goals. Her practice is individualized to the need of each person, using a variety of techniques to accomplish her mission. The key to this is good communication with clients as they begin the process. She says that sometimes treatments that begin as stress relief turn into injury therapy, and vise-versa. From deep tissue massage to pain-relieving hot stone therapy, Debbie has many tools in her kit to help meet the needs of her clients. Her treatments can help improve circulation, aid in surgical recovery, decrease anxiety and depression, increase energy and help provide better sleep. 

In addition to monthly specials featured on her website, Wild Flower Massage always offers new customers $10 off their first treatment. Rescheduling for your next appointment before you leave earns repeat visitors another $10 off, and for regular monthly customers, Debbie features a VIP Birthday bonus of a complementary treatment during the month of your birthday. Gift certificates are always available and are perfect for birthdays, Mother’s or Father’s day, and Valentine’s Day coming up soon! In January, Debbie is offering a ½ price facial massage as an add on to a regular massage. That’s an additional hour of relaxation, focusing on the face, an area many people wear stress, for $37.50. 

Debbie’s studio on south main street is tucked between the Clark’s All Sports shopping center and Colville Auto, in unit #6 of a quaint old hotel building. The treatment room is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle outside, warm and inviting, decorated with colorful touches that speak to Debbie’s love of nature. 

For Debbie, the best part of treating her friends and neighbors as a massage therapist is that everybody is happy to see her. Unlike the drudgery of some other appointments, people are excited to see Debbie. “It feels good to see people who may come in stressed out and then see the change in them when they leave.” she says. “I’d like to think I made their day a little brighter and their spirits uplifted.” This is a reflection of the Native American Proverb that inspires Debbie, “May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.” 

More information about Wild Flower Massage can be found on Debbie’s website, as well as monthly specials: www.wildflowermassage.net . She can also be reached by phone at 509-680-5330 or email: debbie@wildflowermassage.net. Don’t wait to start the new year with some relaxation and therapeutic help from Debbie’s very capable hands.