Susan Karnes

  • VA License #: 0019007870
  • 113
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If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won't have to hear it scream.

As a medical massage therapist, the treatment I provide is evidence-based therapeutic massage and bodywork.  I use a blend of all the modalities that I have learned over the past 2 decades to tailor a unique treatment for you. I am most passionate about helping my patients with pain management solutions.  I am empathetic to all brain injury and vertigo cases. Craniosacral therapy helped me tremendously as a TBI survivor. I love to pass on information about healing the body after a head trauma...

As a medical massage therapist, the treatment I provide is evidence-based therapeutic massage and bodywork.  I use a blend of all the modalities that I have learned over the past 2 decades to tailor a unique treatment for you. I am most passionate about helping my patients with pain management solutions.  I am empathetic to all brain injury and vertigo cases. Craniosacral therapy helped me tremendously as a TBI survivor. I love to pass on information about healing the body after a head trauma. I am proficient in myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular massage, osteopathic manipulation, orthopedic massage, prenatal massage, foot reflexology, and medicupping vacuum therapy.

 

I have been practicing ACE VacuTherapy and MediCupping Bodywork for several years. This unique brand of bodywork uses suction to lift tissue as I massage with the cups. I can influence tissue at a much deeper level using all the massage techniques I can do with my hands. This treatment can be used to move stagnation, relieve inflammation, drain fluids, break down scar tissue, lift and stretch muscle, fascia, and connective attachments, separate fused layers (IT Band), release, soften, and reduce the appearance of scars, open body drainage systems to aid in decongesting "solid bloat," and increase hydration of tissues. This is a modality that one must experience to understand the impact. Most recently, I have completed certifications at ACE Vacutherapies Mastectomy and Breast Health Institute. I am excited to bring this therapy to both men and women for breast wellness and pain relief from cancer and reconstructive surgeries. 

 

I provide holistic remedies to aid your body in its innate ability to heal. The remedies I choose to provide have been dictated by Edgar Cayce in his readings and have been studied through the lens of modern-day medicine for both safety and efficacy at the Research and Enlightenment Center. 

 

I also enjoy educating about living a healthy lifestyle and guiding people to resources that will meet them where they are on their health and wellness journey. I believe being conscious about what we put in, on and around our body directly influences our health. I am happy to share products in all aspects of daily living to help reduce body burden in your household for you and your family's health.

Book a Bodywork, Coaching, or Wellness service with me today

Where I Work
Available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Massage Studio at Acorn Hill
93

2134 Old Forest Rd

Lynchburg, VA 24501

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Available Monday, Wednesday

Massage Therapy at Westminster Canterbury
20

501 VES Rd

Lynchburg, VA 24503

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Licenses
Massage

VA # 0019007870

Education
2006

Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy

700 hours

2010

Lynchburg College

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology

Experience
Bodywork

Medical Massage Practitioner

Completed and passed all examinations for post-graduate medical massage training that is equivalent to 30 CEUs in 2019 with Dr. Bryan Hawley DC, NCBTMB approved

Orthopedic Medical Massage for the neck

8 hour in person NCBTMB approved CEU class in 2021

Evidence Based Myofascial and Craniolsacral Therapy Interventions

NCBTMB approved 4 CEU contact hours post-graduate training in 2015

Myofascial Release Clinical Applications- upper body

NCBTMB approved 5 CEU contact hours post-graduate training in 2015

Myofascial Release Clinical Applications- lower body

NCBTMB approved 4 CEU contact hours post-graduate training in 2015

Medicupping Therapy

22 hour in person NCBTMB approved CEU class in 2021

Ace VacuTherapy Level 2 and MediCupping Therapy

28 hours of in person training with the founder. NCBTMB approved classes in 2023

Yoga

Medical Therapeutic Yoga

Foundations for using yoga in integrative & preventative medicine. NCBTMB approved 7 contact hours CEU post-graduate training

Fitness

Collegiate Athletic Training student

I was an athletic training student in undergrad for 3 years before switching my major to exercise physiology. This experience has served me well throughout my years as a massage therapist. Although I didn't complete the program I was taught taping, stretching, treatments in the athletic training room, hydrotherapy, brought athletes through exercise programs to recover and prevent injury. LC's AT program is where I really learned the most about kinesiology and grasped the understanding of how the body moves in motion. I have experience with athletes before, during and after games and practices. I worked with Lynchburg College's men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer and field hockey. I also worked at Randolph Macon College with their men's soccer team. And high school level with the football.

Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiology Internship

I worked with patients in all 4 phases of cardiac rehab at Stroobrant Heart Clinic at Centra and at the Bedford YMCA. At the YMCA, I also worked with children in the healthy U program who were struggling with childhood obesity.

Physical Therapy

PT Tech

I worked as PT tech bringing patients through treatment that the PT created. I did ultra sound, electrical stimulation and taught patients how to do their exercises properly. Since I was in massage school and also completed massage school while working here, I was able to assist the PT in her myofascial release and cranioscacral therapies. I also did one of my exercise physiology internships in a physical therapy office. I had my own cases that I was able to to take, with supervision by the PT from start to finish, to do my own case studies.

REVIEWS for my Bodywork, Coaching, or Wellness services

by Kitty on Jan 08
Try it, wonderful
by Brandy on Dec 20
Susan has an amazing personality and ability. That combo is hard to find. Her knowledge of her skill is amazing.
by Leah on Dec 03
Susan listens to your request whether it’s relaxation or relieving stress. She has a magic touch.
by MaryAnn on Nov 26
The release of tight muscles allows me to relax and sleep better and longer.
by Seth on Oct 31
Susan is an absolute master at her craft.
by Susan on Oct 16
Very helpful information and advice as well as massagel
by Marjorie on Oct 04
Susan took the time to ask me about my health and the physical problems that I hoped the massage would address (post-surgical pain and stiffness). The massage itself made me feel 10 times better—relaxed and almost pain free in a way I had not felt for many months. I can’t thank her enough.
by Anonymous on Sep 25
She is a good listener and responds to individual concerns.
by Mat on Sep 12
Exceptional experience, highly recommended!!
by Cheryl on Aug 30
Susan has always gone above and beyond to listen to the client and give them the best possible experience and outcome. I've been going to her for many many years!

SPECIALTIES: Bodywork and Massage techniques I perform

Bodywork & Massage

  • Ace Medicupping and Vacutherapies
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Mobile Therapeutic Medical Massage
  • VacuTherapy
  • geriatric
  • Therapeutic Medical Massage
  • Medical Massage Practitioner

Coaching

  • Couples

Wellness

  • Cayce Remedy Pack

Reflexology

  • Foot reflexology

Skincare

  • facial

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