Jay Terry is a licensed massage therapist, personal trainer and co-owner of the Center for Natural Health. He describes himself as a bodywork therapist.
WHAT SERVICES DOES THE CENTER PROVIDE?
Acupuncture, massage therapy, stress management and Chinese herbs. “Our center is based on a Eurasian model. Europe and Asia use preventive forms of medicine. I specialize in Thai massage. To Westerners, it’s a form of yogic massage that is low impact. I start patients on the table and they end up on the floor on a mat. Yogic massage is assisted postures, incorporating stretches with acupuncture and traditional medicine.”
WHAT CONDITIONS DOES HE TREAT?
Since the center opened seven years ago, they have treated arthritis, back and neck injuries, depression, anxiety, insomnia, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, infertility, digestive disorders, sinus pain and allergies, repetitive injuries and accidents and joint pain.
WHAT IS A BODYWORK THERAPIST?
“Bodywork therapy is a term coined by guys like me that incorporate physical therapy with massage and a number of modalities. When people think of massage therapists, they think of spas providing stress relief. While we do that as well, it is a small percentage. Many of our clients, probably 75-80 percent, are here for chronic or acute problems.”
IS A COMBINATION APPROACH MORE EFFECTIVE?
“It depends on what the client is looking for. Our center is dedicated to natural alternatives. Most of our clients have had therapy before and are proactive, so they know what they’re getting. They’re open to new approaches. Some massage is used to stimulate acupuncture meridian points. All of this is only as good as the person is willing to accept it and make some lifestyle changes. None of this is a panacea. We’re not trying to replace mainstream medicine.”
CLIENTS?
“We cater to a demographic that is open-minded to our services and can afford our services. Insurance companies now are focusing more on the preventive, making it more affordable.”
HOW MANY CLIENTS DOES HE SEE DAILY?
“On average, I can handle five to six clients.”
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Co-owner Beth Hopkins specializes in acupuncture to remedy female problems such as PMS or infertility. Cindy Richmond, a licensed massage therapist, focuses on biofeedback and kinesiology, a neuro-cognitive retraining of the body. Her emphasis is on orthopedic cases, physical rehabilitation and sports-related injuries.
ANY LOCAL COMPETITION?
“In Seattle, there’s one of these on every corner. It’s still fairly new to the Southeast, but they’re beginning to embrace these therapies. When we opened this place there were maybe two or three places like this in Jacksonville. Now, there’s dozens of them.”
HOMETOWN
Although his family is from Tampa, Terry was raised in Jacksonville and considers it home.
CLUB HOPPING
Terry is a member of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association and the American Massage Therapy Association.
RESIDENCE
The W.A. Knight Building lofts.
HOBBIES
Sports, and weightlifting in particular, are Terry’s preferred leisure activities. He also enjoys gardening, playing the guitar and sampling Thai food. His favorite movie? “Chinatown.”
HIS NAME IN LIGHTS
At 17, Terry packed his bags, seeking fame in New York City. After working as an actor for a few years in bad commercials and even worse movies, he had earned enough to pay for his schooling.
WHERE DID HE GO
TO SCHOOL?
The Swedish Institute in New York City is where Terry learned the basics. He sharpened his skills at the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy.
WHY RETURN TO FLORIDA?
“I realized I was not going to be the next Tom Cruise. I was working as a carpenter, building sets. I always liked working with my hands. That’s why I decided this was something I wanted to do — and to have my own business. I moved back here because of the potential. It helps to be near downtown and in a trendy neighborhood.”
WHAT’S BETTER ABOUT HIS SECOND CAREER?
“Helping people help themselves. I receive a great deal of joy by helping people feel better about themselves. Second, is exchanging ideas about health and well-being.”
WHERE ELSE HAS
HE PRACTICED?
“We worked at a place in Riverside that is now defunct, the Mind/Body Institute. They were pioneers in offering therapies like we do. Straight out of school we started this business and it took off from there.”
WHAT CHALLENGES
DOES HE FACE?
“Educating the public. And that’s not even a challenge, it’s a perk.”
— by Monica Chamness