According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, massage may boost longevity. People that experienced a single deep-tissue massage showed an average point drop in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as well as an 11 beats-per-minute decrease in their resting heart rates. “Over time, these subtractions could add as many as six years to a person’s life span,” says study author Alan Kaye, M.D., Ph.D. “The benefits of massage actually last for days, and the more you experience them, the more likely your body is to adjust permanently.”

At Massage Envy of Southwest Florida, massage therapy is considered an integral part of taking care of the human body. “The founders of the Massage Envy franchise concept, John Leonesio and Shawn Haycock, felt that it should be considered as important as diet and exercise. In 2002, because they wanted everyone to enjoy its many health benefits, they made it their mission to provide a pathway to wellness through professional, convenient and affordable massage therapy and spa services,” says John Preston, chief operating officer for four locally owned franchises in Naples, Estero, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Massage Envy currently has 865 franchise locations throughout the United States. Guests can sample services at a discounted rate of $49 for a one-hour massage or $59 for a facial. If desired, they can join the Wellness Program for $59 per month, which includes a one-hour massage each month, additional massages for just $39 and any of Massage Envy’s four signature facials, which incorporate Murad skincare products, for $49. “If you miss a month, the credit rolls over to the next month, and if you are traveling in the U.S., you can use the membership at any Massage Envy location,” Preston advises. “Our members love the Wellness Program. We have members that have been with us since we first opened in Naples more than seven years ago.”

Locations: Naples - 6435 Naples Blvd., Ste. A3-4; 239-325-3689. Estero - 8001 Plaza Del Lago Dr.; 239-947-3689. Fort Myers - 15880 Summerlin Rd.; 239-333-3689. Cape Coral - 2221 Santa Barbara Blvd.; 239-549-3689. For more information, visit MassageEnvy.com.