Isabel massages the Carnival aches away

“IMAGINE chipping whole day with 200 pounds!” The aftermath, massage therapist Isabel Jackson said, will undoubtedly be sore feet, overworked muscles and recurring injuries. “How about when the DJ (or entertainer) says ‘han in de air, han in de air,’ that is pain in your arm for days. Not only that, you get hairline tears. It’s almost microscopic and when that heals it forms scar tissue. You injure it again and you get a scar on top of a scar,” Isabel said in an interview with People.

The certified massage therapist is qualified in Swedish, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic, Trigger point and Reflexology massages as well as Reflexology. She advises, following a Carnival jump up, to “look for a massage therapist rather than taking pain killers or leaving the injury alone thinking you’ll feel better. Everybody masks everything with pain killers. So instead of masking pain, massage therapy is an option, it is vitally important for proper body functioning and for life. “Carnival is the number one injury time. Many masqueraders are not trained, not fit and they go out there and do more damage than good.”

She recommends deep tissue massages also called sports massages, which target specific injuries. Isabel is not purporting to take the place of a medic or substitute for such. She said, “We are a support mechanism for the medical fraternity. We work along with medics. We don’t prescribe or diagnose. Massage is not a cure but a guarantee that you’ll feel better than when you came into the massage therapist.” It has been Isabel’s experience of having an increased clientele post-Carnival. The main areas of complaint, she said, were the feet and lower back. The latter is largely the complaint of many of her clients outside of the Carnival period. “I think Trinidad is back injury prone. Ninety-five percent of the men involved in construction have back issues. Women have a lot of issues related to wearing heels, and you find that a lot of us cause our own injuries.”

On entering her massage parlour, booth number two at East Side Plaza on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, clients are greeted with an animated and lighthearted personality that is Isabel’s, added to that, an invigorating fragrance in an inviting atmosphere. The walls are painted in mint green and soothing music is provided. She was trained at Gopaul’s Massage Institute in Marabella and continued her training through distance learning with James Mally, doctor of natural science in the USA. Her father was influential in choosing this profession. “It was a family thing. From what I remember, my father would always say ‘come and give me a massage.’” Isabel’s sister, Sharmaine St Bernard — CAC Games female heavyweight bodybuilding champion, is also a massage therapist.

Isabel has been practising her trade for ten years and describes herself as “an artist. I perform art in any form and in every form.” She is also quite talented in fabric designing and has nurtured an interest in plant cultivation. At her home in Santa Cruz, she has an orchard and greenhouse and cultivates a garden of herbs and plants with “nutritional values.” Massages at the parlour are done by appointment, but very soon Isabel will introduce a “walk-in day” where persons can be attended free of charge. She explained, “If you have no money, fine, if you want to leave a contribution, fine. More than anything else, I want to give back because God has blessed me with a talent.” Anyone wishing to reach Isabel can contact 627-4750.