About Essie

Essie Hicks is a Licensed Massage Therapist, certified in several different healing modalities including Craniosacral Therapy; LymphaticDrainage; Aromapoint Therapy ® ; Pregnancy massage; traditional Deep Swedish massage; Sports Massage; Hydrotherapy; Zen Triggerpoint Anatomy ® and ZenBodytherapy ® also known as a Structural Integration technique. Essie is a proud member of the American Massage Therapy Association and the International Association of Structural Integrators. She has been a massage practitioner since 1999, and a teacher of massage therapy since 2000. Currently she teaches continuing education in Injury Treatment Therapies and Prenatal Massage at Bodymechanics School of Massage and the Port Townsend School of Massage, and is a Nationally Certified Instructor. She lives in Tumwater WA with the youngest 3 teenagers of her 5 sons, husband, Stormy the labrador, and Nibbler the kitty. She enjoys gardening, growing fruit trees, spinning yarn, painting, hiking and photography. You may see some of her work for sale on her walls in the massage studio.

 History | Education | Experience

Essie began training in massage therapy in 1992 in Yreka, California as an apprentice after high school.  She studied under master bodyworkers, and herbologists with the Mount Shasta Herbal Company. She studied energy work, sports massage, and traditional Deep Swedish Massage. Under the supervision of master herbologists, she learned how to blend high quality body products. She completed her massage training at the Alexandar School of Natural Therapeutics in 1999 and went directly into an internship as a teacher's aide. During this time she achieved a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and began study in Zen Philosophy and Akido. Essie taught Spa modalities, Aromatherapy, medical massage, and continuing education courses with the Alexandar School until 2007.

Essie started Absolute Relaxation Therapeutic Massage in the South Sound area of Yelm and Olympia in 1999. Her first patients were professional rodeo athletes, Elders of the Nisqually Tribe and military personel. She is experienced with geriatric massage, PTSD, and traumatic injuries to the back and neck. Essie also provided consulting services to small massage practices, day spas and destination spas.

 After turning her practice over to an associate in 2007, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in social science and a master’s degree in public administration. She is a graduate with honors from South Puget Sound Community College, Washington State University and Seattle University.

After she and her husband relocated to the shores of Lake Washington, Essie continued to consult with local spas, and completed her first training in Craniosacral therapy at Bastyr University. She was on the executive leadership opening team and Spa Director at the Lodge at St. Edward in Kenmore, WA.

Philosophy and Approach to Healing Arts

With over 30 years of experience in the practice of healing arts, Essie brings unique and effective treatment modalities to treat the individual needs of her patients. She is constantly learning in order to bring the most effective treatments to her studio. Currently she is training in advanced techniques for Lymph Drainage, 200 hr Yoga Teacher Certification, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Forest Therapy. 

Her philosophy on bodywork is that healing touch should be restorative, pain reliving and calming.  Patients should feel pain relief and freer movement after a session with her.

Location and Service Offers

Essie is thrilled to be back home in beautiful Yelm, WA where she started her practice in 1999. Her studio is located within Northwest Advanced Spinal Care at 503 1st Street where she takes clients and continues to provide consulting services to spas, and massage clinics. She is currently accepting PIP insurance claims, cash payments and medical reimbursements. Essie offers a 10% cash discount for Military (active and Veterans), First Responders and Seniors over the age of 60. Kindly show your employment badge or ID at your first appointment for verification. 

*All writing and treatment descriptions are created without the use of generative AI. Thank you for supporting human creativity and a small-town, woman owned business.