Our Therapists

Bodywork Connections was founded on the principles of ‘connecting’ the most appropriate bodywork with the needs of the client. Providing preventative, restorative and therapeutic massage for specific muscular requirements and comprehensive health care.

Sara started her massage career in 1983 while working at a spa in Calistoga, California. Her affinity to sports ignited her interest in Sports Massage and her attendance to Sports Massage Training Institute in Encinitas, CA in 1987. This was the catalyst to furthering and expanding her massage education. She continues to be active in learning and practicing massage.

Sara moved her Bodywork Connections practice from California to Holly Springs, North Carolina in 2001.  She opened her doors October 1, 2001 and Holly Springs and the surrounding areas have been very open and receptive to Massage Therapy.  Bodywork Connections currently has 5 Massage Therapists from which to choose.

Click here to contact Sara.

• Sara has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Technology.
• She is a 1989 graduate of the National Holistic Institute (NHI) of Massage Therapy and Health Education Emeryville, CA (500 hours)
• an active 22 year member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
• She is Nationally Certified
• licensed in the state of North Carolina (NCLMBT#02353)
• Sports Massage from Sports Massage Training Institute, Encinitas, CA. (100 hours)
• Equine and Canine Sports Massage from Equissage™, Round Hill, VA. (100 hours)
• BEAM; Bio-Electric Assessment Method. Dr. Douglas Mosher, Doctor of Chiropractic.(100 hours)
• Massage Emergency Response Team (MERT) (12 hours)
• Repetitive Use Injury Therapy (RUIT)™, Evergreen CO (24 hours)
• Western Institute of Neuromuscular Therapy (WIN) Laguna Hills, CA (24 hours)
• A member of the Athens Health Services Sports Massage Team 2004, Summer Olympics 2004 in Athens, Greece. Assigned to the Olympic Village, working on International Athletes and dignitaries encompassing all sports venues.
• Kinesio Taping: Specially designed tape applied in a specific technique to accomplish the intended goal; whether that be, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, positional corrections, or lymphatic changes. Kinesio tape is very effective and based on the idea of Muscle Movement (kinesio) will promote proprioceptive impulse to healing & flexibility. www.KinesioTaping.com : (28 hours)
• 10 Years in Holly Springs, North Carolina 

Donna Gerstner has been a licensed massage therapist since 2003. She attended the Massage Therapy program at the Medical Arts Massage School in Raleigh, NC . Since graduating she has attended several trainings and has acquired her certification in Pregnancy Massage.  Utilizing a variety of techniques, such as deep tissue, trigger point and taut band therapy.  She enjoys the therapeutic work for those that are experiencing pain or some kind of structural imbalance.  Recently she began using a Structural Balancing Clinical Massage Technique for people with downward collapsed ‘stooped’ posture.

Collapsed “poor” posture is the overlooked source of rounded shoulders and upper extremity syndromes. Brachial plexus entrapment and nerve compression possibilities such as carpal tunnel symptoms, tennis elbow (epicondylitis) and painful weak grip are some common symptoms.  Loss of shoulder mobility can also be treated with this technique to restore scapular mobility, thereby unlocking the shoulder and spinal joints.  This is a great technique for those desk workers who sit all day in front of a computer. A method of decompressing the body and reducing the tonus (rate  at which the nerves are firing) is utilized to treat these structural imbalances.  Clients find this very relaxing and it is a completely pain free method of treatment.

 Click here to contact Donna.

• Donna is a 2003 Graduate of Medical Arts Massage School in Raleigh North Carolina
• An active Member of the American Massage Council.
• Licensed in the state of North Carolina (NCLMBT#04332).
• Specialty training in Mother’s Massage: Massage During Pregnancy (24 hours)
• Taut band therapy (8hrs)
• NCSAB (21 hrs)

Theresa is a graduate of Body Therapy Institute in Siler City, NC. She has been doing massage for over three years. Theresa has a quiet demeanor and is very intuitive to peoples needs. She does a strong solid massage in addition to having a specialty in Pregnancy Massage.

Click here to contact Theresa.

• Theresa is a 2006 Graduate of BTI in Siler City, North Carolina
• An active member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
• She is Nationally Certified
• Licensed in the state of North Carolina (NCLMBT#7770).
• Specialty training in Mother’s Massage: Massage During Pregnancy (24 hours)

Elizabeth (Beth) O’Connor is married and mother of 2 grown children. Beth is a graduate of the Massage Therapy Diploma Program at BTI (Body Therapy Institute) in Siler City, NC.  She has a background in Spa work. Beth believes massage to be an important part of any wellness program for everyone; helping to bring into balance the mind, body and spirit.  She enjoys assisting clients in working towards their optimal health goals through relaxation, stress reduction and home care education. Beth will provide massage on Thursdays at Village Physical Therapy Clinic in addition to offering & teaching some stress reduction classes.

Click here to contact Beth.

• Beth is a 2010 graduate of Body Therapy Institute 
• Member of the ABMP massage organization
• Member of the AFMTE (Alliance for Massage Therapy Education)
• She is Nationally Certified
• Licensed in the State of North Carolina (NCLMBT# 10639)
• Spirit of Learning Teacher Certification Program 2011 The Center for Somatic Teacher Education: Developing Mastery
• Reiki levels I & ll
• Coming in September:  Reflexology

Doug Pekera is originally from Upstate New York and recently relocated to the Raleigh area with his wife Paulette and their 3 year old daughter, Hannah. He has a degree from Alfred State University in Industrial Design and graduated from the American European Massage School in Raleigh. As an avid sportsman; with interests in golf, hunting, fishing, softball and college rugby, Doug understands the stress one can inflict on the body as a result of an active life style as well as physically demanding occupations in the manual labor trades. Doug will be at the Village Physical Therapy location Thursday afternoons/evenings and Saturday mornings.  In addition, Doug will be doing our On-Site Muscle Therapy work at corporate locations.

click here to contact Doug

• Doug is a 2010 graduate of European Massage School;  Russian Sports Massage
• Member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) since 2010
• He is Nationally Certified 
• Licensed in the State of North Carolina (NCLMBT#10762)