Our Therapists

Sara Toogood

Bodywork Connections Founder

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.

Donna Gerstner

Bodywork Connections LMBT Associate

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.

Theresa Teague

Bodywork Connections LMBT Associate

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.

 

Elizabeth (Beth) O’Connor

Bodywork Connections LMBT Associate

Elizabeth (Beth) O’Connor is married and a 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 is available Monday evenings 4 – 8pm Tuesday evenings 5 – 8pm  Thursday 10am – 7pm and every other Saturday 12:30 – 4pm at Bodywork Connections Village Physical Therapy Clinic location (251 W. Center St. Downtown Holly Springs)  in addition to offering & teaching some stress reduction classes.

Beth was recently certified as an Integrative Reflexology Massage Therapist by Claire Marie Miller Seminars, one of the nation’s leaders in massage therapy. Beth is available to offer Integrative Reflexology; foot, hand & ear reflexology.  Beth is trained to understand the foot’s structure and the importance it plays in body alignment. Zone pathways are stimulated for better circulation, and the proprioceptors on the bottom of the feet are stimulated to create a calming effect throughout the entire body.

Everyone may benefit from therapeutic Integrative Reflexology, from children to the elderly and especially those with chronic health challenges as well as those who desire stress reduction.

Click here to contact Beth.

Doug Pekera

Bodywork Connections LMBT Associate

Doug Pekera is originally from Upstate New York and 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 Wednesday 4pm – 8pm and Saturday mornings 8 am – noon.  In addition, Doug will be doing our On-Site Muscle Therapy work at corporate locations.

click here to contact Doug