YouTube Video Draws Awareness to Healing Hands for Arthritis

Online, September 9, 2013 (Newswire.com) - At Massage Envy Spa, talented hands usually belong to the licensed massage therapists and estheticians.

At Massage Envy Spa Imperial Oaks, those talented hands also belong to Brittaney Gaither, a young woman who works at the front desk who was inspired to make a YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/gBrittaney) for Healing Hands for Arthritis on September 18, 2013.

A classically trained violinist - she has played for 18 years, since she was a little over three years old - Brittaney began working at Massage Envy Spa four months ago while she goes back to school to work on her master's degree. Brittaney's YouTube channel has over 27,000 subscribers.

"I wanted to get the word out about the foundation and motivate our employees," Brittaney explains. "We have a page on our website - people can make appointments and donations."

Brittaney was also motivated because her grandmother, who died in 1988, had rheumatoid arthritis. In the video, she plays the beautiful theme from a 1988 animated Japanese film My Neighbor Totoro. Links are included on the page so viewers can donate to Healing Hands for Arthritis.

Serena Paganini, clinic administrator for Massage Envy Spa Imperial Oaks, is enthusiastic. "I think it's fantastic! Brittaney has taken an art form I love - classical music - and made it more modern and accessible. My 8-year-old loves anime and was surprised to hear that a song she knew could be played on the violin and not computer-generated."

"I think she did a great job!" says Bob Higgins, owner of Massage Envy Spa Imperial Oaks. "And keep in mind, Brittaney is donating a portion of what she receives from YouTube for the amount of people that view this video."

Massage Envy Spa Imperial Oaks is located at 2211 Rayford Rd. Suite 115, Spring, TX 77386. For more information or to make an appointment, call 281-292-8878.

Massage Envy Spa and the Arthritis Foundation have joined forces to host the third annual Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one-day national event to build awareness and raise funds to fight arthritis. On September 18, 2013, the 29 Houston area Massage Envy Spas will donate $10 from every one-hour massage or facial to the Arthritis Foundation. Over the past two years, this one-day nationwide event has raised over $1M for the Arthritis Foundation.

To make an appointment for the Healing Hands for Arthritis event, log on to http://www.massageenvy.com/regions/TX/Houston.aspx to find the nearest Massage Envy SpaReservations are now being accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. All proceeds donated during Healing Hands for Arthritis will support the Arthritis Foundation's nationwide efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis. Murad®, Massage Envy Spa's exclusive skin care partner, will donate 10 percent of all sales from their products sold at Massage Envy Spa locations during the event to the Arthritis Foundation. Additionally, Wyndmere and BioFreeze will donate 10 percent of all sales from their products from Massage Envy Spa locations.

About Massage Envy Spa
Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage and spa services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy Spa has nearly 900 locations in 47 states. The company was recently ranked #81 in Entrepreneur's 2013 Franchise 500 and #29 in its Fastest Growing Franchise rankings. Massage Envy Spa is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and was named a Military Friendly Franchise in 2013. For more information, visit www.MassageEnvy.com. Follow Massage Envy Spa Houston on Facebook - www.facebook.com/MassageEnvyHouston and Twitter -www.twitter.com/MassageEnvyHou.

Over the past two years, Massage Envy Spa has donated nearly $100,000 to fund clinical research related to the benefits of massage therapy. Recent scientific studies have found that massage therapy increases immune function, decreases stress levels and reduces recovery time in many medical conditions including arthritis. With consumers visiting massage therapists at least 140 million times a year, it is evident that more Americans are turning to therapeutic massage to relieve the painful symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia, while improving circulation, joint flexibility, sleep patterns and an overall sense of well-being. The experienced, professional therapists at Massage Envy Spas can design effective and customized massage treatments to address the individual needs of any member or guest.

About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious, painful and unacceptable disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

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