Owner Carine Jemia opened Mustard Seed Massage this past fall at 405 8th St. NE, one of the busiest blocks in Capitol Hill. It has become a welcome oasis that presents several massage modalities, facials and many types of energy-healing techniques. Mustard Seed is the only facility on Capitol Hill to offer cryotherapy.
Jemia said she wants her services to be affordable for everyone, so she offers cost-effective packages and has made financing available. Jemia will bring Mustard Seed treatments to clients in their homes or hotel rooms. “We also enjoy renting out our facility and providing services to a private group. We’ve had pre-wedding parties and a group of women celebrating birthdays or just a girls’ night out.”
What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, sometimes known as cold therapy, is the use of low temperatures in medical therapy. Mustard Seed uses a partial body cryotherapy technique that targets local areas of the body. Jemia said she did much research to find a tool and treatment she believes works well for a variety of needs.
“Cryotherapy is administered by a hand-held device with four different attachments that are used for different reasons,” she explained. The pulsing head breaks up fat, and the radio frequency cavitation head melts the fat and helps break up cellulite. The cooling attachment tones the body and reduces inflammation and pain as well as tightening the skin. The fourth attachment, the bipolar head, improves stretch marks, wrinkles and fine lines. Mustard Seed also performs cryofacials to tackle fine lines
and wrinkles.
The treatment is non-invasive and painless. A client lies on the table and does not have to disrobe. “The machine glides over the body part we are working on,” said Jemia. The cooling wand goes below subzero temperatures and may produce a strange sensation but no pain. The temperature is colder than a typical ice pack and can reduce pain and swelling because the cold constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation to the area.
Mustard Seed Massage has one cryotherapy machine in its Capitol Hill location. Jemia recommends six sessions, with one every five days. “It’s a non-invasive therapy, therefore a client needs no time to recover,” she added.
Other Services Offered
Mustard Seed has many types of services. Massages include deep tissue, medical, sports therapy, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, isolative stretching, hot stone and aroma therapy. Her energy-healing modalities include sound baths, nervous system tune-ups for people under stress, breathing lessons, Reiki and chakra balancing as well
as cupping.
The Eighth Street NE location is Jemia’s second (the other is on K Street NW). It was formerly housed in Union Station, but Jemia found that location to have changed significantly so she searched for another spot to serve her Capitol Hill clients.
Jemia believes massage should be a part of everyone’s wellness and self-care journey. “We help people with chronic stress, pain, rehabilitation issues. We believe consistent outcome-based massage therapy creates lasting change.”
Jemia named the spa after a biblical verse, Matthew 17:20-21, “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Mustard seeds are among the tiniest of seeds and seem almost insignificant, said Jemia. “A mustard seed is only about one millimeter, yet when watered and nurtured can grow into a towering and beautiful tree 30 feet tall whose branches have an impressive girth that invite birds to perch.”
Jemia created Mustard Seed Massage to nurture every individual to grow in health. For information or to make an appointment at Mustard Seed Massage at 405 8th St. NE, visit www.mustardseedspa.com or call (202) 644-3759.
Pattie Cinelli is a health and fitness professional and journalist who has been writing her column for more than 25 years. She focuses on nontraditional ways to stay healthy, get fit and get well. Please email her with questions or column suggestions at fitmiss44@aol.com.
