“Massage is a very personalized experience. It has finally become respected as an essential part of peoples’ lives. Massage cannot be fully described with words, but is something everyone deserves to experience for themselves.”
                                         -Chris Hansen Juliani

Essential Bodywork and Massage, Inc. is the realization of a dream for Chris Hansen. While Chris had managed her own massage therapy practice for years, it was always under someone else's roof. That all changed in November of 2002 when Chris opened a storefront location on Massachusetts Avenue in historic Lexington. Here, Chris was able to carefully plan and design the perfect environment for massage and to share the space with other associates who provide massage therapy of the very highest quality. She has created a warm and inviting place where people can come to relax, clear their minds and temporarily escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Chris' motivation for opening Essential Bodywork and Massage, Inc. is, quite simply, to help people live richer, more fulfilling lives. In fact, she has been helping people for years, first as a social worker in Worcester, Massachusetts and later in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked with runaway and homeless teenagers and their families in their homes, shelters and on the streets. Chris' life was profoundly changed when she sought relief from the high stress of her own job and discovered massage therapy. She quickly realized how positive and enriching an experience massage was. This is how Chris found herself on the path to becoming a massage therapist herself, where she would be in a position to share the benefits of massage and help to improve the lives of many people.

Chris grew up in Westchester, New York and studied social work and psychology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She received her massage therapy training at the Minneapolis School of Massage and Bodywork and soon thereafter became a certified member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. She has been a licensed and certified massage therapist since 1995 and moved her practice along with her beloved pets, Betty (lab-husky) and cat, Alex to the Boston area in 1998.

Chris' athletic background in running, rowing, weight lifting and yoga assist her in working with others who exercise and those who aspire to exercise. Her energy, motivation and knowledge are exemplified in her work, which is creative, specific and individualized. Chris educates and explores with clients what they can do to reduce stress, tension and pain in their bodies. Chris is committed to enriching her life and her practice through such activities as running, hiking, meditation, personal growth work and ongoing massage training.

Techniques that Chris may draw upon during a session include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Relaxation, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release and Sports Massage. In addition, she is a great resource on a number of complementary practices including stretching, nutrition, posture, breathing, meditation and relaxation.