For anyone who doubts the benefits a good therapeutic massage can have on the human body, Dowagiac’s Sarah Strong has a single line she uses to convince naysayers.

“Just give me an hour.”

Locals wanting to take Strong up on her offer are invited to stop by her new practice, Healthy Body Healthy Mind Massage, located downtown inside the former Sew Can You Sewing School storefront on Pennsylvania Avenue. Strong opened the business late last month, and is currently accepting private and business clients for appointments throughout the workweek, she said.

A native of Marcellus, Strong has been a licensed massage therapist for the last three years, receiving her certification from Baker College in Muskegon. After spending a few years working at chiropractic practices in Muskegon, Strong moved back closer to home to Dowagiac, where she continued to offer massage therapy to local clients, she said.

Several months ago, Strong decided to strike out on her own, working with the Dowagiac Chamber to locate a suitable storefront for her new operation.

“I decided to give it a try,” Strong said. “People had been giving me good reviews, and were seeing benefits from my massages, so why no take it a step farther?”

Since acquiring the space on Pennsylvania, Strong and her fiancé, Eric Hicks, have turned the former sewing school into a small clinic for clients, with a single bed therapy room for in-house appointments.

In addition to seeing people at her office, Strong also offers home/office services, and even brings along a mobile massage chair for quick sessions during festivals or events, she said.

Specializing in deep tissue massages, Strong said her practice is like detox for the body, providing numerous health benefits from improving circulation and balance to eliminating muscle tension.

Over the years she has worked with a variety of different clients, from children to athletes recovering from injury, she said.

“Pretty much anyone can benefit from massage therapy,” she said.

To celebrate the opening of her practice, Strong is offering a discounted rate on a one-hour massage session. In addition, the practice will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening next month, Strong said.

For appointments, people can call Strong at (231) 720-8005.

“I want to help people get better,” Strong said. “I know that massage therapy benefits people, and I want to help get the word out about it.”