Massage therapist Kristina Reuss, owner of Serenity Massage in Austin, specializes in relaxing people.

Whether someone comes to her for a half-hour neck and back massage or a one-hour full body massage, she does everything she can to make sure their therapy session is quiet, calming and, well, therapeutic.

"Massage has become more accepted by the medical profession as a form of therapy … (but) I think a lot of people still have the idea that it's a luxury to have a massage, but that's not really true," Reuss says. "There are so many therapeutic benefits of massage. There are so many people with lower back or neck pain and a massage would be very beneficial to them."

But just because it's therapy, doesn't mean it has to feel like typical, under-fluorescent-lights-in-a-hospital therapy. Though atmosphere isn't everything, it plays a major role in soothing clients. At Serenity Massage, there are no harsh lights and sterile rooms. Reuss says she's put a lot of time and effort into creating the perfect room for giving massages. Small, quiet and decorated in soft shades of green and lavender, she describes her massage space as "very relaxing, very serene and comfortable. It's a quiet little corner."

She also incorporates scented oils, candles, soft music and dim lighting to calm the senses of every customer. It usually works. "Misty (Christ, owner of MC Photography, who shares business space with Reuss) says people always look like butter when they leave," she says, smiling.

Reuss was one of those "buttery" people several years ago when she first became interested in massage therapy. "I received a massage as a gift and in talking with the therapist, I decided it was something I was interested in doing," she says. So, she signed up for classes at Sister Rosalind's School of Professional Massage in Rochester and after wading through classes about anatomy and physiology, nutrition, accupressure and reflexology, she became a certified therapist.

She worked at a chiropractic's office for awhile, but the desire for more freedom, exposure and a better location lured her into opening up her own business about a year ago. The most challenging thing for her has been "building a clientele, getting people to realize I'm here," she says.

Thanks to handing out many, many business cards and brochures, running specials and getting many references via word of mouth, her number of clients is booming.

And for good reason, says Diane Shaw-Cummins, of Austin. "She does an excellent job," Shaw-Cummins raves. "I like her surroundings, it's in a nice, quiet, spiritual spot that's very comforting and inviting. It's like a cocoon, very warm, comfortable and serene. She does a very good job … it does a lot for your emotional health and your physical health."

Shaw-Cummins says she decided to begin getting massages on a regular basis after she moved to Austin about a year ago. She found Serenity Massage and has been visiting every two weeks since. In fact, she was so impressed with Reuss, she hired her to give the women in her alumni group massages when they had a sleep-over recently.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com