Seeking a “Sound Body Sound Mind”

Jersey Girl Patti Durkin, had more responsibility than most kids did her age by being the oldest girl of eight siblings. With a bustling home and busy childhood, Patti cherished summers spent at Camp Mesacosa, a leadership camp owned by Patti’s Great Aunt, for young girls in the Adirondack Mountains.

Miss Yunck, owner of Mesacosa, was a strong, independent, highly educated woman, whom Patti recognizes as her first insight to being a naturalist. Miss Yunck knew exactly which leaf or home remedy would cure a camper’s ailment. Patti discovered how camp was a way for her to rejuvenate. With each summer spent away at camp, Patti began to understand how relaxing with new friends, enjoying outdoor recreation, learning to be resourceful, were physically and mentally beneficial. These experiences held influences that Patti would thread throughout her journey to become a health and well-being expert.

Patti always found herself at the forefront of the wellness movements.

At Montclair State University, not many students were studying massage or aware of wellness and holistic health. Patti majored in Recreation and Business Administration while independently keeping up-to-date on the wellness movement. On campus, Patti maintained two sets of libraries. One filled with school textbooks and the other of ‘cool’, holistic books.

Patti studied and taught herself yoga, attended workshops about reflexology and other massage techniques. Offering endless massage sessions to her classmates, Patti was eager to hear their valuable feedback and willing to adjust her techniques in order to benefit her clients. Summers spent around the country as a camp counselor offered Patti the opportunity to connect with numerous people from the wellness industry. During the summer of ’82, Patti accepted an invitation to participate in a Pilot Wellness Program, organized by Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. There she received a large manual outlining the technical details about self-care philosophies, breathing exercises, meditating and general body wellness. This was a revolutionary program confirming Patti’s passion and gift for massage and wellness.

Travel for discovery.

“I’m very comfortable helping and working with people. I have a long line of nurses in my family. As a kid, I wished I could ‘be’ a nurse. But I knew I couldn’t be anything else but a massage therapist.” Patti Durkin

At the time Patti graduated from college, no one at the Jersey Shore considered massage therapeutic.  With California leading the wellness industry and Florida inundated with massage businesses, the only tempting option in Patti’s mind was to tap into her second passion, her love for travel. Travel and discovery were a large part of Patti’s life as a camper. Patti knew at this time in her life, she needed to explore more options for how massage and wellness, was going to be shaped into her life.

History Proved itself.

“When my great, great grandmother moved from Budapest to the US to a make a new life for herself, she worked as massage therapist.  Patti Durkin

Unsure of her destination, Patti packed her backpack and booked a one-way ticket to Europe. She met up with other counselors and trekked around 12 countries, including France, Switzerland, Morocco and Italy.  Having embraced massage and a lifestyle of wellness for centuries, Europe strengthened Patti’s need for understanding the benefits of massage. Only in the States was massage considered, NEW AGE.  This was the missing puzzle piece to Patti’s knowledge and confirmed the validity of her career choice.  Massage therapy has been benefiting people for ages.

Patti returned home from Europe rejuvenated and with a plan. She went to Florida to earn her Certification in Massage and returned to NJ to work with chiropractors and salons.

Therapeutic Touch "early days" 1989

After two years of improving her skill, an opportunity to open her own studio became available and Patti signed a lease for a small, one-room office. It was the first business at the Jersey Shore, exclusively offering massage therapy. In 1989 and with the tourist season kicking off, Therapeutic Touch opened its doors to the public. 

Success is working with your gifts and passion.

“I smile recalling my father who believed that being a massage therapist was ‘rebellious’.  It was not until after I gave him a massage that he said to me, “Good for you Patti. You found your niche for helping others.”

In the beginning, folks were leery of a massage business, and they warned Patti of her imminent failure. She even had to convince the Yellow Pages Representative, that ‘Massage Therapist’ should be a category in the book.  Determined to succeed, Patti continued to promote her business. In between scheduling clients and giving massages, Patti would have to ice her forearms to keep up with the appointments.

And the rest is history…

20 years later, Patti’s massage business and reputation as a wellness expert, exceeds her at the Jersey Shore. Today, Therapeutic Touch a Center for Well-Being includes five-luxury treatment rooms, a boutique, yoga-on-the beach, seasonal physical fitness clinics, acupuncture, holistic skin care, Circle of Life Health and Wellness Coaching and friendly staff; all located at a coveted resort town of Bay Head NJ.

Patti and her welcoming staff are knowledgeable in massage techniques that will guarantee every client’s experience to be memorable.

How does Patti create a memorable experience?

Our clients come from all over the world to vacation in Bay Head, NJ. I enjoy hearing how Therapeutic Touch Massages are the best they have ever had. This feedback fills my heart.” Patti Durkin

Having a business located a block from the ocean is like a dream come true for any spa owner. The studio has a wonderful flow and allows clients to experience a ‘retreat’ from their reality. Patti wants her clients to feel like they slipped into an environment that captures and transports them into a luxurious haven for their senses.

The boutique carries at-home spa products, skin and body care, nutrition and fitness gear. Patti invites experts to provide her staff with continuing education. Through hands-on-training, new massage methods and techniques taught.

Patti, a camp counselor at heart, has lead many groups on domestic spa vacations. Soon she hopes to take this idea more globally. Gathering new and ancient traditions of massage, keeps Patti focused and aligned with her passions in life.

Patti’s calling is to help others see the importance of wellness and begin, in small increments, to discover what helps them obtain a ‘sound mind and sound body’.

“When your self is full and cared for, that nurturing feeling will overflow into other areas of your life.  Self care is no longer seen as indulgent, but a necessity to reduce stress and stay emotionally and physically balanced.” Patti Durkin

Patti and Roger