Hand & Stone featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine

Hand & Stone was featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine February edition. The article focuses on how massage has become an extension of physical therapy in an article titled “A Market for Massage: How physical therapists have integrated massage therapy into their careers.” Founder of Hand & Stone John Marco explains how his background in physical therapy helped him pursue an entrepreneurial career in massage therapy. Click here to view the full article!

A Market for Massage: How physical therapists have integrated massage therapy into their careers
By BRIAN W. FERRIE

Massage Therapy

Massage has long been recognized as a beneficial treatment to relieve muscle tension and provide general relaxation of body and mind. But what correlation does massage have to physical therapy? To learn their thoughts on the topic, ADVANCE spoke to PTs on both coasts who have embraced massage in different ways.

Neil Bastian, PT, LMT, owner and founder of Bastian Physical Therapy in Lake Oswego, OR, became a licensed massage therapist in 1985 before earning his physical therapy degree in 1989.

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Hand & Stone Founder John Marco interviewed by Advcance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine

Hand & Stone was recently featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine in an article called “Five Questions with John Marco.” The article discusses how Founder of Hand & Stone, John Marco utilized his background as a physical therapist to create and grow Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. John speaks about massage therapy being extremely beneficial for health reasons but lacking in accessibility and affordability, which ultimately gave him the idea to create the concept, Hand & Stone. Read a portion of the story below or check out the full article here:

5 Questions With: John Marco
by Jonathan Bassett

As awareness of the health benefits of massage continues to rise, massage therapy is no longer considered a luxury item. It's become a lifestyle choice for those seeking longevity and wellness.

With corporate offices in Hamilton, NJ, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has grown to incorporate 35 franchise locations across 11 states and in Canada. In 2005, company founder and COO John Marco leveraged a 25-year career in physical therapy to establish a unique business model that allows clients to schedule an appointment on the day of service, rather than tracking down a freelance massage therapist and waiting days or weeks for an appointment. Membership rates mean clients pay far less than traditional hourly rates.

In this interview with ADVANCE, Marco discusses his 25-year physical therapy career, how the idea of his business came about, and what's next for Hand & Stone.

ADVANCE: How did you get your start in physical therapy?

Marco: In 1977 I volunteered as a physical therapy aide in a rehabilitation hospital in Toms River, NJ. Within a few weeks a job opening became available for a PT aide position, and I took it. It didn't take long for me to see that some very special things were being done right before my eyes. I was hooked on a healing profession. I was hooked on physical therapy. (Read More)