For many, gratitude in November centers on family gatherings, holiday traditions, and warm meals around the table. But for Krystal Wilson, owner of Body Fountain in Mokena, there’s another gift to be thankful for: movement.
“Massage can help keep bodies feeling and performing years younger by reducing muscle tension,” she explains. “When stiffness decreases, joints move more freely, circulation improves, and oxygen and nutrients flow more easily through the body. That’s how we keep people moving well—and moving longer.”
Krystal sees the impact of modern lifestyles every day. Hours spent sitting at desks often lead to tight hamstrings and low back pain, while rounded shoulders from constant use of the chest and front shoulder muscles can create numbness and tension that extend all the way into the hands. “We rarely balance that out with activities that strengthen our back muscles,” she notes. “Massage helps correct those imbalances before they turn into chronic problems.”
That’s why she encourages clients to think of massage not only as recovery, but as preventive care. “I always say, let us undo what you do to yourself,” Krystal says with a laugh. “Just like your car needs an oil change, your body needs maintenance. Routine massage reduces tension, minimizes wear and tear, and keeps your body moving the way it’s supposed to.”
The benefits extend beyond mobility. Massage therapy is also a powerful antidote to stress, helping regulate the hormones that influence mood, sleep, and even connection with others. “When we’re stressed, cortisol runs high. We don’t sleep well, we hold on to anger, and our muscles tighten,” Wilson explains. “Massage enables the release of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Those are the hormones of joy, motivation, and bonding. Receiving a massage really can improve your appetite, your mood, and your ability to love life.”
Wilson has seen firsthand how transformative massage can be. One client came in struggling with frozen shoulder, unable to dress themselves or lift their arm overhead without excruciating pain. “Through targeted massage, hot stones, and cupping, we were able to reduce stiffness and restore full movement,” she recalls. “They didn’t need medication or surgery as their doctor had suggested. The human body wants to repair itself, sometimes it just needs the right help.”
That sense of restoration extends to the entire Body Fountain community. What began as a passion for healing has grown into a thriving wellness center with 34 employees, each dedicated to helping clients leave lighter, looser, and happier than when they arrived. “I’m thankful not only for the family we’ve created among our staff, but for the joy we get to share with our community,” Krystal says. “Clients may walk in stressed, worn out, or in pain, but when they leave floating on a cloud, we know we’ve done our job. Life is hard; rejoicing in the comforting hands of our therapists just makes life better.”
This season of thankfulness, Krystal encourages everyone to pause and honor the everyday miracle of movement. “Being able to get out of bed, reach for a glass, or hug your child without pain - that’s something to be grateful for,” she says. And at Body Fountain, helping people rediscover that gratitude is at the heart of everything they do.