Body Harmony of Arlington

07/10/2025

Next week is Everybody Deserves a Massage Week at AFSPA! July 13-19

From the AFSPA CEO: "Traveling can be wonderful, yet it often leaves you feeling exhausted. After a trip, you might yearn for a moment of relaxation, and a soothing massage is the perfect remedy. This is why we celebrate Everybody Deserves a Massage Week from July 13 to 19! This special week highlights the benefits of massage therapy. I encourage you to schedule a session with a qualified massage therapist...Getting a massage can significantly alleviate anxiety, reduce stress levels, enhance mood, combat insomnia, and relieve joint pain or discomfort." -Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC

Come see one of our talented massage therapist and get a custom-made receipt ready for AFSPA submission. Book today!

Body Harmony of Arlington is your ultimate wellness haven, offering an extensive array of services designed to elevate your health and vitality! Immerse yourself in the soothing atmosphere as you indulge in our expert therapeutic massages, chiropractic care, and rejuvenating acupuncture treatments.

06/13/2025

We are super excited 🤩preparing for our special Foreign Service appreciation and connection event tomorrow! Check out the details on our events page! 

05/20/2025

The Clarendon Alliance proudly presents the Music by the Metro - Clarendon Concert Series! Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music, community spirit, and good vibes — all happening outdoors at Clarendon Metro Park. These Thursday night concerts in May are free and open to all.

📅 May 22, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM

Veronneau 🎶🎤
• Facebook: Véronneau
• Instagram:

Bring your picnic blanket or grab takeout from a nearby Clarendon favorite — and get ready to dance! All ages welcome.

🚇 Just steps from the Clarendon Metro Station

🎫 Get your free tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/clarendons-music-by-the-metro-featuring-veronneau-tickets-1321157721309

05/07/2025

MOST of our Body Harmony community has been impacted significantly by government policy changes over the past few months.

Whether they are State Department, other federal agency employees, or businesses that support these agencies and the folks belonging to these communities… which includes this office… the ongoing stress and uncertainty has been unprecedented.

Although I am not a mental health practitioner, as a chiropractor of 34+ years, I have seen firsthand the very real physical effects that mental stresses can have on our bodies.

Lately, many patients have come in expressing distress that their physical complaints (body pain, headache, muscle spasm, etc.) have returned, or are worse, and they are puzzled why.

I have created a presentation called: A Mindful Guide to Combat Stress, Pain, & Inflammation for Federal Employees. Access the full slides in our Google Drive (28 pages at the moment, links will be active), and FEEL FREE to pass it on to anyone you feel might benefit from the information. :)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14nzAf96MK7nX6oZdSqued3xhvdQ-uEkS/view

"You have the FREEDOM to choose how you RESPOND to stress."
When some elements of our life are out of control, that doesn’t mean everything is out of our control.

During these times, don’t let go of your freedom to choose, your self-determination, and your ability to act."

Be well!

Dr Ellen

03/24/2025

As we navigate through incredibly uncertain times…
it’s vital to prioritize taking care of ourselves. It’s not just important—it's essential. We are not alone, and intentionally seeking support and community can make a world of difference.

FSBP members have access to valuable health resources through AFSPA, as well as whole-body wellness here at Body Harmony. Both can be incredibly helpful as we navigate feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress.

At the bottom of this post, we have listed several telehealth services available through AFSPA, many of which are covered 100%.

And, while targeted therapeutic massage is our specialty, here’s an idea: At your next massage, ask your therapist to set aside some of your session-time for:

~ Aromatherapy: they have access to a variety of essential oils that can help you relax, enhance your mood, clear your head.

~ CALM: how about take the last 10 minutes of your session to work on your feet, scalp, or encourage whole-body blood flow?

~ ASK! Each of our therapists brings unique skillsets to our space, so whether it’s heated bamboo sticks, hot towels, or something else, I know they’ll come up with just the right thing. :)

IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO GET MOTIVATED TO ‘ACT’
WHEN WE’RE FEELING OVERWHELMED.
Yet there are LOTS of small things we can do to get those ‘feel good’ and healthy vibes flowing in our body.

PICK ONE THING TO DO:

11 healthy ways to handle life’s stressors
https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/tips
When stress becomes unmanageable, try these evidence-based tools to tackle it in healthy ways
American Psychological Association Logo

The Healing Power of Touch: New Scientific Insights
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202404/the-healing-power-of-touch-new-scientific-insights
A new study presents novel insights on the mental health benefits of touch.
Psychology Today

AFSPA MENTAL TELEHEALTH RESOURCES:
myStrength™ offers interactive web and mobile applications for you and your dependents aged 13 and older, featuring evidence-based therapies like:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness Acceptance
To enroll, visit www.mystrength.com, select “Sign-up,” enter access code “FSBP,” and complete the sign-up process with a Wellness Assessment.

Teledoc consultations for primary and specialty care are available to members in the U.S. for conditions such as depression and anxiety. Service is available only while in the U.S. To sign up, visit www.teladoc.com/Aetna or call 855-Teladoc (1-855-835-2362).

Lyra Health offers 24/7 telehealth services for members living outside the U.S. (or when traveling temporarily) for conditions like anxiety and depression. To sign up, download the Lyra Health app or visit https://lyrahealth.com/.

When stress becomes unmanageable, try evidence-based tools to tackle it in healthy ways, including social support, good nutrition, relaxation techniques, meditation, and exercise.

11/12/2024

Don't forget to RSVP. Classic French pastries, espresso, and friends!

JOIN us for our first: Body Harmony “Global Tribe” Coffee & Mingle
Saturday, November 16th
11am-12:30pm
923 N Kenmore St

The coolest thing keeps happening at Body Harmony… And we LOVE it! The Foreign Service/State Department community is as big part of the Body Harmony community.

And as ‘regulars’ and new folks check in and out, catch up with Lacey at the front desk, or come to one of Dr. Ellen’s workshops, they end up chatting or overhearing a conversation, and discover someone who just came back from the country they are going to next, they run into someone they haven't seen since they worked together overseas 10 years ago…or they know someone who used to be the other person’s colleague in < fill in the name of country here >

It’s happening so often that we thought we’d throw a little get-together!

So join us for bakery-fresh French pastries, fruit, and Nespresso with the Body Harmony State Department ‘Global Tribe’. Connect with friends from long ago, and meet new ones entering the State Department world with whom you can share your experiences and wisdom. We know a few ‘newbies’ still settling into FSI who would be grateful for some guidance and perspective.

Come munch on yummy pastries and mingle and meet one another --maybe ask questions about the process or about different countries, or help a person just starting their career feel a little more ‘connected’ and at home in Arlington.

Bring a friend! It’s FREE.

Please RSVP here so we know how many to prepare for.

11/05/2024

JOIN us for our first: Body Harmony “Global Tribe” Coffee & Mingle
Saturday, November 16th
11am-12:30pm
923 N Kenmore St

The coolest thing keeps happening at Body Harmony… And we LOVE it! The Foreign Service/State Department community is as big part of the Body Harmony community.

And as ‘regulars’ and new folks check in and out, catch up with Lacey at the front desk, or come to one of Dr. Ellen’s workshops, they end up chatting or overhearing a conversation, and discover someone who just came back from the country they are going to next, they run into someone they haven't seen since they worked together overseas 10 years ago…or they know someone who used to be the other person’s colleague in < fill in the name of country here >

It’s happening so often that we thought we’d throw a little get-together!

So join us for bakery-fresh French pastries, fruit, and Nespresso with the Body Harmony State Department ‘Global Tribe’. Connect with friends from long ago, and meet new ones entering the State Department world with whom you can share your experiences and wisdom. We know a few ‘newbies’ still settling into FSI who would be grateful for some guidance and perspective.

Come munch on yummy pastries and mingle and meet one another --maybe ask questions about the process or about different countries, or help a person just starting their career feel a little more ‘connected’ and at home in Arlington.

Bring a friend! It’s FREE.

Please RSVP here so we know how many to prepare for.

10/10/2024

Are you with the Foreign Service? Check out our Welcome Packet for info on the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, things to do in Arlington, and exclusive offers juts for you! The link updates as we add more items, so check back often!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wAgrgwHFe4llt2bE8GxKwwR0JlNwEflF/view

10/10/2024

I had a patient recently use this term when I checked in with her

as she showed up for the next appointment in her care plan.

And I love it!

It’s a good way to look at improvement in our bodies, whether we are:
-recovering from a traumatic injury,
-just getting over a recent flareup, or maybe

Helping correct what has become a chronic problem over a number of years, 3, 5, or maybe even over 10 years…(we get THAT a LOT around here!

It takes TIME.

I often also use the expression: “two steps forward, one back, then another two steps forward, one back.”

What makes our improvement ‘slide back’ as we are getting better?

A number of things, but a BIG part is your soft tissue ‘memory’ that has gotten used to being OUT of balance, OUT of functional alignment, OUT of harmony. Just like we humans, your soft tissue is resistant to change, and it takes a while to respond to the process of bodywork.

Also, old and unconscious habits, living with inattention to how we are holding and using our body throughout the day. In general, the longer you have been in the condition you are in the longer it takes to get/feel better. 10 years of hunching doesn’t get fixed in 3 weeks…it’s a process. “Trending positive”

Ultimately, you end up in a better, more well, more physically optimal place, if YOU do things when you are away from the office that help support your improvement, for example:

-follow ergonomic recommendations, and
-fitness suggestions, and
-being intentional about your body movement and posture, and

become aware of what things in your home environment challenge you? Soft mattress, bad pillow, squishy couch, habits like reading in bed (BAD!), cell phone use with your head down, mind-less posture, sleeping position…

Coming to Dr. Ellen’s Functional Strength & Flexibility Workshop helps you identify all of these things, and you walk away with strategies and more intention.

It’s important to remember to be a “patient patient” (!), that this is a collaborative experience… not just our team here at Body Harmony working to “fix” you. The most improvement comes when you are doing your part to help take care of your physical form this time around.

“The body that you end up with ​down the road is the body that you earn EVERY day.”
Dr. Ellen

09/28/2024

The skies are blue! The massages are free! Come see us at Clarendon Day. We are near the metro at Wilson and N Herndon St.

09/25/2024

Join us this Saturday at Clarendon Day. We'll be out there with 2 tents--rain or shine--with free chair massages, giveaways, and a chance to win a free one-hour massage. Sounds good-right? 💆

🔥🔥🔥

Thanks Clarendon Alliance for all the work you do you make this special day happen!

08/24/2024

Come see us at our booth, pick up some exclusive Body Harmony SWAG, and register for the chance to win one of our prizes! 🙌

Our much beloved Clarendon Day takes place on September 28th! Swing by this annual street festival where we will have food, crafters, music, kids’ activities and day-long excitement! Hours 11am- 6pm !

More information can be found on our Clarendon Alliance webpage! https://www.clarendon.org/clarendon-day/

#2024