By Debbie Adams
Award-winning Therapeutic Elements, LLC, has expanded into a new location at 223 W.
Virginia Avenue, Suite A, just next door to their previous space in Vinton, celebrating the move
with the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon-cutting event on February 6. Vinton
Economic Development Specialist Marshall Stanley and Chamber Executive Director Angie
Chewning thanked the business for initially locating, and then expanding, in Vinton.
Owner and licensed massage therapist Tristina Pagans says the added space allows them to
provide additional services to their clients, including a variety of massage types for various
ailments, as well as canine and equine massage therapy for dogs and horses. They are also
collaborating with the Rail Yard Dawgs as their official massage therapists this season.
Pagans and her sister, Helena Losh, co-founded Therapeutic Elements (then known as P.S.
Massage Clinic@Therapeutic Elements LLC) in 2019, just before the COVID pandemic. Their
goal was to offer a more medically oriented, holistic approach to massage therapy – committed
not just to promoting relaxation but contributing to clients’ overall health and well-being. They
address the underlying causes of discomfort and pain, bridging the gap between traditional
healthcare and alternative therapies.
Services include therapeutic massage, medical massage, trigger point massage, pre-natal
massage for expectant mothers, sports massage, full body waxing, cupping (massage therapy
which decompresses soft tissue using vacuum suction), and sugaring (a hair removal technique
for those with sensitive skin that doesn’t remove the skin), in addition to the K-9 and equine
therapy.
Pagans started out as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but decided to transition into massage
therapy, and has continued to add certifications. Given the expanded space, she would eventually
like to introduce waxing tech classes.
Ceirra Pagans (Tristina’s daughter) provides the K-9 and equine massage therapy, working with
dogs at the clinic and horses on their farms.
Diane Woods is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, newly certified in Lymphatic massage (which reduces swelling). She also works at Carilion.
Tristina and Therapeutic Elements have a wall full of awards for their work – Gold and Silver
from The Roanoker Magazine as “Best Massage Therapist,” in addition to Platinum Level
awards from CommunityVotes for Homeopathy, Holistic Wellness, Health Spas, Hair Removal
and Waxing, and Massages. The business also placed 10 th in the Gauntlet Business Program and
Competition in 2024.
Pagans and her husband, Brian, live close to Vinton. Several years ago, they noticed the
available space on Virginia Avenue (Suite B) which “just seemed to fit” them. Recently, when
the tanning salon next door left, they asked to move into Suite A. With the help of brother-in-law
Kevin Brown, they remodeled the space, which is three times larger than the previous one.
As for how they got involved with canine therapy, Pagans says some of her clients with service
dogs suggested that she add the therapy for dogs. Daughter Ceirra (who started by just helping
out at the clinic) took the canine/equine class last year, finishing the course and becoming
certified even before she graduated from Franklin County High School.
Another staff member is the Pagans’ dog, Sigyn, who can be found in the reception area greeting
clients.
Pagans is originally from Dayton, Va. (near Harrisonburg). She moved here with her mother, met
Brian, and stayed.
For more information, visit their website at https://www.therapeuticelements.net/ , email them at
TherapeuticElements.LLC@gmail.com, visit their Facebook page at Therapeutic Elements LLC,
or call 540-566-3771.
