by Sheila G. Kelley, Development Coordinator
“In through your nose, out through your mouth.” It’s a simple instruction that clients at Breathe Deep Works in downtown Peabody hear often, but this mindful breathing is just the beginning of the healing process.
Tucked inside a beautifully preserved, 140-year-old building, Breathe Deep Works is owned and operated by Rachel Gfeller, a massage therapist with nearly two decades of experience. Rachel offers a wide variety of wellness treatments, including deep tissue, hot stone, relaxation, cupping, and prenatal massage. But for Rachel, massage is more than a service—it’s a mission to help people care for their bodies and live with less pain and more vitality.
“I believe when someone walks in my door, they’re here because they want better for themselves,” Rachel says. “If I have a technique or stretch that can help you long-term, I’m going to explain it in a way that makes sense. Everything I do is rooted in love—for my craft and for my clients.”
Rachel continues to grow her skills through continuing education and recently added the Spinal Flow Technique (SF) to her practice. This innovative method works with the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for deep relaxation and healing. Through gentle touch on access points along the spine, like the sacrum and temples, Rachel helps guide clients out of the stress-driven “fight, flight, or freeze” state and into a place where true healing can begin.
“In 2024, I began studying Spinal Flow, and it’s the missing link in my career,” she shares. “It’s gentle, but powerful. I’ve seen incredible results—people who’ve lived with daily pain are finally finding relief.”
Spinal Flow sessions typically last 15–30 minutes. Clients lie face down while Rachel applies light pressure, helping their bodies release stored stress. Repeated sessions help retrain the body to process stress instead of storing it, which can otherwise create blockages in the nervous system and disrupt wellness.
“When we suppress emotions or physical responses to stress, that energy has to go somewhere,” Rachel explains. “It gets trapped around the spine and blocks nerve signals. Over time, that’s what can lead to disease in the body.”
Rachel, a proud graduate of Peabody High School, is also a wife and mom of two. Whether through traditional massage or Spinal Flow, her passion is clear: helping others live healthier, more balanced lives.
Great post, thanks for sharing!