May said he came late to the profession of massage, but it is the one among the many he has tried that he is most suited for. “It's been really good for me. It kind of fits my personality. I like working with people like making a difference for people,” he said. 

May himself was born and raised in Hope (though there was a short period spent in Louisiana), having graduated from the school just across the street from him in 1981.  Before entering the profession of massage, he worked several jobs in Louisiana and then back in Hope starting when he was 22, but at the age of 40 he went to massage school at Texarkana Touch for Health. 

Since finishing there, he has kept learning more and adding to what he can offer his patients. “I’ve had numerous trainings by numerous continuing education teachers and workshops, and I've worked with some of the best people in this business.” 

While working up in Nashville as a therapist for 16 years, May said, he began to find his specialty and expand on what he could do. “It really got me interested in the pain relief part of massage therapy, range of motion type of thing. And that's kind of my bread and butter. But I've since ventured off into other things. Since then I’ve been certified in a number of modalities.” 

These he has brought to his location on Hope’s East Sixteenth Street where customers can select from a menu of options to fit their needs and wants. The sessions range from 60 to 90 minutes and include Pure Relaxation Massage (“Be pampered and go to sleep.”), Relaxing Scalp & Foot Massage, Deep Tissue Massage (“Works deep into muscle tissue, involves stretching.”), Prenatal Massage (“For expectant mothers to relax muscle tension & sore areas.”), Relaxing Scalp & Foot Massage and something called Cranial Sacral (“A very light touch using gentle pressure to the head and lower back that works with the central nervous system to relieve compression and balance the body.”). 

There is also Manual Lymphatic Drainage, a 60-minute session described as “a gentle form of massage designed to increase the movement of the lymphatic system to reduce swelling from lymphedema. Also beneficial for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Post Surgery Swelling and Chronic Pain.” 

About this particular option, May said, “I don't think there's a whole lot of that offered in this area. And I went through the whole certification program, not just a little training here and a little training there. So I'm able to offer that. And that's an alternative to massage where a lot of people wouldn't really like the deep pressure massage deep tissue. And so this is a very light touch that promotes the circulation of the lymph system, which is very important, because that causes a lot of dysfunction when the system is not operating properly.” 

This particular kind of massage therapy has shown results in scientific study, such that WebMD recommends it to patients with each of the conditions May’s menu of services names and several more. The site also provides a list of other medical sources and supporting studies.  

Looking around the waiting room, the massage room and a lounge and party room, you find yourself impressed with the décor, which features abstract paintings and display objects that align into a desert house motif. You think of it as a refuge from a parching world outside. May said he did the design and chose all the items himself. 

May can be contacted at 1-870-331-0810.  You can also text him at that number. He serves his clients in Hope every day (except Saturdays when he is in Hot Springs) starting at 8:00 a.m. weekdays, and he sometimes finishes his day as late as 7:00 p.m. 

Because of it being holiday season, May made sure he showed us he has gift certificates. If you would like to gift massage to your loved one without wearing out your hands, you can pre-pay for a massage appointment to be set later and present the gift certificate any time. 

“The most important thing,” May said. “Is to be able to make a difference, put a smile on their face and relieve some of their stress and tension and pain.” What better gift could one give or receive in time to start the New Year?