What You Already Know: The Benefits of Massage

What You Already Know: The Benefits of Massage
In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or bodywork treatments? 

- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. 

- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer. 

- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin. 

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping

- Increases joint flexibility. 

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

- Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain. 

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred. 

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays.

Emilio Rivera & Scott Wilker

OWNER/Stylists

Emilio Rivera

Scott Wilker

Emilio Rivera and Scott Wilker brought their professional lives together and became the duo of “Salon Duo”. This location has been open since February 2001, but the two have been working together since 1992.

Wilker, an Aveda Institute graduate with a background in fashion, developed a strong following at the very regimented Michael Thomas and at Blair Gordon Salon. He emphasizes precision cutting and exquisite blowout/styling.

“The boys” then moved along with their growing clientele to Timothy Paul where they ran a salon within a salon and dreamt of bigger things to come. In June of 2001 their dream was realized in the opening of Salon Duo!

Between the two, all of Chicago’s social scene have relaxed in their chairs for years and continue to do so because of the high level of hairdressing consistently offered them. Emilio and Scott have taken care of members of the news media, local celebrities and high profile personalities. Their clients are often seen in Chicago Social, Town and Country and they were stylists for Channel 7 Monday Makeovers. All in all, it is always about beautiful hair!

STYLISTS

Roberta Bazianos
As senior stylist and color export, Roberta has been with Salon Duo since the doors opened. Personally having the luxury of being trained by Emilio and Scott 15 years ago. Being taken under their wing at Blair Gordon, Roberta has developed a successful and loyal clientele that has been with her since the beginning. From formulating color to a perfect cut Roberta believes in taking care of her clients from start to finish.

It's not just what's the latest trends, but what fits you and your personality. Roberta's passion for hair has shown through her dedication to her career with her drive to stay atop of the industry.

Leticia DeGrazia

A trained professional, Leticia focuses on precision cuts. She understands balance and proportion, removing excess bulk when needed and leaving length where appropriate. Leticia has trained under some of Chicago’s most prestigious hairdressers such as Marianne Strokirk and Charles Johnson. She is a focused cutter who finishes hair with a gorgeous flair. She is also a special event stylist of recognition and has been with Salon Duo since 2006.

Marlena Korpic
After having emigrated here from her native Poland, Marlena joined Salon Duo as Emilio’s assistant, training in both cutting and coloring. She has blossomed into quite a stylist who is adept at working with all hair types. She has gained an influential clientele who return for her consistently precise and ingenious color formulations, expert cuts as well as perfected blowouts.

Angela Petersen

After assisting Emilio and Scott, Angela turned her focus to cutting and coloring her own clientele. With an emphasis on long hair, Angela highlights and colors to enhance her long layering technique. She delivers when it is time for an evening blowout that has to be perfect and has also made a name for herself with such clients as Roger Daltry of The Who while in Chicago.

Shane Talbott

For over 15 years, Shane Talbott built his reputation as one of Chicago's premier specialized colorists. Shane's expertise and talent have garnered him a broad clientele, including Oprah Winfrey as well as other celebrities and influential taste-leaders. He has appeared on the Oprah show on five occasions, and continues to provide color services for the Oprah Show on a regular basis. Following another passion, Shane has also created Talbott Teas, a luxury collection of gourmet teas to compliment the salon and spa experience.

Ryan Martir

Ryan has been with Salon Duo since 2006. First as an assistant to the Salon Duo staff, he polished his cutting and coloring skills. Now, as a full time stylist, he combines great style with beautiful finishing to keep his clients coming back for more.

MANICURISTS

Bernadette Mielecka
Originally from Poland, Bernadette has never lost her European eye for beauty and style. She applies this trained eye to her 7 years of finely tuned manicures and pedicures. She will pick the perfect red for your skin tone or best pale hue for that French manicure. She also worked with Joanna at Spa Emilia years ago and found her true home at Salon Duo in 2002 and has been here ever since.

MAKEUP ARTIST

Rosie Scianna (Website)
The best makeup artist in the city, Rosie takes full advantage of all of the techniques she has learned since becoming a professional makeup artist in 1995. She started out working with counter lines and then became a top artist for MAC on Oak Street. Tired of the corporate makeup arena, Rosie decided to branch out on her own, find an organic, mineral line to work with and a salon that upholds the standards she believes in... Salon Duo is that place. She is available for makeup applications and lessons. She also does temporary lash applications and is an expert on the Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Line as well as many other lines that she has used in the past. She is also co-owner of RBombshellBeauty, Inc., an on-site, special event hair and makeup team. She has participated in a Vera Wang Bridal Fashion Show, Glamarama, TLC – A Makeover Story, Channel 7 News Monday Makeovers and did makeup for celebrity chef Nigella Lawson as well as Luther Vandross, Dana Buchman and Rain Pryor. She has also been published in Cut and Color Magazine.

AESTHETICIANS/MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Regina McKinney
For those who appreciate a more holistic approach to aesthetics, Regina combines her 18 years experience as an aesthetician, a reiki master and clinical massage therapist to treat the mind, body and spirit. She joined Salon Duo in 2003. Her approach to skin care is results driven focusing on decongested, healthy skin as the result. She is a truly gifted person with a caring attitude.

Amanda Feest

Amanda is from milwaukee and graduated from the Laser National Institute in Arizona.

Victoria Savanovitch

Victoria came from Europe in 1993. She has been working with hair for over 20yrs. She specializes in kaleidoscope color and precise cuts.

 

RECEPTION

Kelli Battaglia
Salon Manager and Receptionist. Kelli has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to Salon Duo. She started out assisting the team consisting of Emilio, Scott and her sister Roberta in 1996. She grew into one great receptionist and eventually salon manager. She handles it all with patience and a smile.

Chris Schumacher
Chris is a welcome addition to the Salon Duo family as receptionist. With over 20 years experience in the customer service industry, she adroitly handles scheduling appointments, incoming phone calls and helps clients with all concerns.

ASSISTANT TEAM

The Salon Duo Assistant Team is a part of our family. Lisa, Maria, and Marisol keep the salon immaculate as well as keeping the clients happy offering beverages and cookies and giving mini scalp massages during shampoo and conditioning treatments.