Active-duty military members and their spouses can receive a free one-hour therapeutic massage session at all Puget Sound area Massage Envy locations on Monday, July 23.

The Massage Envy in Kirkland is located at 11620 97th Lane Northeast. For information, call (425) 284-4284.

The event marks the second annual “Massage for the Military Day” created by the local Massage Envy clinics, in partnership with the USO Puget Sound Area, as a way to both honor local heroes and their families, as well as provide beneficial stress relief through massage.

“Last year’s Massage for the Military Day was very popular, and we know it means a lot to our local service members and their spouses,” said Don Leingang, USO Puget Sound Area Executive Director and CDR USN (Ret.). “We are glad to again be partnering with Massage Envy to bring this unique program to the Northwest.”

Throughout the day, the 21 Puget Sound area Massage Envy locations will provide an estimated 1,000 free one-hour massage sessions. Participants are encouraged to book early and reserve their spot by contacting the participating Massage Envy location nearest them; a list of area clinics and their individual contact information is available at www.massageenvy.com.

“As military personnel and their families are often under tremendous stress, we not only want to say thank you, but hopefully give our troops a truly meaningful gift in the best way we know how – through our healing hands,” said Barney Nelson, regional director for Massage Envy in Washington state. “Regular massage has been linked to stress reduction as well as many other health benefits including lower blood pressure, improved sleep and relaxation.”

Therapeutic massage has risen in popularity in recent years as more consumers take advantage of it to aid with a variety of health issues, including stress reduction, headache relief and chronic pain management. In fact, the Puget Sound area Massage Envy locations are regularly seeking massage therapists in order to keep up with local demand.

The Massage for the Military offer is available at all Puget Sound area Massage Envy locations including: Bellevue; Bellingham; Bonney Lake; Capitol Hill; Covington; Everett; Federal Way; Gig Harbor; Issaquah; Kirkland; Mill Creek; Newcastle; Northgate; Olympia; Puyallup; Redmond; Renton Landing; Shoreline; Silverdale; Tacoma and Woodinville. Military IDs will be required at check-in.