Phil De Ricco
Licensed Massage Therapist

About Me

 

Through my hands, I share my knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, the skills I have developed, my energy, and my heart. I intend for you to have an exceptional experience with me and walk away feeling better and moving more easily.  

This is not a job for me; it is a calling. This is sacred work. 

I became licensed relatively late in life, but I know this is what I am meant to be doing. I am grateful to reduce and eliminate suffering, one individual at a time, on a daily basis. I am thankful I spend significant time one-on-one with each person I work with.  

I am a client-centered massage therapist. I offer safe, nonjudgmental, comfortable, and professional therapeutic massage. I am licensed and insured. Our session will always be "all about you."  I provide customized sessions tailored to You and Your Body.  

You are the most important person during the time we share. Everyone is an individual; I listen to you during the intake and customize the session to meet your needs. I will address your concerns, but I think outside the box. (There may not even be a box.) As we work together, I will change modalities and how I apply techniques, using what I think will most effectively treat the issue at the moment. 

I give an integrated massage using techniques I know that are appropriate for you and your body. I am kind, caring, skillful, and effective. My massage is deeply relaxing while I work to decrease pain, increase range of motion, increase ease of movement, and help facilitate injury recovery.   

I am passionate about being a good therapist and strive to consistently provide you with an exceptional client experience. My goal is to be a therapist who "helps to heal the world one person at a time.”  It is truly an honor and a privilege to share my work with each individual I serve.   

As I entered massage school, I was going to be giving the best relaxation massage ever. Relaxation is still essential, but when I found out I could help people in pain, that was huge!  Therapeutic Massage became my focus.  I have a particular interest in helping people recover from injury, illness, surgery, or even “I just woke up and can’t move my........!” If I am unfamiliar with your condition, I will research how to best help you and your body.   

I am a graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy.  I was awarded a Certificate of Academic Achievement for maintaining a 4.0 GPA in academic and hands-on classes.  In CT, I was an active volunteer with the CT Sports Massage Team, providing pre- and post-event massage at athletic events around the state.  I also volunteered with the Community Service Massage Team.  In addition to my private practice, I have also worked in chiropractic offices, spas, and multi-therapist massage offices and provided corporate chair massage.  

I came to Hawai’i for the first time ever in November 2018. A house-sitting gig had basically fallen into my lap. I was to be house-sitting in Hawai’i for six months, missing the winter in the Northeast – Yay! But, of course, the house-sitting gig fell through before I left Connecticut. I got on the plane because I had already purchased a one-way, non-refundable ticket. I was on an adventure, and very soon after getting off the plane, I began thinking: “I should move here.”  I eventually house-sat at a different house-sitting gig that had also fallen into my lap for the last two months of my stay.  That is known here as what is called Island Time. Things happen here when they happen. When I left at the end of 6 months, I was intent on moving here. It took me a couple of years to get rid of most of my stuff, and I was also delayed by recovering from two separate bicycle accidents (I’m ok!).  I moved here in September 2021 with a backpack, two suitcases, and my bicycle in a box.   

I am so grateful to live on this sacred land and spend significant one-on-one time with people, sharing my knowledge, skills, and energy. I like riding my bike through the jungle and then onto the road over the new (2018) lava—two very different environments, both incredibly magical in their own way. Snorkeling gives me a glimpse into another magical environment. I’m also learning to sail and Latin dance (not simultaneously).  

A favorite quote of mine:  

         We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  -  Winston Churchill  

Current State License:  

         HI Licensed Massage Therapist - HI MAT 15994  

Previous License:  

         CT Licensed Massage Therapist - CT LMT 8295    

Professional Organization Membership:  

         American Massage Therapy Association - AMTA Professional Member 1306810  

Massage, as I practice it, is not a luxury; it is an investment in your health and well-being.  

I will make you feel welcome, listen to you, work with you, and have you walk away feeling better.  

Pain is Inevitable.......Suffering is Optional!  

My goal is to reduce or eliminate your suffering.  

Call me for a free phone consultation. I look forward to hearing from you. 

The following photos are of me providing an Oceanside Massage Experience at a favorite secluded spot off the Jungle Road in Pahoa: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some earlier photos of me back on the mainland, doing volunteer work with the CT Sports Massage Team and providing chair massage: 

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