About Apex Retreat
Therapeutic massage, holistic bodywork, restorative wellness, and education-focused care designed to help you feel better, move easier, and support long-term well-being.
Rooted in Whole-Body Wellness
Blending therapeutic bodywork, restorative care, and mindful movement to support natural healing and lasting balance
Who We Are
A Holistic Retreat for Healing, Restoration, and Whole-Body Wellness
Apex Retreat provides therapeutic massage, holistic bodywork, restorative care, and wellness support for clients in Apex, NC and the surrounding community.
Our approach is rooted in helping each person feel more supported in their body. Whether you are seeking pain relief, improved mobility, stress reduction, facial rejuvenation, movement support, or ongoing wellness care, our team brings together a variety of therapeutic and holistic modalities to meet your needs.
Every session is catered to the individual, allowing your therapist to adjust the care experience based on your goals, comfort level, and what your body needs that day.
100+
Wellness Clients
11+
Therapeutic & Holistic Specialties
4.9
Average Rating
Meet The Team
Choose the Therapist That Best Fits Your Wellness Goals
Each therapist brings a different background, specialty focus, and approach to care. Choose the provider whose experience best fits your needs, then use their booking link or contact information to schedule directly.
Fernanda Santiago
CO-FOUNDER, CERTIFIED AROMATHERAPIST - Aromatic Medicine, LMBT
NCLic # 09509
**Fernanda is not currently accepting new appointments.
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Born in the Island of Puerto Rico, Fernanda Santiago has always had a passion for wellness and helping people get healthy.
Her great grandmother was a midwife, herbalist and considered by many to be an expert in the use of natural healing compounds. This knowledge of herbal medicine and natural healing has been passed down for generations. Fernanda was introduced to Aromatic Botanical Medicine early in her career and has specialized in Aromatherapy for 16 years.
She has also trained in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and mentored by Acupuncture Physicians, and Botanists, gaining hands on experience. She has studied with both Floracopeia and The School of Aromatic Studies.
She loves gardening, the outdoors and creating custom formulations for her clients. She has a private practice in Apex, NC named Healing Feels Good®. Here she provides consultations, Aromatherapy treatments & formulations as well as bodywork sessions such as Reflexology, Thai Massage and Thai Herbal Poultice treatments.
She is the founder of Apex Retreat Seminars, a nationally approved continuing education school for massage therapist and is a Level 2 NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist.
She loves to share her knowledge and passion for helping others using traditional methods of healing.
Rapeewan Kannawat (Gail)
LMBT
Best for clients seeking:
Thai massage, deep therapeutic work, and whole-body relaxation.
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Gail was born and raised in Thailand, she has a thriving interest in helping people reach their health and healing goals. Using a holistic approach to her work.
Gail went to the healing arts and massage school in Raleigh where she completed her massage training therapy program. She became a Board certified massage therapist in 2018.
She specializes in Thai Massage, Ashiatsu (barefoot massage), Swedish, Deep tissue and Lymphatic massage. She is a highly skilled, sought-after instructor for Apex Retreat Seminars. Gail’s extensive knowledge and genuine enthusiasm make her a valuable asset to our program and a source of inspiration for all who work with her.
Lijing Liu
LMBT
NCLic # 19742
Best for clients seeking:
Pain relief, relaxation, clinical-style bodywork, sports recovery, and a blend of Eastern and Western massage techniques.
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I love to work with all types of different people. I provide eastern clinical massage combined with western massage for clients who are suffering pain.
My favorite massage techniques include, but are not limited to Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, hot stone massage, Thai massage, reflexology, lymphatic massage, and acupoint massage.
My goal is to help promote the QOL (quality of life) of the individual client. I look forward to helping the clients get what they need to feel better and relax.
Dean Hebert
LMBT, Advanced Thai Massage Practitioner, Educator
NCLic # 10820
Best for clients seeking:
Mobility support, Thai massage, deep tissue work, and bodywork focused on helping the body move and function better.
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“The body knows what to do, you just need to let it.”
Dean has a versatile portfolio of a hard working man. He discovered his true calling in the wellness field. Dean has been a practicing LMBT for over 6 years and is one of the most sought after Massage Therapists in well known Spas in the Triangle Area. Dean’s specialty and focus is on helping the body function and mobilize better to achieve optimal health.
He specializes in Myofacial Release, Joint Mobilization, Thai Massage, and Deep Tissue work. He believes in teaching his clients how to live a healthier lifestyle overall. He is a continuing education instructor for Apex Retreat Seminars and co-founder for apex retreat.
Hilda
Therapy Dog, Certified for Emotional Support
Meet Hilda, our newest therapist at Apex Retreat. She just joined us in July of 2023 and fit right in! You might hear her little feet pitter patter around the hallway at retreat. If she greets you at the door, do not be afraid, she just wants to welcome you and say 'Hello!' This is one of her roles at Apex Retreat. As a very whimsical emotional support animal she loves to make people feel calm and at ease before their sessions. She might even escort you to the treatment room! She loves chin scratches and stays with her handler, Fernanda during treatment sessions.
Disclaimer
Massage therapists that are members of Respect Massage hold themselves to the highest standards of ethical, boundary-driven practice. Respect Massage members have a zero-tolerance policy for solicitations of any kind. Jokes, innuendo, and inappropriate requests are taken seriously and will result in the swift termination of the session. When choosing a practice displaying the Respect Massage logo, you can have confidence in the safety and professionalism you will experience as a client.
Testimonials
Hear from Our Happy Clients
See how clients describe their experience with our natural wellness care, calming therapies, and supportive guidance.
Sue O.
I’ve been seeing Lia For massages Biweekly massages for about two months now and I Highly recommend her! She’s done so much to help me with my pain throughout my body, and improved my overall health! I have had many many massages for the past 20 plus years, and I can honestly say that Lia is the best in the business! She puts 110% in every time and she’s just amazing at what she does, and I’ll never go anywhere else!
Michelle D.
I’ve been going to Fernanda at Apex Retreat for 15 years and she never disappoints me. I love that she Taylor’s my appointments to my needs. She truly cares about me as an individual and it’s obvious she has a passion for her work. I also love that she gives me “homework” AKA Stretches between visits so that I can feel my best. Her professionalism, passion for her work, reliability and ambience, are all five stars. I highly recommend All of the therapists at Apex Retreat.
Maria R.
My massage therapist, Gail, was phenomenal. She used different methods to easy muscle tension and joint pain and the result was amazing, I feel renewed. Perfect pressure, loved the eucalyptus smell during the massage and the scrub she used on my back and feet after my massage; best 90 mins massage of my life. Highly recommend her.
Client Resources
Find helpful information for booking, preparing for your visit, using benefits, reviewing policies, and exploring education or events at Apex Retreat.
Learn how HSA or FLEX benefits may be used for eligible therapeutic massage services.
Review our appointment cancellation, rescheduling, and no-show guidelines before booking.
Download and complete your intake form before your first appointment to help your therapist better understand your needs.
Explore Apex Retreat Seminars and continuing education opportunities for massage therapists and wellness professionals.
Events
View upcoming classes, wellness events, and community learning opportunities at Apex Retreat.