Old, towering trees rise into a canopy over the shallow creek and winding gravel road leading to the natural haven Patricia and Thomas Higgins have created.

Clients often come for services, but then stay and chat. They tell Patricia they love the relaxing scenery and especially her bird feeders.

Here, they feel at home.

“They really like being out here,” said Higgins, whose clients have told her they “start relaxing when they hit the driveway.”

She started a Touch of Country Therapeutic and Body Massage in 1996 after learning how massage can affect people.

“I was a stay-at-home mom,” said the mother of three. Higgins then worked with abused children for a year, what she calls a “high-stress job.” However, she learned that when developing the children’s trust, they liked to have their backs rubbed.

“There is no stress in my job,” she said. “I can still provide comfort. This job, also, you need to be a good listener.”

A nationally-certified massage therapist, Higgins attended the Minnesota School of Massage in the Twin Cities and then Sister Rosalind Schools & Clinics of Massage in Rochester. She has logged between 1,600 and 1,800 hours of schooling and continuing education.

Higgins offers a variety of services, but says clients can expect the “Patricia Higgins specialty,” a melding of skills she has obtained in her training.

In addition to half-hour, full-body and 90-minute massages, Higgins offers foot reflexology, lymphatic massage, hot stone massage, rejuvenating facelift massage, ear candling and Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction that promotes healing.

She also offers Lomilomi massage, a native Hawaiian technique using rubbing, kneading, pounding, pressing, vibrating and deep pressure-point compression. According to Higgins, Lomilomi improves blood circulation, healthy muscles and stimulates the lymphatic system and heightens metabolism.

Higgins recommends getting a massage every two to four weeks; however, everyone needs massages for different reasons, she said.

Higgins and her daughter, Angela, also sell handcrafted jewelry. She is hosting her annual craft sale with several other vendors Saturday, May 16 at her home.

A Touch of Country is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday with occasional Saturday mornings. Higgins said she is flexible with appointments. Gift certificates are available.

For more information, call 433-9122. A Touch of Country is located at 17851 540th Ave., three miles south of Austin.