Born on the Fourth: A Family Legacy of Service and Our New Military Discount
Licensed massage therapist Alma Henriques shares a Fourth of July family story and announces a 10% military discount for veterans and active duty at her Gilbert, AZ clinic.
Independence Day has always been my favorite holiday. The fireworks, the family, the friends, the love of country — it's a day that asks all of us to stop and feel grateful. For me, there's an extra reason to celebrate: July 4th is also my birthday.
That's right — Alma Irene Henriques was born on the Fourth of July. I'm named after my great-uncle, Ira 'Ike' Schab, who was born on that same date. Uncle Ira was a sailor in the U.S. Navy and one of the men who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. He went on to live a remarkable 105 years before passing earlier this spring.
Side note: not many people know this, but I almost joined the Navy myself. I had a job lined up in aviation electronics, but my own medical history kept me from serving. Massage therapy became my way of serving differently — with my hands instead of in uniform.
What Veterans' Bodies Teach Me
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on a number of retired military clients here at the clinic. Every session teaches me something — sometimes through the stories my clients share on the table, and sometimes through what their bodies tell me before they ever say a word.
Years of carrying gear, sleeping in vehicles, recovering from old injuries, and pushing through pain because the mission came first — it all leaves a signature in the tissue. I see it in restricted shoulders that never quite finished healing, in lower backs that compensated for old combat-boot decades, in nervous systems that learned to stay on alert long after the uniform came off.
This is exactly why I run Be Well, Dragonfly the way I do — as a clinical practice, not a spa. Every client gets a real intake, a hands-on assessment, and a SOAP note charted after every visit, episodic or routine. With veteran clients especially, that rigor matters. Their medical histories are often layered and their pain rarely has one simple cause. Careful documentation lets me build a treatment plan — combining deep tissue massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and cupping — that actually tracks progress over time instead of just chasing the symptom of the week.
It's humbling work. It also reminds me, every single time, how grateful I am for the men and women who serve.
Introducing Our Military Discount
So this Independence Day, I wanted to do more than say thank you — I wanted to make it official.
Starting now, Be Well, Dragonfly is offering a 10% Military Discount.
- Who qualifies: Active duty, veterans, and retired military
- What you need: Simply show a valid Military ID at your first session
- How long it lasts: The discount applies to your ongoing care with us, not just a one-time visit
You gave your service to this country. The least I can do is give a little of mine back.
Book your appointment and mention the Military Discount when you arrive, or give us a call at (602) 341-3279 with any questions before you book.
A Few Common Questions
Does the discount apply to all services? Yes — it applies across our therapeutic offerings, including deep tissue, sports recovery, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and add-ons like cupping or Gua Sha.
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis to start? No referral is required. Many veteran clients come to us for chronic pain, old injury recovery, or simply to manage stress on a regular basis. We'll start with a thorough intake and build a plan from there.
Can my spouse or family member use the discount too? The discount is intended for the military ID holder. If you're a military family looking for ongoing care for multiple members, ask us about routine scheduling — we're happy to work out a plan that fits your household.
Why This Matters to Me
Be Well, Dragonfly has grown almost entirely through referrals — one client telling another, one family bringing in the next. That kind of trust isn't something you market into existence; it's something you earn one session, one SOAP note, one consistent result at a time.
Honoring the people who served felt like an obvious next step for a practice built on that same idea: showing up, doing the work, and taking care of people the right way.
So happy Independence Day, happy birthday to me, and — most of all — thank you to every veteran and active-duty service member who makes the holiday possible in the first place.
❤️🤍💙