Middleburg Massage Therapist Brian Courtney Brings His Healing Touch to Goodstone Inn

Written by Shayda Windle | Photo by Michael Butcher

For more than two decades, massage therapist Brian Courtney has built a reputation for intuitive therapeutic bodywork, rooted in equal parts mastery, empathy, and a genuine calling to help people feel whole. His journey began in Charlottesville, where he grew up and first trained as a massage therapist. Even early on, clients noticed something different about his approach: a natural ability to understand the body, read tension, and deliver precisely what a person needed, often before they knew how to ask for it.

In 2013, Courtney was invited to help open the massage program at Salamander Resort & Spa. As one of the lead massage therapists, he played a key role in shaping the property’s now-renowned wellness offerings. Over the next 10 years, his skill and presence would become part of what made Salamander’s spa exceptional.

His client list, including Salamander founder Sheila Johnson and former First Lady Michelle Obama, speaks to the excellence of his work. So do the features in The Washington Post, DC Magazine, and Vogue, where his technique has been described with admiration usually reserved for artists. Those who have worked with him know why: Courtney combines technical expertise with a grounded, compassionate presence that puts clients at ease the moment they walk in.

By 2024, after a decade of success, he felt it was time for something new. With confidence in his craft and encouragement from longtime clients, he opened Brian’s Body Work at 107 W. Federal Street in Middleburg. The space reflects him perfectly: calm, welcoming, and intentionally designed to be a retreat from the demands of everyday life.

A lifelong equestrian and horse trainer, Courtney also brings a unique understanding of the physical demands placed on riders. “Hikers, bikers, equestrians — anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors — needs muscle rehabilitation,” he explains. “Massage therapy removes lactic acid, increases blood flow to support healing, and lowers blood pressure. It helps in so many ways.” His personal experience working with horses gives him an intuitive sense of balance, alignment, and muscular strain that riders find invaluable.

Soon after opening his practice, Courtney was approached by Goodstone Inn to help relaunch its spa program. The spa, housed in a thoughtfully renovated stable, offers an intimate and rustic atmosphere very different from traditional resort settings. Courtney describes it as “warm, grounding, and restorative,” the ideal environment for the bespoke treatments he is known for. Each appointment is crafted around the individual, never rushed, and always tailored to the body in front of him.

As he reflects on the year ahead, Courtney shares a simple truth: “We’re all stressed out. Look at the world we’re living in. Massage therapy requires skill, but for some of us, it’s also a calling. I try to give every client the massage I would want. Everyone’s body is different. Everyone needs something different.”

Many of those needs center around the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips, which are areas Courtney specializes in. “Tech neck is a big one,” he notes with a smile. “I see plenty of those.”

For Middleburg residents and visitors alike, Courtney brings not just relief but restoration — a blend of experience, intuition, and a healing touch that’s rare to find. ML

To book a session with Courtney at Goodstone Spa, visit goodstone.com/spa.

Published in the January 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.