_edited.png)
Meet Michelle . . .
Michelle Ebbin is a leading expert in touch therapy and natural wellness, dedicated to helping people live healthier, more balanced lives through the power of healing touch. She founded Basic Knead in 1994 and has since become a trusted voice in holistic health, advocating for the physical and emotional benefits of mindful touch.
A frequent guest on tv shows such as LIVE with Kelly and Mark, The View, and The Dr. Oz Show, Michelle shares practical tools and insights on stress relief, relaxation, and overall well-being. She is the author of four books, creator of award-winning DVDs, and served as a spokesperson for SOOTHE, reaching audiences worldwide with her message of accessible, everyday wellness.
​
Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University and advanced training in all touch therapy modalities. Her passion extends to philanthropy through her work with City of Hope, where she helped develop massage programs for patients and healthcare professionals—bringing comfort and connection to those in need.
​​
With decades of experience, media recognition, and a heartfelt mission to make wellness a way of life, Michelle continues to inspire others to embrace the healing power of touch.
Q&A
HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN MASSAGE AND WELLNESS?
As a dancer, I was always looking for ways to keep my body strong. A college acupressure workshop and a healing massage after a video-shoot injury opened my eyes to the power of touch. I dove into massage therapy—learning Acupressure, Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Infant Massage, and much more. I became a full-on massage geek.
HOW DID YOU START YOUR COMPANY?
I founded Basic Knead as a Los Angeles massage practice serving private clients, studios, and companies. Years later, it evolved when I began creating products to help people learn massage. I had no real business plan—just a sketch of foot reflexology points and a friend with a sock company. I printed the design on socks and shared a few pairs with clients. Weeks later, an editor at InStyle reached out wanting to feature my Reflexology Sox. Soon InStyle, Time, The New York Times, and others ran stories. With a national sales rep, I sold over 20,000 pairs in the first year.
HOW DID YOU START WRITING BOOKS AND CREATING MASSAGE VIDEOS?
After the success of my Reflexology Sox, everything started to fall into place. I had been modeling for Living Arts (now Gaiam), and when they expanded from yoga videos into massage content, they invited me to create and host a series on reflexology, acupressure, baby massage, pregnancy massage, partner massage, and therapeutic touch. Around the same time, a New York literary agent suggested I write an instructional book inspired by the Sox. Within a few months, I had a proposal—and suddenly, I was writing a book.