The Website you are trying to reach is temporarily unavailable.
If you are the owner of this Website, please log in for additional information or contact us as soon as possible.
My Start
Many people ask when I knew I wanted to be a massage therapist. I always laugh and say I don't really know! My first memory of having an interest in massage was when I was very young– 10 or so– when I was in a summer gymnastics camp between 4th and 5th grade. I had a camp counselor by the name of Amy who was about 16 and my idol.
One day she asked me if I could rub her shoulders and since I adored her, I excitedly said yes as I sprang up from my chair. Of course I had no real idea what I was doing, but I distinctly remember her saying “Wow! That feels really good!” Her reaction made me feel so happy and I believe that was the seed that planted my passion for massage.
As I got older, I wanted to be many things when I grew up: a marriage counselor, a wedding planner. While working on my school newspaper I convinced myself that I was going to be the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Tribune! But when I realized my friends would eagerly sit next to me because I would start massaging their feet, hands or neck, it became apparent to me that there was really something to this whole “massage” thing.
By my junior year in High School, I had decided I was going to National University of Health Sciences, in Lombard, Illinois. I started in September of 2008 and graduated in December of 2009 with over 800 hours of education and elective classes. I had also practiced on dozens of people before graduating to get as much hands-on experience as I could before working my first massage job.
My Experience
I started as an LMT in a Healthsource office, a chiropractic franchise, where I worked with a team of healthcare practitioners. I became a Certified Injury Prevention Instructor (CIPI) and trained other massage therapists to work in a way that reduced their risk of injury and burnout. After moving to a different town, I worked in a private Chiropractic practice until I moved to Florida in March of 2012.
Starting out in the Sunshine state, I worked with two Chiropractors until I decided I wanted a change of pace and began doing Chair massage at the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. After working a rough few months during the graveyard shift (I really enjoy sleeping at night!), I moved on to working at Tampa Bay Downs continuing with Chair Massage.
While working at the Downs, I decided I wanted to get back to working in the chiropractic setting and started working at Bode Chiropractic one day a week. When the other massage therapist there decided on a career change, I was offered the full-time position and said goodbye to Tampa Bay Downs after 2 and half years!
I have now been with Bode Chiropractic for over 4 years and recently have started doing private session on my own. I love the balance of working in a fast-paced, busy Dr’s office and working by myself. It’s the best of both worlds!
I have taken continuing ed classes in Active Isolated Stretching, Medical Massage, Swe-Thai Massage and am currently learning Traditional Thai Massage. I make it point to keep learning new techniques to keep my skill-set ever-expanding and fresh. Plus, it keeps it interesting for me and ensures that I don't get bored!