I truly believe that the body is capable of so many wonderful things. I know this to be true personally as well as professionally. We all come equipped with these self-healing capabilities.  It is my pleasure and goal to help you and your body unlock those things that are blocking you and get you back to where you feel great in your body and like you want to tackle the world. 

A Little Background on me 

I received my AAS Degree in Automotive Body Repair in 2000. I worked on everything of many different vehicles except inside the engine. I restored them to "pre-accident condition" after an automobile accident in most cases. This is where I feel that my hands have been "trained" to do this kind of work. They are very sensitive and I developed a strong grip from it as a bonus. I can feel things differently now, but my mind still has it. 

I also helped take care of my grandpa a few years after that. My grandpa wanted to stay on the farm but needed full-time care as well. It was here that I learned compassion for other human beings. I would drive him to the VA for his doctor appointments and back. I would also help him walk with his walker or do his physical therapy since he needed some help after the two strokes took away his mobility. He mentioned to me one day, "you should be a nurse". I laughed it off then, but I look back now and see how relevant that time was and just how right he was too. 

Here is how I combine all of it. 

Years ago, I injured myself doing a routine job at work.  It wasn't anything out of the norm, but I had aggravated a nerve in my neck/shoulder area that I pinched several years before doing an odd job.  I went to the chiropractor to get adjusted and fixed.  He also referred me to a Massage Therapist to help keep the adjustment.  That is when my life changed.  I saw how with just her hands, skills and knowledge, she was able to help restore feeling and function to my neck and arm.  I was so impressed, it motivated me to change careers and become a Massage Therapist! 

I graduated from Minnesota School of Business with my diploma in massage therapy in 2011. I then went on to become Nationally Certified in 2012.  In 2014, I received certification in John Barnes Level 1 Myofascial Release.  I also got attuned in Reiki Level 2 in that same year. Since then, I have retaken the MFR1 course this last June 2019 and I am planning on retaking and attaining my BCTMB (Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) title again. 

My specialty is trigger point therapy with deep tissue massage.  Although I am reluctant to label my massage, it is best described as an integrative massage.  I use a combination of deep tissue, myofascial release (MFR), maybe some energy work, and stretching in most of my sessions.  I am not afraid to use whatever I feel will help you at that time.  No two massages will be the same by me.  Your body is different every day and has different needs every time you come in for a session and I respect that. It is also why I will recommend that you come back. I feel that one massage is no fix and that it is only a bandaid to what the real problem may be. I love figuring that out with you so that we can figure out a plan to help you manage it, work on it with homework, and be on a maintenance schedule instead of in crisis mode. 

My Gift 

The secret in my massage is that I can truly understand your pain. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in May 2012. That is correct. 6 months after graduating from massage school, I was hit with my autoimmune disease diagnosis. I try to approach it as if it has changed my life for the better. I don't look at it as a curse. Instead, I see it as a blessing. I have learned to deal with my symptoms in the best ways that work for me. I do, however, get flare-ups from time to time. This will put me down and out for a short period. But, when I'm back, I'm available to contribute the most and the best for you. For this reason, I am only able to provide limited hours of operation and I may have to reschedule with you if we have existing appointments set up and one of these unfortunate flare-ups happen. It's my personal goal to not let that happen. 

I believe in alternative ways of dealing with my MS such as a healthy diet, yoga, massage, MFR, energy work, and most importantly self-care. I am also doing a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) with the treatments I get. While I do everything I can, the MS ultimately has control and is unpredictable. 

In My Free Time

I enjoy working on things around the house like building a deck or patio, raised garden beds, or things like mowing the lawn and caring for it. I practice yoga when I can. Some days and weeks are better than others. I believe it to be like my physical therapy so I try to incorporate it often. You can find me in the gym lifting weights weekly.  I also run 5K's regularly and enjoy going on bike rides with my daughter when the weather is nice.  Golfing is another sport that I enjoy playing.  Being out in nature and working on my putting game are two great reasons I look forward to hitting the greens.