I am fully licensed by the State of Michigan in Massage Therapy and am a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) organization (ABMP). I practice mainly deep tissue massage therapy in Ann Arbor and I also perform relaxation massages. I graduated in 2010 from the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy (AAIMT)--one of the top five massage schools in the country--with 750 credit hours. I'm certified by AAIMT in Myofascial Therapy and Neuromuscular Massage Therapy.
I graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with a B.A. in Communications and again in 1996 with a M.A. in Advertising. I spent 11 years in advertising copy writing for various companies and doing some freelance before transitioning to Massage Therapy. I've been living in Ann Arbor, Michigan since 2002. I have also studied traditional martial arts (Shorin-ryu and Shudokan Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and Iaido) for many years.
How I Got Started
How did I get involved in massage therapy? I have Scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine, and have implanted metal rods to correct some of the curvature and support my spine. I receive monthly adjustments from my orthopedist, Dr. Jay Sandweiss as well as monthly massage therapy treatments to treat my unique physiology and compensatory issues related to my Scoliosis and other physical habits.
I've always had an interest in massage. I began as a young girl, giving massages to my father, after his long days as a medical doctor performing rounds through 3 or 4 hospitals in Detroit. Though untrained at the time, he would ask me and no one else to work on him. As an adult, working in advertising, I became weary of the corporate culture and soon realized how great it would be to have a job where people are excited to see me and feel great when they leave!
So, in 2009, I attended the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy (AAIMT), one of the top massage schools in the country. There, I finished a year-long, intensive program of 750 credit hours, focusing heavily on human anatomy and physiology, the specifics of muscle function, physiology and kinesiology, deep tissue and relaxation massage practical techniques, and several hours of clinical practice. I started my massage therapy business in 2010, working part-time with my home clients and part-time with a skilled chiropractor. In 2015, I left the chiropractor's office and expanded my private practice full-time and have been happily working with my clients to assess and treat their massage therapy needs.