Why I Love Being a Massage Therapist & Doula

Well, I haven’t posted in a while and it’s because I have had a decidedly wonderfully busy couple of months.

I started my career in massage therapy 6 years ago this month.  When I went to massage school my reasons were varied.  I had been a SAHM for my 2 boys who were both in elementary school, my husband had worked for FoMoCo for several years and, since we both were 3rd and 2nd generation Ford families, we could see that something big was about to happen in the auto industry, and I needed to fulfill a need to follow my dream of nourishing and helping others.   I had looked into massage therapy school after my second son was born, but it just didn’t feel right because my boys were so little and I wanted to devote 100% of my energy to being there for them.  In 2003, it just seemed like everything had fallen into place for me to start pursuing my dreams.

By March 2004, I was ready to start my business.  I was at the point in my training where I was able to work on the public, both in our student clinic and privately.  I already had my target market…I was going to focus on the women in my community, with a special interest in those suffering chronic pain and those who are pregnant.  As I continued my schooling, I started to feel a very strong pull to understand how I could take my love of massage and its benefits into the labor and delivery room for my clients.

I graduated in September 2004 from one of the best massage therapy schools in Michigan and started to sublease a space from another therapist.  I found that my business grew steadily and word began to quickly spread through the community that I was eagerly accepting new clients.  I became Nationally Certified with NCBTMB in January 2005 and a Certified Prenatal Massage therapist in September 2006 and a Certified Massage Doula in February 2007.  I got my own space to work in 2006.

In my career, I have had the amazing honor of being invited to join my clients as they journey to better health and wellness.  I have been at the births of 17 babies and look forward to the 6 that will be coming over the next several months.  My hands have touched women who could barely tolerate the weight of their clothing due to Fibromyalgia or Chronic Myofascial Pain and I have seen the joy and wonder of women who have seen a significant reduction in their arthritis pain and an increase in their ability to move with less pain.  With all of this, I have been blessed to still be able to take my kids to school everyday and be with them every evening.

I love my job because I never stop learning and it allows me to be the mom my kids deserve.  I love my job because it allows me to see the power of women and the joy of birth.  I love my job because through it I have met some of the most amazing women in my community.  I love my job because I can’t imagine doing anything else!