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#Testimonial Tuesday: Massage Therapy- The Missing Puzzle Piece (Ep. 4)

A rollercoaster on a blue sky background. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.
Life can be a rollercoaster – learn to mitigate the stress with the flexibility that Massage Therapy career training can provide

Discover Jennifer’s Story of How She Overcame Injury and Stress With Massage Therapy Treatments

Life is life. Often a roller coaster. Up and down and up and down we go. There are so many things in this life that we have no control over. So many unexpected things that come our way often leaving us with a feeling of being knocked down. Even if we are feeling great and everything seems to be going our way and life seems “perfect”… BAM! Something unexpected happens and there it is, life has thrown you a curveball and it is your choice how to react. 

There are so many different types of people in this world. Some may be categorized as proactive and others may be categorized as reactive, but at the end of the day, we may not be able to control everything that happens day to day. However, the one thing we can control is how we will handle it. 

Massage Therapy, believe it or not, can be the missing puzzle piece for many people including myself. It can be the answer and/or solution to many of the things that “knock us down”. Whether it is an injury that leaves us feeling debilitated and weak, the breaking point where we feel like we have reached the edge of all we can handle and the stress has seemed to consume us, a change in finances that leaves us scared of how we will survive or just an overall feeling of “I need more in my life”, massage therapy can be the answer.

A massage therapist adjusting someone's head and posture. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.

As a dancer and cheerleader throughout my childhood, I graduated high school and moved on into the adult world with a broken back. Well, not technically broken, but a herniated disk can often make you feel that way. My doctors had given me the choice way back then to either stop cheerleading or have back surgery. I slightly laughed at the choice and answered that cheerleading was not going to be my career, so I would put an end to that and avoid the surgery. Well, many years later (let’s just leave how many years ago I graduated from high school as “many”) I often wish I had chosen the surgery.

Having a herniated disk, it is almost like walking on thin ice all the time never knowing when it will crack. As an athlete and healthy person (well most of the time) I have always been active and have always refused to give that up, so massage therapy has been my answer. I get massages both on a regular basis to reduce the chance of injury as well as reactively to injuries that come and go with the same back problem. Either way, I would not be able to be a #fitmom of twin toddlers if I didn’t use massage as literally a therapy for my back. 

Now, being a mom of twin toddlers brings me to my next point. Stress. We all have to learn how to manage our stress. It can pay a toll on our bodies, minds and even relationships. My daughter and son will be turning 2 in March and, let me tell you, we would not have made it this far if it were not for my hero, my savior, one of my favorite people in the world….my massage therapist! I mentioned above that some people are proactive, and some people are reactive. I am a procrastinator, so therefore I suppose will classify myself as reactive.

Over these past two years, I have learned to listen to my body and my mind. I am learning to read the signs better and better to avoid reaching “the edge”; the point of totally being stressed out. The breaking point. I schedule myself massages on a regular calendar basis to manage my stress. However, I often go in between as well when I feel like my body and mind NEED the relief. My husband is totally on board as that one simple hour of therapy can do so much and, as he often says, sends me home as a nicer person! Ha! 

A woman receiving a facial massage with hands on her face. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.

My husband works so hard and does everything he can to support our family. But, talk about life throwing you a curveball, seriously, two babies at once!? Surprise!! We found out on a Thursday we were expecting twins and I was on the phone with a realtor Friday morning to put our house on the market so we could move closer to our family for help and support once the babies arrived. This move meant I needed to quit my job. Quit my job? How could I quit my job when we had two babies on the way?? Well, luckily for me, again, Massage Therapy was the answer.

For me personally, I reconnected with an old friend who was starting a massage school and he was kind enough to hire me in a work from home capacity for his massage therapy school. However, spending 5 years working for massage schools, it has always been the answer for many others as well when it comes to finances. Massage therapy is simply one of the most versatile tools to have under your belt. It can be so flexible and provide income in so many ways. Full time, part-time, supplemental, the amount that comes in is truly your choice.

I have seen so many people lose their job and get back on their feet with a brand-new career in only 7 months. I have also seen so many people in situations like mine, who all of a sudden need to earn more income, complete the program and start picking up massages here and there (in addition to their full-time job). The best part of it is, you never get bored and can work anywhere! I have had students graduate, get their license and start working in a spa, but then a year or two down the road switch to a medical setting. I have had students complete the program and begin working in the area but then life threw them a curveball and they had to move, no problem. With their education and skills, it was almost a seamless transition. 

I really have had the pleasure to work with so many different students over the years. Honestly, many are just looking for “more”. Often, they have had a great career and a great income for many many years, however now, they just wanted more and didn’t know what it was. Until they discovered the idea of massage therapy! Massage therapy can be so very rewarding. Healing people with your own hands. Watching their stress melt away on your table. Noticing the difference in their demeanor from the time they came in for their massage to the time they are leaving.

Being a therapist often provides a great sense of accomplishment. To know that you are touching so many people, not just from a literal perspective, but from a figurative perspective as well. As a therapist, they are solving and/or relieving many or all of the above curveballs for a person. They are helping their clients achieve their goals of relieving pain and reducing stress. Being a massage therapist for many can be extremely rewarding

A shot of a man from behind with his arms outstretched and a mountain in the background. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.

Life. Well, as they say, life is life. We don’t know where it will take us or what each day will bring. All we can do is live our best life. Live in less pain, live with less stress, and live with less financial burden. For many, including myself, massage therapy can be the missing piece to the puzzle.

AMBI's 2018 Graduate Testimonials text with animated graduates underneath. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.

A graduate testimonial given by laura m. For Massage Therapy treatments call AMBI.

Let’s Face It – No Matter Who You Are Life Gives Us Surprises. Massage Therapy Treatments Are a Great Way to Overcome Stress and Training for an RMT Career Can Help with Financial Burdens as Well. Check out AMBI’s Massage Therapy Program to Learn About Getting More Out of Your Future With Career Training.