I’ve felt despair. The type of despair that is all-encompassing, numbing, and breathtaking. A form that can only be truly appreciated by those who have spent countless hours on a single objective in the hopes of temporary glory, who have come to the shocking realization that all their effort was for naught. I’m referring to the injured, serious athlete.
My background is in professional running. For six years after college, I spent an unending amount of time and effort seeking fast times and quality competition on roads, tracks and cross country courses. More times than not, in the peak of my training, often before big races, I’d experience a serious setback. In these times of duress, I’d seek solace and hope from Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and most often, Massage Therapists. Looking back at those dark days of my newly injured state, it was often these technicians who talked me off a ledge, who assured me that the end was not near. I vowed after these injuries, that when my competition days were over, I’d help athletes the way these people helped me.
Looking back these countless health-related sessions, I realized that the massage therapists often had the best soft-tissue techniques and offered the most comprehensive treatment. Rather than focusing on one specific area of injury, the massage therapists would work up the entire chain of muscles, utilizing many techniques. I also found these massage sessions to be less rushed, more relaxed and better for my mental state.
It is with the memories of these beneficial massage sessions, that I decided to become a LMT and seek out a Massage Therapy Certification at the Greenville Technical College in South Carolina. With this degree I will open my own business devoted the treatment and education of athletes in Upstate South Carolina. My studio will combine the relaxing nature of a spa, with the healing nature of sports massage. I will utilize my understanding of serious training and knowledge of treatment-based massage to offer an unrivaled experience for athletes.
When an injured athlete pursues help from a healthcare professional, they are seeking bodily care as well as mental. The bodily harm during injuries is often less destructive than the stress an athlete has on his mind. Massage represents the perfect medium to provide relief on both fronts. Certain techniques can be used to relax the mind, and lower heart rate, before moving into more specific approaches to the issue at hand. My goal will be for the client to not only leave each session feeling physically relieved but also with the belief that they will return to their former fitness.
A great benefit of working in the healthcare industry, are the many opportunities for continued education. Two areas of massage that I plan on achieving increased knowledge of are Active Release Therapy and Rolfing. Active Release Therapy, is a method I’ve had administered on myself many times with great results. While the application of A.R.T. seems straight forward, I realize it’s the subtleties of application that make all the difference. Rolfing intrigues me, mainly because a large majority of endurance based athletes suffer connective tissue injuries. An increased understanding of A.R.T. and Rolfing would greatly improve my client’s experience.
I will devote the twelve months following my Massage Therapy Certification to building a website, finalizing my studio, marketing, advertising, and honing my business plan. I’m certain that my skills and knowledge from Greenville Tech will provide me with the skills I need to help clients. The bigger challenge will be figuring out effective ways to communicate my services to the Upstate.
Due to my extensive background in running, I will concentrate my initial outreach efforts on forging relationships with training groups, race directors, and coaches. After finding a hold in the running community, I will reach out to the biking, triathlon and CrossFit communities. The techniques I have learned while securing my massage therapy certification will prepare me to work on all forms of athlete. It is my hope to have a strong reputation for caring, expert service within eighteen months of opening.
