Author Archives: Michelle B., LMP

New Balance Chiropractic – West Seattle

The other day I decided to venture out and visit New Balance Chiropractic which is conveniently located in the West Seattle neighborhood near Roxbury! Upon my arrival to this nicely established practice, I received a warm greeting and within a few short moments had the opportunity to visit with one of the Chiropractors here, Dr. Swanson, to learn a bit more about this growing practice.

Dr. Hill opened the clinic in 2001 and Dr. Swanson joined him about a year ago. They primarily work in family care and take care of clients with L & I cases. Throughout the course of the treatment, clients are educated and given a self care plan. Since a more natural approach is taken here, the Doctors work with their hands, include hydrotherapy and offer recommendations for supplements such as Omega 3’s, which as we all know are beneficial to us all!

As a massage therapist here, you will primarily be providing treatment work and helping clients with L & I cases. If you have taken Spanish before, or happen to be Spanish speaking you are already one step ahead because 80% of the clientele is Hispanic… if you aren’t, then this may be an opportunity for you to learn some Spanish and enhance your communication skills.

They are currently looking for a PT or FT massage therapist. If you live in the area and are interested in consistent income, convenient location and a pleasant work environment with a non-stop opportunity to learn, I would like to invite you to check it out!

You may apply directly through Find Touch or you can send your resume to: chrisdc@mindspring.com

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season,

Michelle B, LMP

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The Spa…for the woman who cares – Bothell

So, I must start off by letting you know that Joyce from this spa has been a huge supporter of the Find Touch community from day one and I am so glad I finally got to meet her in person and visit her spa!

A bit of background on “The Spa… for the woman who cares”. It started about 7 years ago with the idea that women can come relax, hang out and totally pamper themselves…all day if they wanted to! Over the last couple of years, Joyce’s spa has grown into a bigger space and she took the opportunity to do some remodeling. Now, I didn’t see the spa prior to the remodel, but the feeling I get from it now is spacious, yet cozy, and definitely relaxing. Maybe it was the ambiance of the fireplace in the corner… Oh how I do love a fireplace!

You will find a nice waiting room here with a waterfall along with water available for the clients. There are 2 massage rooms available of a decent size conveniently located by the waiting area. Joyce herself is an esthetician and keeps very busy with her clients throughout the day. She also takes the time to pamper those guests who choose the all day spa package… these are some of the times she looks to Find Touch for a massage therapist to fill in. Her concept is more along the lines of a wellness spa. She prefers to use all-natural products and is very in tune with the needs of her clients.

Joyce is currently looking for a more permanent massage therapist of the independant mindset who enjoys marketing themselves and understands the difference between being an employee and an independent contractor. She would ideally like a massage therapist who takes ownership of their position and pride in their work environment. She cannot guarantee a set amount of clients and is hoping for someone who either already has clients to bring with them or who is interested in building and maintaining a clientele from scratch. She offers an excellent commission split and a lovely spa to practice in!

If you have excellent communication skills, enjoy caring for others and feel like the qualities described above fit you, please contact Joyce at: thespaforthewoman [at] verizon [dot] net, or apply through Find Touch.

Have a lovely day!

Michelle B, LMP
https://www.findtouch.com/
service [at] findtouch [dot] com

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Modality of the month…”Visceral Manipulation”

Awhile back I had asked the Find Touch community what they would be interested in reading about. I received several wonderful ideas, and one of them included reading about a different modality each month along with why you would want to take it upon yourself to learn this skill and incorporate it into your practice.

Now, I’m not yet going to commit to writing about a modality each month, especially since I prefer to actually have some experience with the skill I am sharing information about (and although classes are always worth it, it might get spendy to do it each month:). I will however, do my best to share what I know and get you pumped up to learn something new!

I recently got involved with a Visceral Manipulation mentorship taught by Greg Yasuda who also teaches at Cortiva. I personally did not really know beforehand what this technique was all about…I thought to myself “something to do with the viscera perhaps?” In case you are not quite sure, Viscera is the term for organs. It is really much more involved than a “manipulation” skill, as you start off by fine tuning your listening skills…listening to the body that is. We all do this of course while letting our intuitive hands lead the way, but when we take on learning a completely new concept, it refreshes our senses and gives us a new perception! One aspect I appreciate about Visceral Manipulation is that it requires enhancing and refreshing your knowledge of anatomy. It’s easy to spend so much of our time focused on the kinesiology aspect, and when you are able to assess what the body needs along with learning to understand more about restrictions within the organs and then actually applying this knowledge to help your client with chronic lower back pain (as an example)…what a great feeling!

I of course can’t speak in present tense and share results I’ve had with clients due to the fact that I have taken one class so far, but I would like to share a positive result from my personal experience. What my classmates and instructor found was that I had tension in my pericardium, which is underneath my rib cage on the left side. The instructor was able to reach underneath my ribs, hold for a few seconds. Since this is a very protected area, it does require trust, patience and letting go. The referral went all the way up through my lungs right near my collar bone. Once a great amount of tension was released I had this renewed activity in my digestive tract! I am so looking forward to the next class and excited to tune into listening and assessing so I can share this technique with others.

I have found the site of an instructor in the Seattle area who offers workshops on Visceral Manipulation. His name is Michael Hahn and he also specializes in Hellerwork, Cranial Therapies and is a certified Body Talk practitioner.

Please share any information you might have on this therapy by commenting to this blog. Also, if you have interest in sharing your experience and an idea for the next modality, I would love to hear your thoughts on that too! You may contact me anytime at: service@findtouch.com.

Have a wonderful day,

Michelle B, LMP
https://www.findtouch.com/

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Massage Envy- Newcastle

This past week I had the opportunity to visit Massage Envy in Newcastle, WA. Did you know that this is one of the very first Massage Envy locations? It actually is in a conveniently located spot too, especially if you live on the eastside! You will find plenty of parking, a grocery store, Starbuck’s and a variety of eateries close by for your breaks. Not to mention you will find a nice-sized break room and this room for resting upstairs with bean bags and such!

I met with Jamie Hyland who is the manager and a Massage Therapist herself. She maintains a low-key and mellow atmosphere, which I found to be very grounding and pleasant as I spent time here! This is the busiest treatment-oriented Massage Envy and as an LMP working here, you would be consistently booked and enjoy benefits by working 25 hours per week. One thing that I found to be a very positive note is that they are flexible with your schedule and leave it open for you to set your limits. They also encourage continuing education and provide a Hot Stone class at this location for CEU’s, not to mention a CEU incentive program is available company-wide.
If you are interested in applying, you may do so through the Find Touch website at:

Job Details of Massage Envy Newcastle From this screen you will be able to log in to apply! You can also contact Jamie Hyland at: 206-423-5405. She is really pleasant to talk to and looks forward to hearing from you soon!
Have a wonderful day,
Michelle B, LMP
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Moussaka- It’s What’s for Dinner…in a few hours that is!

Yes, the other day I decided to take an adventure into the recipe book and randomly pick a recipe…bam…opened the book right up to Moussaka. I remembered a few years back being invited to a big Greek family’s house for Christmas dinner and this was one of the dishes on the menu. I thought I remembered it being quite tasty…so why not give it a whirl?

Well, since I kind of skim through things when I read them and don’t always pay attention to all the fine details…and I’ve had conversations with other massage therapist skimmers as well, so I know I’m not alone:), when the recipe asked for 8-10 large eggplants I for some reason did not blink an eye or even think to myself “Geesh that sounds like a lot”! While I was at Trader Joes filling my cart up with these large vegetables…eggplant was a magnet for conversation!! I was getting recipe tips and recommendations for Indian spices (maybe Indian food will be the next dish).

Once I finally had all the ingredients, I got home and started prepping…and yes, “prepping” being the key word. One of the guys in Trader Joe’s even mentioned this when I told him of my Moussaka excursion…I heard him again in the back of my mind “I hope you like to prep”. Okay, sure I do…I love to prep (hee hee)! Am I ever glad I got an early start so I could eat by a decent hour:) There was definitely a fair amount of cutting, slicing, dicing, chopping, peeling and what not. I think the most prep involved were these eggplants….coat them in salt for an hour after slicing, after peeling, then rinse, then dry, then broil till’ browned. In a studio apartment, you definitely get creative with counter space…I almost had to start balancing items on my head there for a minute!
When I went back to the recipe book to “prep” the next step I realized…oh…my goodness! I was preparing a dish for 12-18 people…I had to laugh at myself for a moment, and then I thought… yessss! Now I have leftovers:) Once I finally reached the last step of throwing the Moussaka in the oven to bake I felt so overwhelmed with joy…like finishing a great feat or something!

So, the moral? Yes, the moral of the Moussaka story is mmmm mmmm good! I would recommend sharing the warmth of this dish with others, and yes, you will have leftovers, but if you have a big appetite like I do and this is the main dish, it will not feed 12-18 people! The recipe book I took this from is “Nourishing Traditions” and it has an excellent selection of healthy and hearty meals with great tips and pieces of trivia along the way! I also thought you might enjoy a photo of my house guests who were quite pleased the Moussaka madness!

So… a thought for Thanksgiving perhaps?

Michelle B, LMP
www.findtouch.com
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Is Your Communication Feeling Blocked Lately? Check this out…

So, my thought process today, well actually this week, has been a lot about relationship building and how to ensure that those relationships you’ve been building are positive and healthy.

As we all know with our profession, it is important to have balance in our lives in order to be more energetically available for our clients and in turn make us feel more energized in our personal lives. While these thoughts have been rolling around in my mind today like a bunch of tumbleweeds I came across this flyer that I’ve been holding on to. Guess what it is about?

Well, the title is actually “Dealing with Difficult Clients” but the underlying truth of what this class is referring to…the ultimate bottom line is Non-violent Communication. This flyer which I hold happens to be outdated, but I decided to check out the website anyways: hollyeckert.com/.

What I found out is she has a free intro on Nov. 14th if anybody is interested in going. I will post more details on the community forum. Thought I would share, I don’t know if it’s the summer/fall (all of a sudden winter) transition or what… but you know the deep thoughts are coming on strong.

If anybody else has any thoughts or ideas or book recommendations on building positive, open and healthy relationships…do share! Have a great weekend!

Michelle B, LMP

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What is Your Favorite Pumpkin Patch?

So, today I was thinking…how can I make this blog more interesting? What do we LMPs want to read about, really? Of course it is lovely to hear about various aspects of the massage community, and I love to keep everyone in the loop as well as share positive information, but today I’ve chosen to take a break from all that and talk about pumpkin patches for a minute. My neighbor, whether she realizes it or not, totally inspired me!

Have you ever even been to a pumpkin patch? Yesterday was my first time, and let me tell you…I’m so glad I went! It was as if yesterday’s motto was…”Take it easy”, as traffic was a bit on the slow side, but sometimes it really is necessary to remove yourself from everyone else’s hustle and bustle and take it slow, right? Although I surprisingly enough didn’t even hear one single Eagles song on the radio…I just continued to think to myself “Take it Eeeeaasy”.

I’m guessing you might be wondering where in the heck this mysterious pumpkin patch could be, not to mention where this write up is going, don’t mind if I eeeaase into it do you? Okay, so the pumpkin patch, Fall City Farms, yep, that’s right…Fall City. Have you been? I highly recommend it, for the drive alone is worth it. The leaves are changing right now, so it really is the perfect time, and if you’re in the mood for a hike, you just so happen to be on your way to Snoqualmie Falls!

Now, I’m going to let you have the experience on your own, but I will tell you, it is a small, family operation, and if you need to get in touch with your country roots, go out there and pick yourself out a pumpkin! If I could make one recommendation, it would be to stop and visit the cute teenage cow that greets you on your way in…she really loves and appreciates massages. She even gives you a thank you moo on your way out:)
Thanks for letting me be random today! Have a happy halloween!

Michelle B, LMP

**If you have a favorite pumpkin patch or halloween idea. We would love to hear your comments!

Fall City Farms link: http://www.fallcityfarms.com/
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Elements Therapeutic Massage

I recently visited Elements, a therapeutic massage studio located in the heart of Issaquah. They offer a variety of treatments including: Deep Tissue, Swedish, Sports Massage, Pre-natal Massage, and Hot Stone. The complex they are located in also offers a fitness center, yoga studio and chiropractic care.

Upon my arrival to Elements I felt a very calm, mellow vibe. Their front desk gal was very professional and friendly, not to mention, Amy, the manager, is bubbly, yet down to earth and has a presence that makes a person feel very welcome right away!

Amy took the time to show me around and introduce me to some of the massage therapists working at Elements who were all very interested in sharing their positive work experiences. They all seem to appreciate that they can use their own techniques and share their individual talents as a massage therapist and feel like their limits are respected in regards to scheduling.

You will find a nice little employee break room which has a computer available for you to keep track of your clients, a table and chairs, plus, a refrigerator which Amy just so happens to be generous enough to stock with snacks and beverages to keep you going throughout the day!
If you are interested in growth, stability and a professional and positive environment, Elements may be the place for you! They are currently looking for massage therapists who are approachable and enjoy building positive client relationships.
To find out more about Elements, check out their website: http://www.etmissaquah.com/. To apply for a position, please contact Amy O’Bryant by applying through the Find Touch website: https://www.findtouch.com/.
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Monday Oct. 6- Massage For the Cure!

I’m sure you are all familiar with the “Race for the Cure”, but have you heard of “Massage for the Cure”? This is an opportunity for you to share your gift while contributing to a good cause- the Susan G. Komen fund for the cure. On this particular day, clients will be donating to the cause rather than paying directly for their massage. This does not however mean that you will not be paid as a massage therapist. You will both be paid and appreciated for contributing your time and love. If you are interesting in making a donation yourself, you can opt to donate your tips to the fund for this day!

This wonderful event is sponsored by Massage Envy. To apply for a time slot, please contact one of the convenient locations throughout the Seattle area. To save you a step, here is a direct link to their website with available locations throughout Western Washington:

http://www.massageenvy.com/locations.aspx?zip=98105&radius=150&city=&state=WA

Don’t forget to save the date! I look forward to seeing you there!

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CEU Update!

Here are some upcoming opportunities for CEUs along with an opportunity to work with the Reiki Fellowship in October for those who are interested!

Provided by: The Hands That Heal Center for the Healing Arts…

“How to do Groovy Neck Work”
Sept. 13 (Saturday) 10am-3pm **Therapeutic, Headache and Whiplash Workshop

“How to Run a $1000 Weekend Seated Massage Event
Sept. 13 (Saturday) 3pm-7pm

“Nooks and Crannies”
Sept. 14 (Sunday) 10am-2pm **Illio-Psoas, Sub-Scap, Piriformis, Adductors

“Manifesting an Amazing Massage Busines Today!”
Sept. 14 (Sunday) 3pm-7pm **Achieve Your Business Goals, Dreams and Desires

**About the workshops-

  • Each workshop has a muscle review and time to practice the new treatment strokes on other class participants
  • Each 4 hour class fee is $100 with 4 CEU’s available upon successful course completion
  • Take all 4 classes in the full 2 day “Make It Work For You” workshop

CPR/ First Aid Recertification class

Sept. 28th (Sunday) 1pm-5pm $60

You may e-mail Pamela directly to find out more about these CEUs: thehandsthathealcenter@yahoo.com

Pamela Rapiñan NCTMB-LMP,CSH 206-501-6608

**The Reiki Fellowship will be sharing at the “Alive Expo-Lynnwood Convention Center”

Dates: Nov. 8 and Nov. 9

Registration: You may find out more information in regards to joining the Reiki Fellowship at: http://www.reikifellowship.com/

If you know of other interesting opportunities and learning experiences to share with the massage community, I will be happy to pass them along. You can also share by posting a comment to this blog!

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