Who are you?

I am a Colombian woman, who came to this beautiful country almost 18 years ago. Since then I have discovered great facets of my personality that have helped me cope with great positive changes for my personal and professional growth. I am a mother of two young children, determined to keep going in my career until I achieve my long-term goals as PT and MT.

Why did you become an LMT?

My dream from a young age was always to help people when they presented limitations on a physical and even psychological level. When I chose the PT career I felt that this was my passion, however, my marriage and the arrival of my children made me redirect my goals in the short term. When I had changes that affected my future (such as divorce) I had to rethink myself again. I could not work as a PT in this state, so I tried to find a career with similarities in the objectives that I set for myself to work with people. That is why I chose the MT career, also my knowledge allowed me to achieve more success in all aspects from the beginning of this career and gave me the opportunity to further expand my knowledge and do something that is more than a job; it is a passion to help people!

Where and when did you go to school?

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy in Colombia in 2001. I worked for 2 years there as a PT, then I moved to the USA in 2004. In 2012 I graduated from Massage Therapy from Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage.

What modalities do you specialize in?

Therapeutic massage is my specialty, which includes Deep Tissue with techniques that involve knowledge of PT such as MET and MFR usually applied for some pathologies more than others but I do not have the certification that is required. I also do Hot Stone Massage, Himalayan Stone, Bamboo and Reflexology Massage.

List any dysfunctions and acute/chronic conditions you have treated or particularly specialize in:

The list is extensive because I worked for 2 years as a PT and almost 9 as an MT and I have always seen patients where I have always used therapeutic massage, these are some of them apply more in neurological, geriatric, orthopedic, and sports patients:

Chronic sciatic pain/piriformis syndrome

Neurological pathologies/disorders (Parkinson, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis) also there included as well many peripheral neuropathies

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sports injuries

Chronic tension-type headaches, migraines and problems with TMJ

Whiplash injuries, spinal injuries

Shoulder pain/frozen shoulder

Fibromyalgia

Chronic pain by spinal injury

Why is massage important to you?

When I worked as a PT I had a very different idea of how much a therapeutic massage could help someone with an injury or pathology, however, after almost 10 years as an MT I have discovered that massage, even in many cases, can achieve faster progress, advanced helping to re-integrate the person into their daily lives. That is why for me it is very important to make people understand how important massage is. I firmly believe that this is a career that still needs a lot of research and that over the years it will be seen as a great rehabilitation therapy that achieves immensely great changes in people from all levels of life.

How would you describe your style of massage?

I am a TM who likes challenges. My massage is very different, especially when the person comes to me with a pathology that combines the neurological, orthopedic, or sports aspects. I have many protocols that I usually apply according to the person and the day because I consider that a patient who always comes with me for years will always come with something different. That is why I use different protocols and techniques in all massages depending on the requirements.

What keeps you motivated?

My motivation is my children; my family. They are everything to me. My career also because it is a part of everything. These three things make my life beautiful and full of joy. Another thing that I consider very important are my patients/clients. I have patients who have been with me for years and I have discovered that, thanks to them, I maintain my motivation to work more than any other job could give me; not only as an MT, also like a kind of therapist who always listens and maintains patient ethics or privacy. It is a very beautiful experience that gives great motivation in my life.