1. What do you do at Element and how long have you been there?
Prior to my being hired at Element, I visited the website and saw the array of service offerings, and I was very impressed. I started on the first Saturday in May this year, and, needless to say, I was very excited to join the team.
2. Tell us a little bit about your background… and how you came to do what you do at Element.
I migrated here from Jamaica in the early ’90s with the intention of studying both psychology and massage therapy. The plan was to have a practice where I could combine both therapy of the mind and therapy of the body. Along the way I lost interest in psychology and focused solely on massage therapy. I have no regrets!
In 1998, I graduated from the Swedish Institute Inc., also known as the Swedish Institute of Health Sciences, and I have subsequently practiced in various environments: chiropractor’s office, pain management physician’s office, wellness center, and, of course, day spas. I have also practiced in Georgia and New York. Of all these settings, I prefer the wellness centers, because I’m given more of an opportunity to use various techniques.
3. What makes your practice satisfying/fulfilling for you? What is the most misunderstood aspect of what you do?
When my work provides remediation for my clients, whether that is mere relaxation, or whether it facilitates relief from pain, I feel rewarded. There are people who believe that the more painful the treatment, the more effective it is. In fact, I believe that tight tissues, especially fascia, respond better to less pressure/pain.
4. If you could tell a prospective/new client one or two things that are crucial to know about your practice, what would they be?
Prior to receiving massage treatment, don’t hesitate to provide the therapist with even seemingly irrelevant health-related information. That information may be just what is needed to prevent the therapist from exacerbating an existing condition.
5. What do you like do when you’re not at Element?
I really like to watch martial arts movies, especially the older versions, and I’m an airplane fanatic. I take pictures of airplanes at every chance I get (I often travel close to an airport). However, I’m currently pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration, so I don’t have much time for the “fun things.” So for now, my time away from work is dedicated to studying.
About Megan:
A graduate of the Swedish Institute, Megan is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist. During her sessions, she draws on her training in Myofascial Release Techniques, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy and other modalities, and is able to incorporate techniques from any of those treatments, into a given session.
From an early age, she adopted a healthy lifestyle. A desire to stick close to nature’s medicines led her to study Massage Therapy. She has been practicing her craft for several years, and strongly believes in its therapeutic powers. When it comes to massage, her philosophy is, that it does not have to be painful to be effective.