RNR - A New Chapter Beginning in my Massage Therapy Journey

When I tell people that I'm a massage therapist that has Rheumatoid Arthritis, they are usually shocked and a little doubtful. It's a known fact that massage therapists tend to not be in practice for their entire lives because frankly, giving massage wears your body out. So going into the business, already having problems with my hands, not many people expect that it will last long for me. However, as I learned while attending massage school, arthritis really has no affect on my joints, in fact for the 6 months I attended school, I was almost completely pain free!

Even though it isn't an issue right now, I am always looking for ways that I can save my body and elongate my career. I was looking for a continuing education class to take this fall, and I came across a flyer for one that taught a modality called RNR - Reconnecting Neuromuscular Responses. One of the first things that caught my eye was that it said it was "Very easy on the therapist, especially their hands!" It had me sold right there, but when I continued reading, I became very impressed with all the benefits of RNR. To list a few, RNR is very beneficial for shoulder and neck pain, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, bunions, TMJ, headaches and migraines, sprained ankles, and much more! I knew that this had to be the class for me!

About the technique: RNR is a neuromuscular massage technique that supports the relationship between the nerves and the muscles through the golgi tendon organs. Golgi tendon organs are nerve endings located in soft tissue fibers throughout the body. When a person experiences pain, the pain signal may cause splinting, which is a contraction of one group of muscles around another to immobilize them. Splinting is a wonderful mechanism; however when this signal is turned off, the healing process may be hindered. RNR helps the body remember to turn off the signal, so healing may be facilitated at a faster rate.

I was very impressed with all the new information I gained from taking this course. I now offer a 45 minute full body RNR session. For the session, the client remains clothed, and there is no oil or lotion used. The goal is not to provide a relaxing environment but rather an environment where the client is able to heal. Anyone can benefit from RNR; it is especially beneficial for athletes or any person who is physically active!

RNR is intended to heal aches and pains that you've carried around for years. I recently discovered this technique through a class, and it has changed the way I massage for the better! I am not yet certified in this modality but am hoping to continue learning and practicing until I am able to be. RNR is not a new technique, but there are very few practitioners in the country. To learn more about it and read testimonials from people who have been receiving it for years, visit RNRmassagetherapy.com.

My Love Story: How it all began

I'll never forget the day my dad asked me this question.

“Has a boy ever asked you to be his girlfriend?”

My mind started racing. Was this the boyfriend-girfriend talk my friends had gone through with their parents, when they learned that they could have a boyfriend if he was nice. (keep in mind, we were 5.) I didn’t really have my mind set on anyone, I just thought it’d be nice to know what my parents thought of this. I knew several guys at my church, one of them was even a close friend, just because his parents and mine hung out a lot. Though I didn’t care for anyone in a special way, I, like every other girl, just wanted to feel like a princess. And like every princess, I wanted a prince.

Disney movies were a big part of my childhood. Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast were among my favorites. However, when I watched them, my mind was shaping around the idea that these princesses were much older than I. We don’t see what the childhood of these princesses was like, yet while watching, I get the idea that up to that point they have not dated or given their hearts to other boys. I always assume the fact that up until that point where the movie begins, they have been single, waiting for the right time, and the right guy, to come steal their hearts. That was the kind of romance I was hoping for.

My friends did not feel the same way. I had some wonderful friends that I was very close to. For the most part, we just loved playing with dolls, riding our bikes and playing make believe games. But I recall that at a very young age, they started talking about boys. I really thought it was stupid. I was also much more sheltered then they were though. As my parent’s first child, I know they protected me more than my friends were…and more than my younger siblings for that matter. But that’s another story. Anyway, I was also going to be homeschooled rather than sent to public school like they were. They would talk about who they thought was cute, who they had a crush on, and who they thought was pursuing them. (again, keep in mind, we were 5. I keep bringing this up because I’d like you to realize how dumb it sounds!) 

Back to the question my dad asked. Had a boy asked me to be his girlfriend? “no”, I answered truthfully, anxiously wanting to know where this conversation was going.

“Good,” said my dad. “If any boy ever does, tell him to come talk to me first.”

Somehow, my 5 year old mind thought that this was an instant no. No boyfriends. I didn’t really mind, honestly. Yet for some reason, my mind took this further than I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend. At this point, I thought my dad had told me to not have any boys as friends either. My dad never specifically said I couldn’t, just that I had to send them to him first. I just didn’t think any of the guys I knew would ever want to talk to my dad. He wasn’t scary or intimidating to me, but I understood that he would be to other guys. 

That’s all I remember about this day. My life didn’t really change after that, for the most part. I kept up my friendships with girls. I avoided and ignored their boy talk and gossip. However, I stopped talking and befriending boys at this point. Not because they had cooties, but because I wanted to save them from any trouble of having to talk to my dad.

Did not having boys as friends affect me in a negative way? Some might think so. But I don’t. Just like in Disney movies, I opted to go on and live my life, respect my parents, and grow and mature to be who I’m meant to be. I knew that someday one boy would come and sweep me off my feet and carry me away.

However, it didn’t end up to be that simple. I mean, if it did, why would I be writing a painfully long and detailed story about how I came to meet my soulmate?!

A little room make over!

I redid my bedroom for $30!

1 can of paint: $30

...that was it :) I borrowed a comforter/pillow cases from my sister, and just made everything else fit in!

It does great things for my productivity!

Top pic: My bookshelf, Wizard of Oz pic (yes I realize it's backwards!) and the stuffed animals that made the cut :)

Bottom: Bed, desk, window...pretty self explanatory! I love this place!! I've never felt more organized in my life!

The Impact Massage Therapy School Had on Me

Throughout my entire senior year of high school, I was positive that I knew exactly what God wanted me to do with my life. I had made up my mind before it even started, and I was quite stuck to it. I mean, why wouldn't God want me to go to a private Christian college? All I wanted was to learn and grow closer to Him, so this just HAD to be what He wanted for me. It didn't matter that it was so early in the year, I turned down every other option or opportunity that came my way.

I will never forget the day when I got the phone call that changed everything. It was from the college, and when I hung up I realized that God was closing the door. It wasn't meant to be, and I knew that all those plans I had made would have to change. I was rather embarrassed, and at my graduation party I still told everyone I was going to this Christian college, even though I didn't really have any idea what to do.

The week after my graduation, I remembered one school that I had heard a bit about that I decided was worth looking into. Carlson College of Massage Therapy. Massage was not something I wanted to do, but I thought it'd be a cool skill to have so I could work and pay my way through another school, majoring in whatever I REALLY wanted to learn. My mom and I visited, and I decided I did like it. It was affordable, relatively close to home, and a short program that I could just go through then move on. I sent in my application the next day.

Talk about taking a leap of faith! I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know why God had put this particular school in my path. I wasn't totally excited about it. I was not at all interested in the medical field, I wasn't particularily fond of touching people, I was dreading having to take anatomy and physiology, and I had just found out that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. My fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles and toes ached... great idea, choosing a career that requires using your hands 90% of the time, right?!

I don't even know what brought me to school on the first day. I was even scared about driving all the way out to Anamosa on my own. I had minimal public school experience and was very nervous about meeting all new people, and having to be at school from 8:30-4 every day! Somehow, I made it there. And praise God that I did!

Every single day since then, I have seen a new reason of why God wants me to be here. I have always wanted to help people in life, and this career has given me a new way to reach out and touch people's lives. It started in the classroom, making friends with the coolest classmates I could have ever hoped for, and getting to be with them for a good portion of the week. Now, it's reaching out to the community. Volunteering at races and hospitals was a great experience, and in just 11 days I get to start clinic and work with all sorts of people!

Like I mentioned before, I was not at all interested in the medical field. So how did I get here you ask? Well somehow, I was under the impression that massage was a luxurious, relaxing thing and had nothing to do with health or wellness. BOY WAS I WRONG! But I learned that I actually really do like it~ learning about the human body is so fascinating to me. Anatomy and Physiology were SO much easier than I thought, and just learning about how God created us was incredible. This has opened my mind up to so much more that I could do after school, I am so thankful He tricked me into coming here ;)

Not only has Carlson helped me come closer to God and become better at relating with people, it has also helped me physically in miraculous ways. Two and a half years ago I was in a car accident, where I was hit from behind and pushed into the car ahead of me. Ever since then I had this neck pain that wouldn't go away. It caused many headaches and much pain every day. Through receiving massages at Carlson almost daily (benefit of being a student!) I am happy to say that the pain is almost completely gone, and everyday I can live and feel great physically. I can testify that what we're doing at school is really working, and I can give relief to people having the same pains I had.

And about the arthritis? I haven't had pain in months! You could say it's because school is encouraging me to eat healthier and take better care of myself. Or maybe because I stretch my joints every day before massaging. Maybe it's from receiving massage. Well whatever it is, I know God is at work, and He led me to this school for multiple reasons. This being one. I say it's a miracle.

When I give a massage, I always start with a prayer. I pray that God would lead me as I do the work, and I pray for whoever I'm about to work on. It always makes me feel more positive, and I truly feel like I am using my hands in the way God intended for me. I am so excited to start clinics, and then graduate and move on to do whatever He has planned for me. It's all so exciting :)