My LYMPHPATHERCISE®, Lymphedema & Lymphatic therapy, massage and related services focus on the whole person, combining eastern and western methodologies and philosophies. I believe the patient is the center of the care process. I do not focus only on the symptom control, I educate and promote that the patient has an active role in self management and self efficacy. I have also expanded my Practice to include in-home Pet Therapies and they too have many Benefits. 

 

Licensed as a Massage Therapist in Illinois and Colorado with 20 years of experience. Vodder Certified Lymphatic Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapist Certification (Certified Lymphedema Therapist) re-certified in January 2019. LANA certified Lymphedema Therapist (Lymphology Association of North America).

 

I chose the Utah College of Massage Therapy, because of its exceptional academic program, which included science labs at the University of Utah's medical school.  I graduated at the top of my class.  I received the “High Five” award. I concentrated my studies in the Sports, Spa and Medical tracks. I swam competitively year round from grade school to college, having had some of the best coaches in the world arena. I signed up for every dance and gymnastics class that my mother could afford on a teacher's salary. Not always having a pool available, I then became a runner, triathlete. Hiking, skiing, climbing, equestrian riding became part of my life in Colorado. Having sustained injuries/trauma in my life, that with the athletic training I received, I have a better understanding of body mechanics, and what role the Brain/Gut, Mind, Body and Spirit play in the healing process.  I continued my studies/certifications before embarking on my professional career: Shiatsu, Craniosacral, Neuromuscular, Prenatal and Reiki.  I am a Reiki Master.   

 

My first job, the Golden Door Spa, Telluride, CO, the number two spa in the US at the time.  During my time in Telluride, I became certified in: Lomi Lomi, hydrotherapy; LaStone, which is a treatment created in Telluride, using hot basalt stones and cold marble stones.  I added Thai, Ashiatsu, Geriatric, Oncology/Cancer, more reflexology training, and many body wrap/herbal treatments to my expertise.   

 

I shortly went into business for myself, and eventually became a Spa Director at a small luxury hotel, Lumiere. I was a unique Spa Director that I also gave massage.  When I moved to Telluride, I began volunteering giving hospice patients and their caretakers free massage. I was a Board member of the Umcompahgre Medical Center. In 2010, I created the nonprofit, Healing Hands for Hospice.  

 

During Telluride’s offseason, I traveled back to my hometown Chicago, and volunteered at Northwestern Medicine’s Hospice, eventually being hired.  I traveled back and forth every few months until the grant-funded program, the NOW program, which I helped inspire, based on what I created in Colorado, was fully funded.  

 

I moved to Chicago full time in 2012 to participate in this program.  Northwestern Medical decided to sell the hospice department’s license and the company that purchased the license did not provide its patients massage services. I moved over to Northwestern’s Integrative Medicine, which became the Osher Center.  Three and a half years ago, I went to work for the Raby Institute for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern, and now I am concentrating my efforts on my new practice location at 845 N. Michigan Ave. Watertower Professional Suite 973W, and LYMPHPATHERCISE® under Holistic Evolving Bodyworks, LLC.  

 

In 2017, I completed my Vodder Certification for Lymph Drainage and Decongestive Therapy.  I am a CLT, Certified Lymphedema & Combined Decongestive Therapist.  I am certified in Kinesiology taping and I work with pneumatic compression and low-level laser therapy, and have had advanced training in each. Offering packages for postoperative care. I have completed many advanced classes in fitting for compression garments. I help to facilitate purchasing compression garments, bandages/tape, and skincare products. I stay current by attending orthopaedic conferences and workshops and a variety of medical seminars. I participated in the Yoga Six YTT certification training in July 2018. Attended the 9th International Lymphoedema Framework Conference 2019. 

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LYMPHPATHERCISE® combines my Lymphedema Therapy with a yoga  and/or exercise practice. I instruct and provide a personalized map on how to open up your lymph pathways specific to your condition, techniques to help break down the hard lymph buildup areas, help reduce swelling, move the fluid, get into compression and combine a yoga practice or exercise practice specific to your level to optimize your quality of health. 

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I have a gifting fund, if you would like to purchase treatment for someone specific, or you would like to help someone who needs lymphedema treatment, but cannot afford it.  Please contact me for details.