Irene’s Insights
The mission of Irene’s Myomassology Institute is to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of individuals and society. The public’s interest in natural health and preventative medicine is continuously growing. We strive to be your reliable source for information on massage therapy, healthy lifestyles and successful massage careers.
Successful Massage Careers
A Successful Career – Jim Saltalamacchia
I chose massage therapy because I was retiring from a career in law enforcement and I wanted to do something else after retirement. I thought it would be a good way to help people and to stay busy.
Another Successful Career – Stacy Kelly
Stacy – My career path has led me into specializing in visceral manipulation, where I focus on mobilizing the fascia of the organs for better function and motility. So many people these days have GI dysfunction to some degree, but what they don’t always realize is the effect that dysfunction could have on other regions of their body.
A Successful Career – Dustin Dreese
Having spent 8 years of my professional life after graduate school working in industries that yielded little happiness, I reached a point where I knew I needed to make a drastic change. Joy and happiness had become infrequent. I was overweight, unhealthy, and living in a perpetual state of stress. I developed depression, anxiety attacks, and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In short, I was on a quick decline… and I knew it.
A Successful Career – Bil Bitz
I was burned out after 20+ years of website development and graphic design and wanted a new challenge. Irene’s was the first school I visited and as soon as I stepped into the lobby before I even checked in for my interview I knew that I was going to enroll. The feeling of calm and Irene’s spirit just took hold. I knew I was in the right place. Best midlife crisis ever!
A Successful Career – Mia Shaughnessy
Mia was awarded South Lyon’s BEST Massage Therapist for 2019!
Mia – I am not sure how I ended up in massage therapy, it kind of just happened! I went to Schoolcraft right after graduating high school; I decided 4-year college/universities were not the paths that were meant for me. I thought about becoming a cosmetologist or hairdresser like my mom, aunt, and grandmother, but I decided I wanted to be more in the wellness category instead of beauty.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
We’ve got your Back…Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain
Massage has been introduced as a viable substitute for traditional medical approaches for low back pain. Many healthcare providers are beginning to recognize massage as a legitimate form of treatment for low back pain. In fact, studies show about fifty-four percent of healthcare providers suggest that their patients seek out a massage therapist in addition to other treatment for their pain.
Managing Chronic Pain with Complementary Medicine
Chronic pain is often defined as any pain lasting more than twelve weeks. Whereas acute pain is a normal sensation, chronic pain is very different. Chronic pain persists. Serious, chronic pain affects over 100 million Americans each year, many of whom are inadequately treated by the health-care system.
Treating Depression with Massage
When many people think of massage therapy, they think of it as a way to provide some physical benefit. However, massage is also widely seen as a strategy to improve mental health, relaxation, mood, and decrease stress. Massage can provide a number of benefits to your mental health, whether you have a clinical mental health condition or simply had a long day at work.
The Benefits of Massage for MS Clients
Some of the most significant benefits of massage therapy for MS sufferers appear to be reduced spasticity and pain, improved circulation and increased muscle and joint flexibility. Massage also reduces stress, which is thought to be a pain trigger for MS clients as well.
13 Benefits of Massage for Exercise
Whether you are a professional athlete or participating in an amateur sports league with your friends, exercise can provide significant benefits. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has even gone as far as releasing the first official U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines in 2008.
Healthy Lifestyles
Are Food Labels Misleading?
Food labels can be an important resource in making sure you’re eating a healthy diet. Even if you know a lot about nutrition and health, and have a clear idea of your ideal nutritional profile, without nutritional information it would be difficult to determine how any given food fits into that plan.
Can Meditation Improve Your Health?
Meditation can be practiced by almost everyone and provides significant benefits to mental, emotional and physical health. Trying one of the various styles of mediation based on your specific goals and/or preferences is a great way to improve your quality of life, even if you only have a few minutes each day to lend to the practice!
16 Tips to Ease Stress and Avoid Anxiety
Irene’s Myomassology Institute Cares Set goals for each and every day. Enjoy a shower to feel fresh. Get dressed. Do not spend the day in your pajamas. Get yourself out of the house for some fresh air. Take a walk and start moving. We can’t control the weather, so...
TIPS FOR MTs TO SURVIVE THE COVID-19 CRISIS
by Paul Mattson, LMT - Personal Development Instructor These are, indeed, uncertain times for everybody, and as Massage Therapists we are no exception. We are used to providing care for others, and, if you're like me, you're sometimes not so good at remembering to...
No Corona Here!
As coronavirus (COVID-19) is at the top of the headlines, at Irene’s we are choosing to focus on emphasizing health maintenance minimizing panic. We avoid sensationalism and stay informed from trusted information sources such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC). ...
Alumni Tips
Inverted Face Shields – An Added Layer of Protection for Therapists and Clients
Wearing a face shield, in addition to a mask over the mouth and nose, provides an additional layer of protection. It has been proven that the most common transmission method of COVID-19 is through aerosols or droplets containing the virus being expelled from an...
Stay Safe – Stay Open!
If we want to stay in practice as Massage Therapists or continue studying to become one, without facing another shut down, it is imperative that we follow the CDC guidelines that keep us ALL safe. However, this doesn’t only apply to the time when we are at work or...
Massage Therapists You’re Ready – You’ve Got This!
All Licensed Massage Therapists in Michigan can return to work on Monday, June 15, 2020. We've seen the statistics and followed the news about masking, social distancing, and have heard how devastating the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 have been not only nationwide,...
TIPS FOR MTs TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRACTICE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
Hello again, fellow MTs. We are now fully one month into this pandemic. I'm sure many of us have faced challenges during this time not only professionally, but also personally. I hope you are taking good care of yourselves! I've put together some suggestions and tips...
Current Info for MTs to Get Help
Irene's amazing Professional Development Instructor, Paul Mattson, did some research to help our graduates. Here is the latest information on resources to help massage therapists get through this unpredictable pandemic. Read this to find where to look for help. Thanks...