When you add gentle-touch massage to the care you provide for your patient, you change their life, as well as your own.

In many ways, gentle-touch massage is my way of communication.

I find it to be a profound way to bring calm into a world of chaos.  It’s carried me through many journeys of caring for others and provided a way to speak without words – especially for those hurting emotionally and physically.

My call to this work came early in my massage career, when my sister, Joyce, was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I took her for chemo every other Thursday. That’s Joyce on the right. I’m on the left along with my other sister and mom.

I remember being afraid to touch her in fear that I might make her worse.

I finally got the courage to ask her oncologist if I could massage her hands and feet while she received chemo.  He said, “sure”. As though it was no big deal.

Believe me, it was a BIG DEAL to me! I didn’t want to make her worse.

When I picked Joyce up for her next appointment, I was prepared. I massaged her feet and hands while she received chemotherapy.

She loved it. She relaxed. She was calm. She felt supported. She slept. We laughed and we cried… together.

It was a hard time, but it was a meaningful time.

Since my time with Joyce, I’ve sought training from the top instructors in gentle-touch modalities and continue to LOVE the opportunities that come my way.

I’ve provided many, many massages for people with advanced illness and at the end-of-life.

It wasn’t until I discovered the real power of touch that I understood why patients are more relaxed, more comfortable and have a sense of well-being.

What I learned completely changed the way I provide massage.

It’s a gift to hold this space with all of you. I hope it can be a space where you can say yes to your longing to help those around you who are hurting due to emotional or physical pain.  An opportunity to say yes to use your hands to make a difference.