Elizabeth Quick Graduated from Irene’s September 2007

Irene’s – Why did you choose massage therapy as a career?

Elizabeth – I wanted to be in the field to assist people with pain be it physical or emotional. With all the side effects of medications, I thought if I could help someone not have to take one pill or prolong the need for surgical intervention, that was the field for me.

Irene’s – Where do you practice massage therapy? 

Elizabeth – After years of moving around from spas to chiropractors, to teaching massage, I opened my own practice in Allen Park MI. I finally feel like this is the right path for me.

Irene’s – What is the most rewarding part of your massage career? 

Elizabeth – The most rewarding part is both having a career where people are always happy to see me and only needing one job to support my family.

Irene’s – Do you have a favorite memory from massage school? 

Elizabeth – Sitting with Irene and talking with her. My favorite because she was a wealth of knowledge and a feisty woman.

Irene’s – What was the best class you took at Irene’s massage school? 

Elizabeth – I would have to say orthopedic massage.

Irene’s – What bodywork modalities or massage techniques do you find most effective? 

Elizabeth – isometric, positional release or anything Irene called “Muscle mechanics.”

Irene’s – What was your greatest success with a massage client? 

Elizabeth – Greatest success with a client was taking a person that was told they would never get out of a wheelchair and our sessions started as palliative care. Upon noticing major nerves being choked by soft tissue we both agreed to see where it could go. Over the span of a year, two weekly sessions we went from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane. They were able to walk again.

Irene’s – Where is the first place you worked after you graduated from massage school? 

Elizabeth – A small spa called Angel Day spa, but they have since closed.

Irene’s – What do you do for self-care to provide longevity for your massage career? 

Elizabeth – I get a 90-minute massage twice a month, daily stretching, and Epsom salt bath nightly.

Irene’s – To what do you attribute your success as a massage therapist? 

Elizabeth – My stubborn spirit that will not let me give up, taking care of myself, continuing my education, and knowing when to rest.

Irene’s – What marketing do you feel has worked best to promote your massage practice? 

Elizabeth – Word of mouth, social media, and events in the community. I am also a VA care-approved provider.

Irene’s – What do you feel was the biggest mistake you made as a massage therapist and how did you address it? 

Elizabeth – The biggest mistake was thinking people would run to my table. Also staying in places where I felt unhappy.  Creating a niche for myself and properly promoting help. Also being in my own space makes me happy.

Irene’s – What continuing education have you taken after graduating from massage school? 

Elizabeth – EFT, Orthopedic classes, energy work, anything to broaden my range of modalities.

Irene’s – Do you have any advice for new massage therapists? 

Elizabeth – Expect to work hard, make a name for yourself, most importantly use your “fresh out of school” time to figure out where you fit in the massage world.

Irene’s – What is the best way for massage clients to contact you? 

Elizabeth – My website www.justbeneaththeskin.com

Irene’s Myomassology Institute is a nationally accredited massage therapy school located in Southfield, Michigan.  Scholarships and Financial Aid are available for qualified students to help them pay school tuition.  Our students graduate with a state license prepared for a successful career as a massage therapist.  Irene’s lifetime job placement services maintain an abundance of massage career opportunities for our alumni.  Irene’s student massage clinic provides affordable massage to the public with discounted prices for seniors and veterans. Irene’s massage supply store equips massage therapists with the necessities to manage a successful career.