Last month I traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the first time. There, I earned 16 live Continuing Education (CE) hours and a certification in Myofascial Swedish massage. As a Licensed Las Vegas massage therapist, I’m always looking for ways to deepen my practice.

People ask why I say I'm forming a platypus bill with my hands instead of duck bill. It’s not just a quirky choice. It’s a way to explain how I approach healing, especially for those struggling with chronic pain. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. My degree taught me that the platypus is a unique species. Unbeknownst to many, a platypus bill is soft, sensitive, and collects sensory feedback. That’s the kind of touch I bring to my bodywork, and i

I had the rare opportunity to join this world by providing sports massage to the artists and crew backstage at the Kà Theatre inside the MGM Grand.

When Chris invited me to join a "Cirquassage Event," where I could practice sports massage on Kà performers, technicians, and staff, I didn’t hesitate. Before the event, we had two sessions to discuss expectations and practice sports massage techniques. Sports massage differs from therapeutic or spa-style massage.

Recently, I have had the privilege of learning from Chris Melmoth, who specializes in soft tissue manipulation at the deep fascial layer. This has added another valuable dimension to my education at the European Massage Therapy School.

It's truly been a transformational experience to learn from Chris. Chris has personally helped me overcome stubborn pain and restrictions, as well as several of my friends. He is a Master at his craft, and has the wisdom and experience and professionalism to help heal others through touch.

This case demonstrates that deep MFR taught by my instructor, Chris Melmoth, is a profoundly effective alternative (or complement) to traditional deep tissue massage techniques. While deep tissue targets muscle hypertonicity, Chris's style of deep MFR addresses the connective tissue system that can hold and restrict a body’s structure and movement.