Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystin Dennie.
Krystin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
About 6 years ago, I’d been working in a full-service salon and spa as a floor assistant (sweeping up hair, doing laundry, cleaning etc.), just trying to make some money while I was in college. I was an English major with the hopes of getting into the publishing industry, but somewhere along the road, I realized that was not the path I was meant to take. Working closely with different types of personal service providers, it didn’t take long for me to see what a positive effect the massage therapists were having on their clients. Witnessing the difference in their faces before and after their sessions really struck a chord in me. So I decided to let go of the college dream and delve into the world of massage therapy.
I decided to attend KeKino Massage Academy in Plano and I absolutely loved it. The instructors were supportive and it was obvious they were passionate about what they were teaching. Once I had completed the 500-hour program, I struggled to figure out what type of setting I thought I’d feel most comfortable in; a relaxing spa environment, or a more medical based chiropractic practice? So, I tried both.
I found I got more satisfaction in helping people that were seeking relief from chronic pain due to our twenty-first century, technological centered lifestyles, or accommodating those who’d been the victim of a car accident, and even people struggling to depression/anxiety and chronic stress. I get the most joy out problem solving, be it physical or emotional, because the two are innately intertwined.
After gaining some experience in both the chiropractic and the spa settings, I decided it was time to open my own practice. I knew I could help my clients learn to heal physically, spiritually and emotionally, in a place that always has a good energy about it.
And that’s when Atherapeutic Massage was born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
“A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.”
There have definitely been ups and downs along this road, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Building a stable clientele takes a lot of work. Maintaining a steady stream of income just to pay the bills is not always easy. However, when you love what you do, it’s all worth the struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Atherapeutic Massage is a genuine blend of relaxation and goal oriented services. My idea of a great massage is one where the client can safely and comfortably enter a state of deep relaxation so that their body allows me to work through the years of mental and physical stress it’s owner has been though without very much, if any physical discomfort from my hands (or elbows).
Let’s face it. We live in an era far different from any before this. We spend so much of our time staring at a screen; whether it’s a phone, TV or computer. We live in a time where we are so accustomed to instant gratification, we sometimes don’t even notice the toll it takes on our minds and bodies until, one day, we’re suffering from severe carpal tunnel syndrome or extreme sciatic pain. Most of us are walking around as if our shoulders were a pair of earrings because we’ve stressed ourselves to the point that our muscles are just a knotted-up mess.
Over time, I’ve come to find there are certain areas of the body that are often overlooked in a typical massage. For example, a proper scalp massage with focused pressure point therapy can relax the entire body and make the client feel as if they’ve melted into a puddle, right there on the table. We therapists can sometimes get lost in routine when working in an establishment where you’re booked solid 6-8 hours, with little time to rest and recuperate between sessions. Setting my own schedule, I make sure to allow enough time between clients so that they get my full attention and we can assign an appropriate treatment plan for their individual needs. When my clients come out of a session with messy hair and a sleepy smile on their face, I know we’ve accomplished our goal.
I use a variety of high quality products to help facilitate the healing process for each client. We spend time practicing stretches and exercises they can do at home or at work to aid them in managing their overall wellbeing. We talk about how beginning a daily meditation routine can help keep stress in check and I offer advice on how to keep up with it and incorporate it into daily life. We focus on issues at hand and work together to resolve them.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small town in North Texas. I was a reader and a dreamer. I had a big imagination and I loved spending time outside. My parents and I lived on a 12-acre piece of property surrounded by cattle, farmland and wide-open spaces. If I had to be inside, you could usually find me building pillow and blanket forts, reading books or playing with my pet cats, Toots, Tiger and Buster. I preferred to be outdoors though, swimming, exploring, riding around in my little go-cart or on the 4-wheeler, my bicycle, or shooting hoops in the driveway. I always kept my parents entertained. I was a ham, growing up. Always being silly and trying to make people laugh.
Contact Info:
- Address: 105 W. Belmont Dr.,
Suite 2, Allen, TX 75013 - Website: www.massagebook.com/atheramassage
- Phone: (214) 544-5744
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atheramassage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atheramassage/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/atherapeutic-massage-allen
Image Credit:
WIL.LOW Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
