Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1512873
Heather Topoly • Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio • Stark State College • Owner, Restorative Massage & Wellness Center, a nine- therapist facility Massage & Bodywork: Can you share the journey that brought you to where you are today? Why massage? Heather Topoly: I never chose massage; it chose me. I am a veteran of the US Navy and served in the reserves for nine years. I have always been interested in the medical fi eld. In the military, I was trained as a combat corpsman; after I got out, I became a nationally registered EMT. After having three children, I went back to school to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant (PTA). During that training, I needed rotator cuff surgery from a car accident. I was receiving massage from a PTA but noticed a huge difference when the massage therapist worked on me. I literally had no interest in doing massage, but thought I would study it to help my PT patients. About halfway through the fi rst semester of massage school, I fell in love with it. I became licensed in January 2010 and continue to love what I do. M&B: You offer an interesting array of modalities. Tell us how this tapestry wove together over the years. HT: I fi nd massage to be a puzzle, and I like when clients leave feeling better. I intertwine everything I have learned over the past 15 years based on what is needed at that moment. I have worked in a wide range of massage businesses, including chiropractic, PT clinics, corporate, and hospice. I have spent seven years of my career in hospice and working in hospitals such as the Cleveland Clinic. I found hospice to be very rewarding, and it changed my perspective on life. I am trained in Reiki II, Craniosacral 3, trigger point, medical massage, and some myofascial work. The majority of my sessions are therapeutic and clinical, with a side of energy work. A B M P m e m b e r s ea r n F R E E C E h o u r s by rea d i n g t h i s i s s u e ! 23 FACES OF BODYWORK Read more about Heather and her massage journey at abmp. com/updates/ blog-posts/ faces-bodywork- heather-topoly.