We recently connected with Jahné Campbell and have shared our conversation below.

Jahné, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you ever experienced a times when your entire field felt like it was taking a U-Turn?

A pivotal field U-turn for the massage therapy industry here in Texas happened a few years back when we stopped being regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to being regulated by Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR.) I feel this move reduced our merit in the medical and health care community. As with Flight Attendants, Massage Therapists have been on a campaign to change the narrative concerning our capacity to be seen as qualified, educated, experts in a niche and integral field of study for decades now. Changing our field terminology from Masseur/Masseuse, which carries a sex work connotation, to Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT is an example of this. Requiring schooling and licensing and continuing education is another example. And finally being under the umbrella of regulation of the State Health Department is another. Being regulated by DSHS acknowledged our qualification and competence as elemental health care providers. Loosing that regulating body, therefore, is a demotion. The consequences of this demotion present in the quality of work a majority of massage therapists have available to them. To provide massage in a medical capacity; pain management, repetitive motion injury management, pre-natal care, ect, requires the oversight of another medical professional. For example a chiropractor. Insurance will pay for chiropractic care after a car accident, but will not necessarily pay for massage therapy unless another practitioner makes the practice part of their treatment plan. A majority of Chiropractors do. They then hire an LMT to complete the majority of their treatment plan, as opposed to referring the client out to an LMT and insurance paying their rate directly. Here’s how I’ve seen the numbers shake out. The Chiropractor hires an LMT as an independent contractor 1099 to avoid labor taxes and offering wage benefits like PTO and health insurance, yet they treat the therapist like a wage employee often asking extra tasks and not respecting any OSHA break rules, at about $25-30/60min session (50min hands on.) They load the therapist up with 8hr days/5 days a week typically Saturdays are required. They have their patients on a treatment plan that requires massage 2-3x/wk for 90 days. They charge the insurance company $60/massage in the treatment plan. The Chiropractor profits heavily off the expertise and physical labor they acknowledge by even making them such a large factor in the treatment plan in the first place.
For the LMT this is the industry norm and leaves them with poor quality employment options that exploit their bodies and expertise.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

2. For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about:

A. yourself,
I am a black woman, mother to a beautiful little boy, healer, entrepreneur, amateur chef, gardener, leftist, environmentalist.

B. how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc,

It was actually an accident. My friend wanted to go to school for it, but didn’t want to go alone. I had just finished community college and was at an age before I could file my FASFA without my parents, so I was experiencing a bit of a gap year in my education. I loved school and thought, why not? Better wage than waiting tables and retail and the deal at the school was too good to pass up. So, I went and loved it! Had my first massage in school. I felt at home in a spa. It speaks to a lot of my personality. I enjoy the atmosphere and working with the public one on one. The job satisfaction is immediate and immense. I often get hugs all day.

I got into entrepreneurship after the shutdown happened during the pandemic. The spa I worked for laid everyone off through email. The email stated that no one would be automatically reinstated at full pay and position, every employee would have to be rehired and renegotiate their pay. It felt like a kick in the chest. I knew the only true job security was in what i could security I could give myself. So, I set out on my own. I started as a strictly mobile service at first. This allowed me higher sanitation control. And I have grown to include a studio space my clients are welcome to book.

C. what type of products/services/creative works you provide,

I have been an LMT since 2012. Since then I have taken over 12 additional credit hours of anatomy and physiology and hands on coursework to certify in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques. I have hundreds of hours of experience practicing these modalities as well as pre natal care and spa services.

Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy aims to help retrain the muscle memory of soft tissue that is not functioning properly due to excessive repetitive use. Some common repetitive motion disorders include; TMJ disorder, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and tension headaches. It typically requires a treatment plan of frequent intense sessions on the affected system. As relief ensues and function and range of motion are regained the treatments space out until only regular massage maintenance is needed.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a hypnotic, light pressure massage that manually aids in pushing the lymph fluid of the body to the lymph sites and then helping the lymph nodes filter that liquid. The lymph system is where used and dead white blood cells filter out of the body. White blood cells are our immune system. Filtering out dead white blood cells that have attacked foreign agents meant to harm the body; bacterias, viruses, and fungi is its detoxifying method. The lymph system filters through the lymph nodes and finally the kidneys to be urinated out of the body. This technique is great for anyone just getting over an illness, recovering from a recent surgery, who has had a lymph site removed, ect.

I differentiate MLD from what I am hearing termed, “ Brazilian MLD Massage.” This is a more aggressive form of the technique aimed at breaking up scar tissue and managing the severe swelling that accompanies elective surgeries like liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lifts, Mommy Makeovers, and the like. I am particularly fond of assisting these clients, as it reinforces what a pivotal role massage therapists can play at the foundational level of healing. When i provide this service I do FAR more than massage. I check for infection. I track the progress of healing. I am there to give anecdotal comfort about the process of healing Ive seen in others and how it compares to their own healing and advise them to seek out their after care support when I do notice something is off. During the massage itself, I am able to feel and manipulate the areas experiencing fibrosis with a degree of sensitivity and adaptability that tools such as wood therapy sticks and cavitation machines lack. My Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage aims to reduce swelling by moving excess fluid to the lymph sites to filter into the kidneys more efficiently, to break up scar tissue for smooth pliable finish, and to shape and define the tissue just as the boards or compression garments assist with.

D. what problems you solve for your clients and/or

I help many clients manage everyday bodily aches and pains coming from the strain of just living our daily lives. I often preach that what we ask of our bodies, it’s important to give back. Rest and recovery are where muscle is built and massage therapy helps with that process.

Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy gives me the skills to help clients with repetitive motion disorders such as; TMJ disorder, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and tension headaches manage their pain chemical and often surgery free.

With my clients seeking Manual Lymphatic Drainage, I have the training and practical experience to cater the MLD massage to their specific needs. The client who has had a lymphadenectomy is not looking for the same service as someone who has recently undergone liposuction even though the service is named the same.

E. what you think sets you apart from others.

I take each service as an opportunity to check in with over-all well-being. My clients can not see their own backs. I am often aware of ingrown hairs, blackheads, and suspicious moles before they are. And the popularity of the show Dr. Pimple Popper will attest to how terribly out of control, uncomfortable, and dangerous those types of issues can be often leading to other health complications.
Our healthcare system model is reactionary. It waits for an issue with the body and then manages the symptoms and issues in the aftermath. Early detection of issues is pivotal to the success of that system. Massage therapy can alert the client who may not have any other early detection means.

F. What are you most proud of and

The faith i demonstrate in myself every day that i wake up and choose to work for myself.

G. what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

Massage is a labor of love. There is a profound energy transfer that occurs that requires a passion for the craft to even harness.
I welcome any and all expressions of the human form with an open, loving, genuine heart. Your peace is my purpose.

Please provide as much detail as you feel relevant as this is one of the core questions where the reader will get to know about you and your brand/organization/etc

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I built my reputation on being consistent with my quality of service. Being quality and service minded at all times adds an element I believe consumers are craving across the board. The corporate model doesn’t have the same flexibility that I do as a business owner to go the extra mile to make a client feel seen. I get to know my clients on a personal level. I understand their lives beyond an annual 10%off birthday coupon. I know which homes to remove my shoes in, the names of their children, their work nemesis, all their massage preferences, ect. I hope doing business with me feels secondary and that my clients feel cared about most of all.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I am learning about business and marketing every day, as I am a Massage Therapist by training, not a business person. I have found that striking a balance between doing the actual work and marketing the work is key. I have found that being active on social media and gently reminding your network of the services you provide is a great avenue for word of mouth client generation.
Finding a booking platform that allows for reviews is key as well. I ask my customers to leave reviews on my booking site and social media. Todays consumer weighs where they invest their money heavily on peer reviews. They want pictures and video of the work. They want descriptions of the entire experience before deciding to spend with you. They also want to know others took a chance on you and it turned out positively.
I spend money where and with other small local businesses and ask that spend their money with me in return.
I am always recommending small businesses to my network to help normalize patronizing small business.
And I participate in events. Networking events and event gigs that get my brand out to a large number of folks at once. I always offer a deal to those who book on the day of the event.
And finally I try to introduce to them to other services I offer to retain clients.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jahnecampbelllmt?igshid=NDc0ODY0MjQ=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jahnecampbelllmt
• Other: Jahnecampbelllmt.booksy.com

Image Credits
Brittany L. Ingram