We recently connected with Lindsay Patterson-Shank and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

As a Massage Therapist, my specialty area is working on neck and shoulder issues. I have had most clients report that they’ve never had anyone work their neck & shoulders as thoroughly as I do. One of my favorite client success stories is a gentleman I started working with who had sustained significant soft tissue damage in his neck, shoulders, and back from a couple of motorcycle racing accidents. He had tried a few other therapies, such as acupuncture & chiropractic care, but was still suffering with chronic pain and limited range of motion through his upper back and into his neck. After his first couple of massage sessions, with focused work to address these problem areas, he noted feeling nearly pain-free after 2 years of chronic aches & pains!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Although I was drawn to massage therapy as a natural wellness practice from a young age, I initially went down the traditional college path, earning a BS in Community Health Education. After working in the substance abuse prevention world for a few years, I quickly came to learn that a traditional desk/9 to 5 job was not for me. During this time, I always had in the back of my mind that maybe I should become a massage therapist; and after a series of events colliding, I made the jump to quit my job and go back to school to pursue this passion.

As a Massage Therapist, I am passionate about meeting my clients where they are, listening to their unique concerns, and structuring each massage session around delivering an amazing therapeutic experience every time. I have personally received massages where the MTs were talented, but it felt like no matter what I told them was bothering me that they were working through a cookie-cutter massage routine. While that may appeal to some, it is what has driven me to provide a more personalized & tailored massage experience and is what I bring differently to the (massage) table.

I opened my own practice, Helping Hands Massage, this past year to bring my talent & skills to the larger Baraboo area. My business name reiterates my overall belief that it is not my job to “fix you,” but to address your problem areas and help you tune into your body. I use a combination of Swedish and deeper, therapeutic techniques to help you relax while also providing tension relief in those pesky spots! I also believe that communication, education, and regular self-care, in addition to a massage session, are the most powerful tools for a successful therapeutic relationship between client & therapist!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Massage therapy is a unique business, as marketing strategies that work in other service provider fields (such as hairdressing) aren’t as applicable. A great example of this is that massage therapists can’t really share “before & after” photos, which help give potential clients an idea of what to expect from those service providers. However, what I have found to be very helpful for social media marketing, is highlighting client success stories to showcase the impact that regular massage therapy can have on your wellbeing. In addition to this, I have connected with local chiropractic clinics and other holistic therapy providers for referrals, as these preventative bodywork modalities complement each other extremely well. I also have amazing clients who have been telling their friends & family, helping to spread the word about my services within their networks.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Besides my knowledge and training, I believe that my passion for helping others and listening to my clients’ unique needs is what helps me to be a successful MT. I also receive regular bodywork myself, utilizing massage/chiropractic/acupuncture/etc, stretch and exercise, and do my best to eat well to maintain my own health & wellness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://helpinghands-massage.square.site/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560464794778

Image Credits

Midwest Vintage Photography, Kristen Hendrickson