Lisa didn’t start out to be a registered massage therapist. In fact it didn’t enter her mind until she was in her 40s! Before that she worked as a writer, researcher, conference organizer, book reviewer, science fiction quiz writer and orthodontic claims adjuster. She also spent 7 years volunteering on SHARE’s Coquitlam Crisis and Information Line where she became a volunteer representative, newsletter co-editor and training instructor. She received awards for Volunteer of the Year and the Hank Byl award for completing 1000+ hours on the phone line.

The inspiration for becoming a massage therapist came from visiting her father during his battle with cancer. “While radiation and medication were working on his cancer, the only ‘treatment’ that made him feel better, rather than worse was when I gave him shoulder or back rubs. He said I should think about doing it professionally.” A few years later, feeling a need to work with people in a helping capacity, Lisa investigated Registered Massage Therapy and found it was a good fit.

She has been practicing since 2005 and started her own clinic, Blue Mountain Massage Therapy in 2016. She still finds the work satisfying and interesting, and has a particular affinity for treating patients with chronic pain.

“It’s sometimes hard for people to understand that some people don’t get better, or even get worse over time. You can’t necessarily “fix” them but its very satisfying when you can give some pain relief, improved mobility and improved quality of life”

Lisa has travelled widely, from South America to China to Iceland. She has come to call the Lower Mainland home since 1989. and lives in Coquitlam with her husband and two dogs. Her hobbies are reading, writing, walking and attempting to take up knitting.

Lisa didn’t start out to be a registered massage therapist. In fact it didn’t enter her mind unt... Read More