Meet Desiree Pohl | Medical Assistant & Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desiree Pohl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desiree, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I think one of the biggest things about my industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is how many kinds of massage are out there. When people hear about massage, they often think of traditional Swedish or spa treatments that are primarily meant for relaxation. If you were to go to a day or beauty spa, you would most likely receive this type of massage for stress or tension relief that may also include masks, scrubs, or aromatherapy.

There are other types of massage, some of which include oncology massage, sports massage, reflexology, hot stone, or infant/prenatal massage. I specialize in medical/orthopedic massage, which involves more deep tissue techniques. I see people of all ages suffering from things like chronic pain, injuries, and even postoperative care. I would say the most common injuries are those affecting the back, neck, and shoulders. On occasion, I see people with knee or hip replacements and athletes. In my line of work, we focus less on relaxation and more on working out the “knots” or adhesions in your tissues. We also focus more on musculoskeletal assessment that helps restore the body’s natural balance, helps reduce soft tissue pain, and also helps increase flexibility. The majority of people I see are generally using massage therapy in conjunction with another treatment, such as chiropractic or physical therapy.

As a medical/orthopedic massage therapist, I like coordinating with different members of the patient’s healthcare team so that we can come up with a treatment plan that helps them get to feeling better sooner. I enjoy referrals from other healthcare providers for medical massage because it helps the patient tackle their health issues from a variety of perspectives and for me, keeps patients safer when I am more aware of their medical history.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own and operate Resilient Massage & Bodywork LLC in downtown Colorado Springs. One of the things that sets me apart from other therapists in town is my background in the medical field. After high school, I received a diploma as a Medical Assistant and then worked at Memorial Hospital Downtown in the cardiology department for a while. My understanding of anatomy and pharmacology has really helped me as a Massage Therapist and seems to make my patients feel more comfortable too. Additionally, my background in the medical field has made me less scared to work with health insurance companies, so I do currently accept certain Cigna plans and hope to expand that in the future. Oddly enough, my background as a paralegal also helped me become a better business owner by learning the ins and outs of what ‘not’ to do and how to present yourself as a qualified, respectable, healthcare professional.

I am just proud to be able to continue building my business and network with other individuals. I am an independent contractor with Medical Massage of the Rockies (MMR) and I see some of the patients from Colorado Center of Orthopedic Excellence (CCOE). Both of these businesses have been gracious enough to send me people who I enjoy seeing and I feel like I’m making a difference in my community. Like I mentioned before, I’ve made a few career changes in my life so becoming a Massage Therapist wasn’t always my dream. Truthfully, I wanted to be a doctor or a physical therapist for the longest time, but student loans and time just weren’t as appealing to me. Having suffered from a number of orthopedic injuries and surgeries myself, I wasn’t sure this type of career would even be possible but with all of my supporters, I’m making it and doing what I now enjoy!

I just want people to know that as cliche’ as it sounds, I truly enjoy helping others. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people come in and feel better after massage therapy. I take great pride in being a part of peoples’ lives as well as their health and wellness. For me, it’s a huge compliment to get a referral, a good review, or good feedback. Also, while massage therapy is how I make a living, I want people to know that it’s important for me to keep my rates affordable and offer things like insurance pay or insurance reimbursement so that everyone has a chance to come see me if they want.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, we’d probably start with more of the “touristy” spots that Colorado Springs has to offer. I would say breakfast at New Day Cafe or Snooze would be in order because they have some amazing dishes. Then, we’d need to check out Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. I suppose I’d show them the famous “Incline” but not sure we’d climb it. Still, Manitou Springs has some cute shops and fun things to check out. Lunch at the Greek Cafe would be mandatory because their food is amazing. Afterwards, I wouldn’t mind stopping by Sun Water Spa for a massage or soak before dinner at Rasta Pasta or Odyssey Gastropub. Finally, we’d end the evening downtown at two of my favorite places: Rendezvous Martini Bar or Cowboy’s. Both of these places are my favorite to visit depending on my mood and if I want to be a part of the crowd or just chill with some good conversation.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are several people I’d love to mention who helped me get to where I am today. My family is full of supporters who’ve helped shape the person I am today. My husband, Josh, has seen me change careers a few times since we’ve been together, and he’s never doubted my abilities or desire to help others. I also had a lot of support when I was in school for massage therapy. Everyone from my instructors to visitors were a part of helping me achieve my goals. I would also love to give a shoutout to Jennifer Ackland from Jenland Massage & Esthetics in Colorado Springs for supporting me, helping teach me, and being a great sounding board while I was in school and when I ventured out on my own. I also want to thank my mentor, Carrie Nolan from Wild Moon Clinical Massage, for helping me build my confidence, perfect my techniques, and for giving me sound advice as a small business owner; both of these women are an invaluable part of my career. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who’s supported me and helped me grow this business. Nothing I do would be possible without people who come see me, so it’s really the public and my patrons who also deserve a shoutout for being awesome and coming to see me!

Website: https://www.massagebook.com/biz/Resilient_Massage

Instagram: @resilientmassageco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResilientMassage

Image Credits
Logo By: Next Level Management