Wendy graduated from ASHA in December 2008. She specializes in neuromuscular massage   and pregnancy massage, which she practices at ASHA’s Wellness Center as well as out of her home in Alpharetta. She also performs Watsu water therapy at a location in Decatur. She is currently studying craniosacral therapy.
 
Before becoming a massage therapist, Wendy was a software engineer. This is part of the reason she gravitates towards neuromuscular massage, which is all about problem solving. When a client comes to the clinic, wishing to be relieved of pain, a neuromuscular therapist must analyze the client’s pain patterns and posture and determine the most effective solution to alleviate the unnecessary muscle tension. Wendy enjoys solving these puzzles and rejoicing when the client leaves feeling healthier and happier.
 
Wendy understands first-hand the potency of the power of informed touch. She had a stroke in February 2007. It disabled her entire left side. Physical therapists worked with her and helped her relearn to walk and use her left arm and hand. They successfully restored her FUNCTION, but they were not able to restore her FEELING. Although she could use her left side, she could not feel it. A year after her stroke, she started massage school. After months of touching and getting touched often, her feeling was restored in her left side. She can again discern pressure, temperature, and texture with her left hand. She can again feel the deep muscles in her left leg. She can now even feel the trigger points and other anomalies beneath her fingers during a massage session – a level of sensation she never expected to achieve! Physical therapy restored her function, but it took TOUCH therapy to fully restore her to normal.
 
Without proper sensation, due to lack of feeling, distorted feeling, or pain, it is difficult to have full movement and coordination. Your muscles simply don’t want to work properly. It is amazing how many small everyday tasks can be difficult when you suffer from pain or from a disability. Wendy’s ordeal made her realize how much proper sensory input is just as important to normal functioning as motor abilities are. It also made here aware of the potency of the power of touch. It improves the circuits in your brain, puts you in an emotional state to better allow healing, and improves the coordination between the muscles and the brain.
 
Having recovered from both a disabling stroke and from fibromyalgia, Wendy has a lot of empathy for people who are in pain or are disabled. She is dedicated to enabling your wellness. If you, too, need the healing power of informed touch, please come see Wendy Elmore at ASHA.