I always knew I wanted a career in the medical field hence I have a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from the University of California - Santa Cruz. Go Banana Slugs!
I had plans of pursuing physical therapy afterward, but instead, I was sent to China to work in a global corporation where I was an account manager. I learned to negotiate, liaised between factory and company, and placate difficult clients - all in a foreign language. Working in China was enjoyable and it gave me a new perspective on people. I did not dislike the work, but that was what my parents wanted for me, and not what I wanted for myself. After 4 years, I returned to the U.S.; I was older, more mature, and more determined to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a physical therapist. You could say I came full circle back to what I originally wanted for myself.
I began by taking prerequisite courses, as well as, other courses related for PT. While concurrently working at a radiology clinic as a transcriber and a medical assistant. Even though it is unrelated to physical therapy, it keeps me involved in the medical field.
However, before going any further into physical therapy, I believe I need a deeper understanding of the human anatomy. As follows, I enrolled in the 800-hour core massage therapy program at National Holistic Institute - A College of Massage Therapy, where I will have more familiarity with soft tissue manipulation and the human body. NHI's curriculum consisted of modalities in both the Western and Eastern, which provided me with the tools that would allow me to meet my client's individual needs as well as holistic needs.
I enjoyed the program immensely and I have come to resonate strongly with the profession, ethos, and philosophies of massage therapy that I have pivoted to becoming a licensed massage therapist rather than a physical therapist.
Fun fact....Between 1854 and 1918, Massage Therapy developed into a legitimate healthcare profession from which the field of physical therapy was born.