The newest Comfort Craft Table owner is…

Congratulations to our February Comfort Craft Table Owner of the Month.

 

Louann Cranford of Caring Touch Myotherapy has been a Comfort Craft Table owner since 2006. We asked Louann to share her love for the Massage Therapy Industry by answering the following questions:

1.What do you like best about this industry?  

I love being able to help my clients get out of and stay out of pain. Louann Cranford 3432 lg

2.What made you become a massage therapist? 

While working in an industry where you are always 30 days away from not having a job, I decided that it was time I “took charge” of my future and do something I wanted to. I had also been in 3 automobile accidents with lasting detrimental effects.   Massage was used as part of my rehab from one of the accidents.  The therapist kept telling me to consider “doing this because you have the personality and tenacity that it requires.”  After a devastating event 11 years later, I decided to “turn lemons into lemonade” and go to massage school.  It was definitely different than what I thought but with perseverance, I was able to graduate with honors.  Now I can relate to and help people who have been in auto accidents as well as other aches and pains.

3.Where is the farthest you have traveled to attend a seminar or convention? 

James Waslaski does a Seminar At Sea. He changes the destinations but I went to the Caribbean on one of these seminars.  Lots of fun and learning too!

4.What factors inspired you to purchase a Comfort Craft table? 

I was at one of James Waslaski’s orthopedic seminars and he was using the Comfort Craft table as I loved all the possibilities that it afforded in working on the client. 

5.How have your clients responded to the table? 

One client had been in considerable lower back pain and nothing I did seemed to have long lastingShe doesn’t like chiropractors so I decided to use the inversion option of my Custom Craft table to see if we could add some space between her vertebrae.  She said it “made all the difference in the world” and her lower back pain is now almost totally gone.

 

6.If you had one bit of advice for a new therapist just starting their career, what would it be?  

My advice to a new therapist just starting their career would be to do anything necessary to purchase a Comfort Craft table as soon as possible. This table has “saved my bacon” in so many instances!  I have several LARGE clients and need to adjust the table during the session.  You can’t do that with a stationary table.  Because it is also handicapped rated, you are not leaving out any portion of the potential client base around you.  My “seasoned” clients love the fact the table goes down to 18” off the floor!

7.What is your favorite technique/modality you use in your practice? Has the Comfort Craft table assisted you in this? 

 I use a lot of the orthopedic protocols learned in James Waslaski’s seminar. The moveable headrest on my Comfort Craft helps tremendously while working on the head and neck areas of my clients as well as giving me different options on how to stretch the muscles with the ability to raise and lower the headrest.  And then there is the inversion option…can’t say enough good things about that.

 

Early in my massage career, I found a copy of MASSAGE THERAPIST’S PRAYER by an unknown author.  This is truly the way I feel about my massage career.

 

 Let me dedicate my life today

To the care of those who come my way.

 Let me touch each one with healing hands,

 And the healing art for which I stand.

 Let the Divine force flow from me to you,

 Let our energy and spirit renew.

 And tonight when day is done,

 Let me rest in peace if I helped just one.

 

 

Louann Cranford BS, LMT, ACMT, CLP graduated in December 1998 with honors from the Skilled Touch Program of Wellness Skills, Inc., located in Fort Worth, TX.  She received her massage therapy license in June 1999 from the Texas Department of State Health Services and is also a certified member (ACMT) of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) as well as a Certified Lypossage Practitioner (CLP).  Louann owns Caring Touch Myotherapy and provides her services located within Duncanville Electrolysis and Laser Clinic in Duncanville, TX.

In addition to her massage therapy training and certifications, Louann is also a graduate of Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX with a BS Degree in Business Education.  She became a high school business teacher and taught for 6 years before entering the business world as an executive assistant.  Her experience in a variety of industries gives her extensive knowledge of the multiple positions used to perform tasks in the workplace.  This knowledge enhances her ability to envision various muscle movements and reactions that may lead to stresses, strains, sprains, and tension.  The ability to identify repetitive muscle movements assists her in finding the proper ways to help clients overcome those restrictions that cause pain.   In fact, some of her clients refer to her as “the finder” and “magic hands!”

Louann’s strong belief in continuing education has resulted in extensive advanced training that she believes assists her clients to live life to the fullest and furthers her quest of being the best possible therapist.  She began advanced training immediately upon graduation and continues to carefully select courses in order to be a knowledgeable resource for her clients.  

Her advanced education includes, but is not limited to, training in the following modalities: 

  • Orthopedic/Clinical massage
  • Lypossage
  • Myofascial release
  • Migraine management
  • Reflexology
  • Prenatal/Pregnancy
  • Lymphatic Drain/Detox massage

Louann also is a partner with Hands for Heroes, a national organization of health care professionals who donate their time and skills to provide therapeutic bodywork for our nation’s veterans.

 

 

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