Monika Piatt joins massage therapy team at GreenRidge

For Monika Piatt, joining the team of health professionals at GreenRidge Physical Therapy and Wellness brings with it a satisfying sense of coming full circle. Once upon a time, her dream was to be a nurse; she completed the nursing prerequisites back in college but never finished that degree. In her new career as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), she's gratified to be helping folks with chronic pain or in recovery from surgery on their road back to wellness.

"I have a heart to help people. It's rewarding to be a part of a patient's overall healing process - mind, body and spirit," says Monika.

As part of an active outdoor-oriented family, she's had plenty of opportunities to witness the benefits of massage; husband Lance and son Torrey nursed their fair share of injuries over the years. "I'd been able to see the amazing healing results, especially when combined with physical therapy," she says.

Monika even experienced those benefits first-hand, when postural issues drove her to seek massage treatment herself from a local LMT. "Diane Flowers was one of my inspirations as well as one of my instructors," she says.

Flowers teaches at Sage School of Massage and Healing Arts in Bend, one of only two COMTA-accredited massage schools in the state.

"It was a big decision to go back to school at age 49," says Monika. The integrated and accelerated licensing program requires a nine-month, full-time commitment. "Thankfully I had the love and support of my family because they felt it the most. They're proud of me."

In fact, it was her son's graduation from high school in 2008 that first sparked Monika's motivation.

She and Lance have operated an online retail outfit, Rescue Response Gear, out of Sisters for the past 13 years. Until recently, she manned the bookkeeping end of things.

Launching Torrey off after high school, to pursue film-production internships, ushered in a season of change for the family.

"Lance and Torrey really encouraged me to do something I really wanted to do," says Monika.

Researching massage therapy led her to speak to local LMTs Beth Hummel and Kathy Diener, in addition to Flowers. "One thing they all had to say is that it's the most rewarding thing they've ever done."

Her mid-life career change was also inspired by a growing regard for the medical benefits of massage by the health community. "The fact that massage is now recognized as part of health care also motivated me - and to be able to work with patients."

Today, more insurance companies cover complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies, allowing patients to rely less heavily on prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Monika points out that among many other benefits, massage is known to decrease chronic pain, anxiety, muscle soreness and postural issues.

She takes daily inspiration from a poem titled "A Massage Therapist's Prayer." The closing line reads: "At night, when day is done, let me rest in peace if I helped just one."

The wellness team at GreenRidge now includes three physical therapists and five massage therapists. Monika says, "I'm honored to be a part of the team at GreenRidge."

When she's not healing folks, you're likely to find her hiking, running, stand-up paddling or cross-country skiing the local trails.