To complement the MASSAGE Magazine article, “Best Practices: Kathleen Stockwell-Farwell,” in the September 2012 issue. Article summary: Kathleen Stockwell-Farwell, 50, of Nashua Medical Fitness and Massage LLC in Nashua, New Hampshire, specializes in deep-tissue as well as sports and rehabilitation massage. She graduated from the Stillpoint School of Massage in Hatfield (now located in Greenfield), Massachusetts. She has been practicing for 25 years and has been in private practice since 2001. She resides in Hollis, New Hampshire, with her son, Connor.
When and how did you decide massage was the right career for you?
A: I worked full time in physical therapy, then in massage therapy. I had a lot of fun with massage—teaching at night, volunteering at the Olympics and Boston Marathon—but physical therapy was my full-time job. When I was laid off from physical therapy, I started supplementing with massage and it really took off. When I became pregnant with my son, I knew then that massage would be the best choice for my family. The flexibility of being able to set my own hours and days was, and still is, priceless.
What was your training?
A: The Stillpoint technique was actually designed to be an energy work. That was my base, but they brought in a sports-massage therapist one weekend and I was hooked. I became certified as sports-massage therapist the next year, after I graduated. Ever since, every course I take is related to chronic pain and injury relief. I base much of my work on James Waslaski’s Orthomassage now, but the tools in my toolbox include the Muscle Release Technique, neuromuscular therapy, trigger-point work, John Barnes, P.T.’s myofascial release work and Ben Benjamin’s work.
What percentage of your massage sessions consists of deep-tissue work?
A: I am a muscle massage therapist. My massages are deeper in that they always access muscle, therefore, I would say aside from about 10 percent of my clients, all sessions are deep tissue to some degree.
Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Massage therapy is the best job in the world. Everyone wants the services you provide, they hate to leave and can’t wait to see you again.