Massage therapist aims to help people

In her dedication to utilizing massage therapy as a tool to help alleviate pain, stress and injury; Chelle Mitchell, has opened a new business, Cherry Creek Myotherapy, which now allows her to bring her background in massage to the locals of Thompson Falls and surrounding areas. Cherry Creek Myotherapy was founded by Mitchell, a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), who also has a Bachelor of Arts Degrees in human studies and psychology.

She has been providing massage therapy in Montana since 2018. "I love the work that I do, it's been such a passion for the last 27 years," Mitchell said. Mitchell and her husband have family in Great Falls and Lincoln, and one of the reasons that brought them to Montana. "We love Montana, and we chose Montana because we love to kayak, boat, hike, fish and camp," she said. "It's so beautiful here. I also grew up in the mountains of Washington, and this feels like home to me."

While she has been a LMT since 1995, her work as a case manager for Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services, has provided a unique set of credentials that allows her to provide compassion and understanding to every client she sees. While her passion to help people provided the backdrop for her career in social work, she knew her true calling was to help people through massage therapy. "With massage therapy, I can still help people. I can help connect people with their bodies, and I can help people with their pain" Mitchell said.

Mitchell has first-hand experience with the very pain she tries to help alleviate in her clients. "I was in five car accidents before I was 21," she said. "I had so much pain in my body, and all I was told was, 'you just have to learn to live with this,' and I thought to myself, I'm just too young to live with this kind of pain." After only two hours with a massage therapist, her pain subsided so much that it turned into her inspiration to become a massage therapist. "I've experienced that pain and hearing people say there's nothing you can do about it. If I can help someone the way that massage therapist helped me, well that's a life well lived," Mitchell stated.

Mitchell also believes that as people age, they shouldn't be in pain. "We have this idea in our heads, as we get older, that's when the pain comes," Mitchell said. "We should just be able to age, we just need to take care of our bodies. I don't think there's any age where we should feel pain."

As Mitchell works to continue and further along her education as a massage therapist, she has participated in research groups that study the effectiveness of massage in treating chronic conditions such as Fibromyalgia. She is an Arthritis Foundation trained life coach, utilizing massage and activities of daily life to help those in chronic pain live full lives. Mitchell has also worked in medical facilities with hospice and coma patients to help alleviate muscle pain and muscle atrophy. She has more than 20 years of successful experience working with clients who have suffered injury in automotive accidents, from whiplash to paralysis.

When a client is welcomed into Cherry Creek Myotherapy, they will enter a relaxing, private space. Mitchell incorporates Swedish Massage techniques in combination with cranial sacral work, muscle energy techniques, and myofascial release. As needed, sessions are supplemented by additional treatment modalities such as hydrotherapy. Mitchell is committed to bringing the best therapeutic approach to her clients, individualized for every session. A client's privacy is always respected, draping is always utilized, and HIPPA guidelines are followed.

In the age of the coronavirus, Cherry Creek Myotherapy takes the health and safety of the clients as the utmost importance. Mitchell's education has allowed her to face the virus head on without it impeding on her business. "As a massage therapist, my training was pretty in depth when it comes to the manifestation and transmission of diseases. So, this is not the first virus I've dealt with," Mitchell said.

Mitchell says universal precautions are always taken, and she always sanitizes everything her clients come in contact with. "Handwashing is the first thing I do before a massage and right after. Sanitizing has always been my practice," Mitchell stated. When the protocols were released, they were nothing new to me. Wearing a mask was the only thing I didn't do before."

While Mitchell says she does not require her clients to wear a mask during a massage, she will wear one if a client feels they are immunocompromised. "I respect the vulnerability when my clients come to see me, but I also make sure they get the air they need when they are on the bed." When each client comes in, they will receive a short intake form that asks about the client's history, as well as their history with COVID-19. If someone has symptoms, she politely asks that the client reschedule their appointment. "Part of that agreement and me being there, tells the client that I am also symptom free," Mitchell said.

As Mitchell's motto goes, "life is too short to be lived in pain." Mitchell is a strong supporter of the benefits of massage, and hopes her knowledge and experience can help anyone who is in pain. Call, text, or email for further information or to schedule an appointment. Mitchell can be reached at [email protected] or (406) 290-8991.