How my journey began

Allison became interested in health and wellness in her teens, as well as an interest in massage. She developed a fascination with how the body works like an intricate machine, and how it adapts to protect itself after injury. As she learned new ideas, it only increased her interest in finding ways to help correct muscular imbalances that develop from altered mechanics that can lead to further injuries and issues, if left untreated. 

Allison believes that pain is a guide, to help tell us what we can do without causing further injury. She feels that you don’t have to endure pain, in order to see results in your massage. Pain is there to tell us something and the problem isn’t always where the pain is, but it can help us to discover the problem and work towards some resolution of symptoms.

She strongly believes in collaboration with other healthcare providers. Each provider can put together a piece of the puzzle, but can’t always complete the whole puzzle on their own. She believes in referring out to other providers that are outside the scope of massage therapy, when she deems that it is in the client’s best interests, because that is what is most important to her, at the end of the day.

She is an Iowa State University grad, where she studied Athletic training. While at ISU she worked with a variety of sports before heading to grad school at Minnesota State-Mankato. After graduate school, Allison returned to Iowa and accepted a position as a licensed athletic trainer with UnityPoint Health System and Grandview University (GVU). Allison is active and is an avid sports fan, who not only loves sports but has worked with them for years as an athletic trainer. That experience led to following her passion for helping others, into the massage realm. 

Allison followed her passion and attended massage therapy school at Body Wisdom, where she specialized in sports, orthopedic, and medical massage therapy.  Upon obtaining her massage therapy license, she entered private practice as Serene Strength Massage, while still maintaining her Certified Athletic Trainer credential. 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Licensed Massage Therapist, State of Iowa, 2018-present
Association of Massage and Bodywork Professionals, 2017-present
Licensed Athletic Trainer, State of Iowa, 2008-present
NATABOC (National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification), 2008-present
NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) Member, 2005-present