Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Alexander Bailey.
Dr. Bailey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got started by “accident” (although I do not believe there are really any accidents). My first (somewhat short lived) career was as a clothing designer- something I was good at but hated the corporate aspect. One day I was watching a movie with a friend who had asked me to rub their shoulders, So I started to and they commented how great I was at it. I remember thinking to myself “I am actually enjoying this”. From there (mind you this was in 2005), I started looking at massage videos online, bought a used massage table on eBay, and started making it a fun hobby. Friends would come over with a bottle of wine, or buy me dinner etc. in exchange for me working on them. Then it grew to friends of friends. About a year or so later I decided to go to school properly, study, get my license. I really had no idea where it would take me at the time I was in school, but it rekindled my love for the human body and sciences. (I had study a lot of this in high school and even thought about going into biology but for some reason I decided to pursue a degree in fine arts).
From then and now it has been an amazing road: I worked out of my house at first, then I had a variety of jobs at different places: health clubs, high end spas, hospice, and massage centers. I knew early on working for someone else 100% wasn’t for me so I took what I learned as a clothing designer when I did custom work on the side and used the same business approaches and started venturing out on my own until I was fully connected having my own business. Today it has expanded (and is continuing to) in services offered- this has happened as my education and scope of practice has increased.
Right now, I am very focused on building more continuing education and career building for newly licensed massage therapists.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t believe in anything being a “smooth road” when it comes to growth. I would say the hardest struggle I faced is learning how to properly market myself. I am licensed as massage therapist but also am a personal trainer with a variety of specialties including nutrition and corrective exercise. In addition, I have an MS in Exercise Science and a PhD in Kinesiology. This hybrid background and level of education is definitely a rarity; this initially made it a challenge explaining to people what I do and how that differs in someone who is solely a Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, or Massage Therapist. I like to call myself a hybrid of sorts because I do have such a broad scope and have studied with a variety of different health care providers who focus on manual medicine. From there I have taken the best pieces (for me) and have formed a truly integrative approach with my work.
Chicago Align Therapeutics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
It is a private studio located in the heart of River North in the city. I primarily focus on pain management, sports, and fitness. People I see span from athletes, dancers, MMA fighters, weekend warriors, people with posture issues (whether it’s from having a desk job or a diagnosis like scoliosis) etc. I provide a variety of services including: manual therapy, personal training, nutrition coaching, and health workshops (workplace posture and nutrition). I think the thing that truly sets my company apart from the rest is that I like to consider it a “one stop shop”. Many people I see utilize several different services that seamlessly integrate for a truly holistic approach to wellness. For example, I work with a lot of runners that come to me to work out the tension and pain in their body but sometimes they need corrective work to help any muscle imbalances to help with sports performance and/or to prevent injuries. Sometimes their diet is also an issue to and there are things I can suggest to help with inflammation, recovery etc.
Another example is some of my personal training clients who also see me monthly for massage- I have the unique benefit of being able to see them working out and bring that knowledge into their massage sessions. Clients and patients really like the “full circle” approach and relationship we have.
I also have another company called Body Align Therapy Education Systems which is primarily geared towards licensed massage therapists. I offer a variety of continuing education workshops for professionals in addition to that I am planning on launching a virtual mentor ship program next year. I’m very excited about this as I feel there is a huge gap specifically for new therapists and have found over the years as an adjunct faculty member teaching at massage schools that there is a real disservice in helping new therapists figure out how to really make this a long term career. The industry has changed a lot since I started in 2005 and I had to learn through trial and error what works for me. Other things I am working on is a self-care book for massage therapists to help them keep their bodies healthy for career longevity and online courses to add with the live workshops. It’s going to be an exciting 2018!
Contact Info:
- Address: 101 West Grand Avenue.
Suite 300 - Website: www.bodyaligntherapy.com
- Phone: 3128996407
- Email: alex@bodyaligntherapy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodyaligntherapy/
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