Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy McManaway.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Graduated massage school in 1993 and learned that I was better at therapeutic massage versus spa type. I started my career with Dr. Richard Schaefer in Wheeling IL who taught me more about the human body then I could have ever imagined. Growing up on a farm I had a great love for animals so that sent me on a quest to learn how to use therapeutic massage on horses and dogs. One of the things on my Massage bucket list was to learn Lymphatic Massage so I studied and graduated from one of the top lymphatic massage schools.
In my horse practice, I noticed that horses also got Lymphedema. Turning to Google I can across Theresa Mueller who studied Equine Lymphedema in Germany, the only school teaching that in the world. Theresa had then decided to start a school here in the United States. I was one of the first students to graduate from the Holistic Equine Academy of Lymphedema. This last year my canine veterinarian, Dr. James Carlson who performs holistic testing on dogs and cats. He has noticed from these test that their lymphatic systems are sluggish. He then has employed me to work on his canine patients. That we know if I am the only canine Lymphedema therapist in the country.
I love being able to help humans, horses, and dogs.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle is Insurance, the insurance companies use to pay for massage So many people can not afford to have it done as much as they should and people with Lymphedema, the Insurance company will only pay for it if the patient is in a crisis and will not help them with the maintenance part and Lymphedema never goes away and if not managed will only get worse. That’s heartbreaking. This is when I wish our country would take a European approach to health care, “Massage for Everyone”.
Please tell us about Knots Out Theraputics.
Knots Out mostly specializes in injuries such as lower back pain, neck, knee injuries etc. not only using Massage but Microcurrent, Kinesio taping as well as lymphatic Massage all on humans, horses, and dogs. I am not sure who else does all those therapies on all 3 mammals. Lol.
My proudest moment? That’s a tough one. Probably when I see a client and they say “the doctor said no surgery” for them, their horse or dog. Also, my human office located in Alpine Dental, not sure there is a massage therapy business located in a dental office.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
There are so many. I grew up on a farm with outstanding parents and 7 siblings. That is where my love for horses started and there are just so many. I was truly blessed.
Contact Info:
- Address: 428 North Rand Rd
North Barrington IL 60010 - Website: www.knotsoutofyou.com
- Phone: 847-754-5270
- Email: Knotsoutofyou@gmail.com
- Facebook: Knots Out Massage Theraputics
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
