Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Thomas.
Hi Teri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Teri Thomas and I am a licensed massage therapist. Three years ago, I had some plastic surgery and looked for someone to give me a few manual lymphatic drainage massages. After looking online and calling a dozen places, I couldn’t find anyone who knew “enough” to help me.
After recovering from my surgery, I went to Nevada for 2 weeks to obtain level 1 and level 2 Lymphatic Drainage Certifications. I also took many post-surgical massage and fibrosis courses to learn as much as I possibly could. A few months later, I found a space to open my center and officially opened our doors on September 1, 2021. At Lymphatic Care Center, we specialize in treating post-surgical patients, and many surgeons refer their patients to our clinic after surgery. Soon, we were also treating people with lymphedema and lipidema, fibrosis, and body contouring.
Those who have swelling, allergies, fatigue, autoimmune disorders, post-pregnancy, or who just want to be cleansed of toxic waste in their bodies receive a lymphatic drainage session. It’s not just for those who have had surgery. Post cancer patients are also referred to us, to clear the system of swelling from cancer treatments and Chemotherapy. A year in a half after opening, the center has received three awards: top 3 Best of Salt Lake 2023, January of the Month for Millcreek City 2023, and Massage Business of the Year 2023 for Millcreek City.
Since opening my center, I began teaching Intro to Lymphatic Drainage Massage at Healing Mountain Massage School in the fall of 2022. Recently, I was accepted as an approved provider for the NCBTMB to teach levels one and 2 for lymphatic drainage massage so Utah therapists don’t have to go out of State to earn their certificate of completion. I can travel anywhere in the country to offer lymphatic certification courses to anyone who is an LMT, Nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or master Aesthetician.
Our lymphatic system works in tandem with the circulatory system, it’s responsible for cleaning waste from our bodies (immune system) as well as the fluid system which processes edema (swelling) it also is responsible for transporting fats, proteins, hormones through the lymph, yet so many people know very little if anything about the lymphatic system. My journey has been both unexpected and rewarding.
I never thought of specializing in lymphatic drainage until I realized there is a great need in Utah for more therapists to offer this healing modality. I’m grateful and blessed to share the knowledge I’ve learned with others who wish to provide manual lymphatic drainage in their practice. I followed my path, uncertain if I would succeed, but because I believed in something, I was right where I was meant to be.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The cost of continuing education and opening a clinic was costly.
Also, training therapists takes a lot of time. It’s still challenging to educate people about the lymphatic system most know nothing of.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lymphatic Care Center, although fairly new, is one of the first centers specializing in the lymphatic system.
Our focus is on lymphatics. I’m most proud of the three awards we have been nominated, for and the staff who continue to provide their best to our clients because they are passionate about what they do.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I could see opening several more clinics in Utah or even California or Miami. Utah has a lot of plastic surgeons per capita and there is a real need for the work we do.
Also, more people are realizing the benefits of manual Lymphatic Drainage, who have not had surgery. I believe that will be hearing a lot more about MLD as it becomes more popular.
Contact Info:
- Website: slclymphaticcarecenter.com
Image Credits
Rebekah Westover Photography
