Credentials
Background
I did not find massage therapy. It found me.
At the age of 23, I underwent a laminectomy to repair two herniated discs. Afterward, I still had pain, which made me fear that it might become a part of my life for good. This wasn’t the same excruciating nerve pain I had felt even in sleep before the repair. But instead, the pain was more of a constant ache that never left.
Mother Knows Best
My mother was the first to mention bodywork as a solution. At first, I was skeptical because my idea of a massage was a ‘day at the spa’—you know, with all the candles, the soothing music, and an array of lovely scents…
I thought, “Calgon! Take me away! Great! But…how could that help?”
One gift certificate later, I fully understood.
Basically, just about everything I knew about massage was false. More than simply relaxing, the Deep Tissue Massage that I received calmed my lower back. The spinal muscles that had been locked in an attempt to protect me had started to loosen. After only one session, I could finally move around and even bend—which I had not been able to do in months. Moreover, my pain became more tolerable and then even sporadic with further work.
Of course, I became a fan of massage.
Indeed, it’s been fifteen years and my love of the profession has only grown as I’ve found new and even better methods of doing my work. I still get excited when a patient finally finds relief after thinking that they never would.
Focusing On Relief
My practice has always been centered around using massage therapy to treat the muscles contributing to a patient’s chronic pain. I have developed a method that combines well-known and accepted modalities to reduce adhesion prior to applying Deep Tissue and Trigger Point work.
Adhesion
If adhesion is addressed before the application of pressure, then the deeper strokes feel less painful while in fact doing more. This is because the patient does not unconsciously resist the work.
(Side note: Have you ever felt your muscles jump and tighten in the middle of a massage? This is what I am referring to.)
Massage Education and Licensure
I graduated from Florida Metropolitan University Lakeland’s Massage Therapy Licensing Program in October of 2007. While there I studied under four different licensed massage therapists, including both a Reiki Master and Physical Therapist. In addition, I passed both state and national licensure exams for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork at the end of October 2007. Since late October of 2007, I have continually held and met all requirements for massage therapist licensure within the State of Florida. Moreover, I also carry my own State of Florida Massage Establishment License for Stephanie Farrer Massage Therapy, Inc. Both of these licenses are able to be verified by searching the Florida Board of Massage Therapy website at any time.
Cranial Release Technique
I completed an intensive course on Cranial Release Technique (CRT) in March of 2008. At a conference, Dr. Doreste demonstrated CRT on me and it provided immediate low back pain relief. Upon feeling this, I had to learn it. I have worked with infants, the very frail, and patients of all ages who benefit from cranial work. Currently, I am the only Cranial Release Practitioner in Highlands County. To further broaden my span of cranial work, I have also started training in SomatoEmotional Release. If I have a current goal, it is to complete this series in 2022.
Certifications
Upon completion of my Cranial Release Technique test in 2008, I focused all of my early continuing education in medical massage.
First, I passed the certification in June 2009. From there, I then moved on to Orthomassage (Completed 2013). At the same time, I also began specialized training in Neuromuscular (Trigger Point) Therapy. Trigger Point Therapy has always been the foundation of my practice, though I completed my official certification in 2015.
Once the Neuromuscular Therapy training concluded, I expanded into Myofascial Release (MFR, Completed 2017) using the mostly the Barnes Method. Unexpectedly, I found such great results with MFR that I made it nearly half of my practice. The combination of medical massage techniques like Trigger Point and Myofascial finally made me helpful for most conditions, but there were still others I knew I could do more for.
Additional Training
One example is plantar fasciitis, which is one condition that I have only just felt in recent years that I could truly help. At the time, I’d chosen to study Lymphatic Drainage for practical purposes. Chiefly, I was fascinated by all of the sudden calls I was getting to help new patients deal with swelling after plastic surgery. Though entirely different than the deep and forceful skill set I was used to, I could immediately see the results.
The combination of Lymphatic Drainage and Graston Technique (scraping) is truly remarkable for patients with Plantar Fasciitis. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy the quick decrease in swelling and adhesion I can actually see when working with post-surgical patients.
Cupping and Graston Technique
While massage therapy has always been my priority, I’ve also sought training in the complementary therapies I learned were helpful.
To begin, I trained in both Silicone and Vacuum Cupping (2016) after finding it broke adhesions much faster than other therapies I was using.
Then, in early 2022, I sought training in Graston Technique because my Canadian patients began asking for it. In a word, this scraping method to break adhesion is the new VIP around my practice. I have watched a ‘frozen’ shoulder start to move, and I have seen that same ‘immovable’ arm go behind a back after months of ‘it won’t go’.
Truly, this method helps with even my toughest cases and I am happy to report that my golfer’s also love it! Twisting, swinging, bending—Graston’s can suddenly free you!
I have seen this application work for all sorts of conditions.
If there is a muscular component to the pain, then the combination of addressing adhesion combined with therapeutic massage will help. The best way to find out if it will work is to reach out. At worst, you’ll feel more relaxed and have an idea of what’s going on with your muscles—which can help us determine a plan of care to achieve your desired results. Occasionally, I do coordinate with local physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, counselors, and personal trainers for a total approach.
If you have questions as to whether or not Medical Massage could work for you, I encourage you to contact me using your preferred method listed below.
I look forward to working with you!
—Stephanie D Farrer, LMT
- Stephanie Farrer Massage Therapy, Inc.
- 1251 US 27 South in Sebring
- 863.385.7105
- SebringMassage@gmail.com
Credentials
Background
I did not find massage therapy. It found me.
At the age of 23, I underwent a laminectomy to repair two herniated discs. Afterward, I still had pain, which made me fear that it might become a part of my life for good. This wasn’t the same excruciating nerve pain I had felt even in sleep before the repair. But instead, the pain was more of a constant ache that never left.
Mother Knows Best
My mother was the first to mention bodywork as a solution. At first, I was skeptical because my idea of a massage was a ‘day at the spa’—you know, with all the candles, the soothing music, and an array of lovely scents…
I thought, “Calgon! Take me away! Great! But…how could that help?”
One gift certificate later, I fully understood.
Basically, just about everything I knew about massage was false. More than simply relaxing, the Deep Tissue Massage that I received calmed my lower back. The spinal muscles that had been locked in an attempt to protect me had started to loosen. After only one session, I could finally move around and even bend—which I had not been able to do in months. Moreover, my pain became more tolerable and then even sporadic with further work.
Of course, I became a fan of massage.
Indeed, it’s been fifteen years and my love of the profession has only grown as I’ve found new and even better methods of doing my work. I still get excited when a patient finally finds relief after thinking that they never would.
Focusing On Relief
My practice has always been centered around using massage therapy to treat the muscles contributing to a patient’s chronic pain. I have developed a method that combines well-known and accepted modalities to reduce adhesion prior to applying Deep Tissue and Trigger Point work.
Adhesion
If adhesion is addressed before the application of pressure, then the deeper strokes feel less painful while in fact doing more. This is because the patient does not unconsciously resist the work.
(Side note: Have you ever felt your muscles jump and tighten in the middle of a massage? This is what I am referring to.)
Massage Education and Licensure
I graduated from Florida Metropolitan University Lakeland’s Massage Therapy Licensing Program in October of 2007. While there I studied under four different licensed massage therapists, including both a Reiki Master and Physical Therapist. In addition, I passed both state and national licensure exams for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork at the end of October 2007. Since late October of 2007, I have continually held and met all requirements for massage therapist licensure within the State of Florida. Moreover, I also carry my own State of Florida Massage Establishment License for Stephanie Farrer Massage Therapy, Inc. Both of these licenses are able to be verified by searching the Florida Board of Massage Therapy website at any time.
Cranial Release Technique
I completed an intensive course on Cranial Release Technique (CRT) in March of 2008. At a conference, Dr. Doreste demonstrated CRT on me and it provided immediate low back pain relief. Upon feeling this, I had to learn it. I have worked with infants, the very frail, and patients of all ages who benefit from cranial work. Currently, I am the only Cranial Release Practitioner in Highlands County. To further broaden my span of cranial work, I have also started training in SomatoEmotional Release. If I have a current goal, it is to complete this series in 2022.
Certifications
Upon completion of my Cranial Release Technique test in 2008, I focused all of my early continuing education in medical massage.
First, I passed the certification in June 2009. From there, I then moved on to Orthomassage (Completed 2013). At the same time, I also began specialized training in Neuromuscular (Trigger Point) Therapy. Trigger Point Therapy has always been the foundation of my practice, though I completed my official certification in 2015.
Once the Neuromuscular Therapy training concluded, I expanded into Myofascial Release (MFR, Completed 2017) using the mostly the Barnes Method. Unexpectedly, I found such great results with MFR that I made it nearly half of my practice. The combination of medical massage techniques like Trigger Point and Myofascial finally made me helpful for most conditions, but there were still others I knew I could do more for.
Additional Training
One example is plantar fasciitis, which is one condition that I have only just felt in recent years that I could truly help. At the time, I’d chosen to study Lymphatic Drainage for practical purposes. Chiefly, I was fascinated by all of the sudden calls I was getting to help new patients deal with swelling after plastic surgery. Though entirely different than the deep and forceful skill set I was used to, I could immediately see the results.
The combination of Lymphatic Drainage and Graston Technique (scraping) is truly remarkable for patients with Plantar Fasciitis. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy the quick decrease in swelling and adhesion I can actually see when working with post-surgical patients.
Cupping and Graston Technique
While massage therapy has always been my priority, I’ve also sought training in the complementary therapies I learned were helpful.
To begin, I trained in both Silicone and Vacuum Cupping (2016) after finding it broke adhesions much faster than other therapies I was using.
Then, in early 2022, I sought training in Graston Technique because my Canadian patients began asking for it. In a word, this scraping method to break adhesion is the new VIP around my practice. I have watched a ‘frozen’ shoulder start to move, and I have seen that same ‘immovable’ arm go behind a back after months of ‘it won’t go’.
Truly, this method helps with even my toughest cases and I am happy to report that my golfer’s also love it! Twisting, swinging, bending—Graston’s can suddenly free you!
I have seen this application work for all sorts of conditions.
If there is a muscular component to the pain, then the combination of addressing adhesion combined with therapeutic massage will help. The best way to find out if it will work is to reach out. At worst, you’ll feel more relaxed and have an idea of what’s going on with your muscles—which can help us determine a plan of care to achieve your desired results. Occasionally, I do coordinate with local physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, counselors, and personal trainers for a total approach.
If you have questions as to whether or not Medical Massage could work for you, I encourage you to contact me using your preferred method listed below.
I look forward to working with you!
—Stephanie D Farrer, LMT
- Stephanie Farrer Massage Therapy, Inc.
- 1251 US 27 South in Sebring
- 863.385.7105
- SebringMassage@gmail.com
