Therapist Interview: Successfully Incorporating Specialized Kinesiology Into a Massage Practice
In this interview of former Specialized Kinesiology student Joline Roling, LMT, you will learn about how she has skillfully woven SK techniques into her massage practice. She’s experiencing superior results with her clients and finds her own energy has increased.
Way to go Jolene!
Tell us a little bit about your practice and background.
For many, many years, while working other jobs and having a 15-year career in the aviation industry, I felt as though I had another purpose in life. Bodywork, massage, and energy work had always been of interest to me, especially for how they always promoted positive changes in physical and emotional health. I decided a life change was in order for me, so in 2014, I began my massage therapy career. I started my own business immediately after being licensed in the State of Iowa, offering various massage services, and introduced Specialized Kinesiology to my clients in 2019 after attending Touch For Health Level 1-3 events, taught by Terri Kaus.
What drew you to Specialized Kinesiology?
I was introduced to Applied Kinesiology in 2006, by my chiropractor. I didn’t understand how it worked. All I knew was that when he used muscle testing to make corrections on me I would feel great for several days or even weeks.
Fast forward to 2019 when I was searching for continuing education opportunities, that is when I found a syllabus for a course being taught by Terri Kaus. Much to my surprise, her course featured all of the things my chiropractor was incorporating and MORE! I was under the impression that this modality was strictly reserved for medical professionals. I never imagined that I could utilize this with my massage clients. I knew right then that I had to explore this opportunity because of my own positive healing experience with kinesiology.
Tell me about your experience learning Specialized Kinesiology.
There was a tremendous amount of content to learn, especially while working full time and having a very busy schedule. It was definitely a challenge. Terri’s incredible reference materials and training methods made it so much easier to absorb, comprehend and deliver during the practice sessions and also with clients. It became a very enjoyable experience and the instructor support is amazing! Terri’s extensive background is apparent in her ability to provide a program that can give anyone the confidence they need to succeed while learning SK.
How has Specialized Kinesiology benefited you personally?
I’m grateful for the resources that SK has given me. I use many of the Self Care techniques throughout the day and even at night. As a result, I now have more energy and clarity when working with my clients. Incorporating SK into my life has helped to provide the balance I needed in my practice so I don’t have to worry about burnout or injury ending my career early.
How has Specialized Kinesiology benefited you professionally?
Some of my clients that have not responded to other therapies are doing well with the SK techniques. I’ve been getting good results and my clients are experiencing lasting change. Referrals are continually coming in for unique and effective modalities.
Is there a story you can share about the impact Specialized Kinesiology has had on a client?
I have numerous client stories of transformations but one is of particular importance. I was introduced to a young man, by his mother and grandmother, who are current clients. He was in a car accident one evening after leaving work and was fortunate to survive. After being checked out by trauma doctors and surgeons, they couldn’t find any health concerns that were severe enough to warrant hospitalization.
After going home and experiencing several days of nausea, vomiting, constipation, more doctor’s appointments, and further testing, he was told these problems were caused by scar tissue developing in his abdomen and that it would take time for things to settle down.
His condition continued to deteriorate, with weight loss, fatigue, continued vomiting, not keeping fluids down, etc. He was prescribed laxatives which of course didn’t help. In his weakened condition, his mother and grandmother brought him to me hoping, I could do something to help him. Getting a read on his muscle tests was challenging. I worked as best as I could and performed multiple corrections (either neurovascular, neurolymphatic, spinal reflex or meridian trace) which seemed to be working. All was good until I got to his Small Intestine. I performed the usual corrections but within 3-5 seconds of touching the Small Intestine reflex points, he nearly passed out on the floor.
I had a chair nearby and immediately sat him down and called for his family to join us in the treatment room. I had never seen a reaction as intense as this and suggested they immediately take him back to the ER.
They proceeded in doing so and several hours later (after exploratory surgery), doctors found two large perforations in his small intestine that needed immediate repair. None of his prior scans detected these issues. As a result of waiting so long to get the help he needed, he was also developing sepsis.After being in the hospital for just over a week, he was released and was able to make a full recovery. I am grateful for the SK knowledge I had and that I was able to point him in the right direction to get the help he so desperately needed.
Any other positive client outcomes or stories you want to share?
There are several others, including one woman that couldn’t walk because her left leg was “numb” and she couldn’t feel it to move it forward to walk. She had every medical test completed and had seen multiple specialists without receiving help or a diagnosis. We found multiple areas of imbalance during our session and once the balance was complete, she was able to take a 30-minute walk with her family the next day. Two sessions later and she was walking 2 miles a day with work colleagues. That was exciting!
The benefit of adding Specialized Kinesiology to your practice? Do you feel like you are getting deeper, longer lasting change with SK?
The benefits are far-reaching in my practice because SK is providing longer-lasting changes and sometimes complete resolution to years of chronic pain. My SK clients are not coming in as often because they are feeling so great! The good news is, they’re referring their friends and relatives to me. I am thrilled to be able to help people get and stay well. This allows me to introduce this incredible program to more people in need of adequate balance.
This program is also great for those therapists wanting to empower their clients with ways to work on themselves in between sessions.
How did you transition to incorporating Specialized Kinesiology into your practice? Any helpful tips for success?
As with all good things, it took some time to incorporate SK into my practice. I had plenty of colleagues in my community that would volunteer to try out a new modality, so I chose them to help me develop my confidence in the testing practices. I also have some clients that are always interested in trying new things, so I offered SK sessions to them at a reduced rate. That helped me build proficiency, even though it took more time out of my schedule. It was a small sacrifice to make for 3-4 months. When the confidence, proficiency, and results all started coming together, it was miraculous for my clients and my business.
Is there anything you think would be helpful or encouraging for those trying to decide if they should study this modality?
I continue to learn something new every day from this program! Because the reference material is laid out in an easy-to-follow way, you don’t need to memorize everything. But what’s cool is, I am starting to remember some of the corrections by heart.
Once you feel confident with your muscle testing ability you’ll have this skill for life and you’ll be able to use it in many ways. If you’re the type of person whose true intention is to help family, friends, and clients heal, then let SK shine through!