After 20+ years as a chef and restaurant owner, I had a mid-life crisis and decided to become a massage therapist. I started practicing energy work in 1993, and massage in 1999.
I am the owner of THERA-SSAGE, a multi-disciplinary clinic and educational facility in Rutherfordton, NC. We offer massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, aesthetics, spa treatments, naturopathy, nutritional counseling, and herbal therapies.
I am an editorial and marketing consultant for Health Options Monthly, a great new newsletter for you to share with your clients. Check out our sample issue!
I’m Nationally Certified in Massage Therapy & Bodywork, and an Approved Provider of Continuing Education under the NCBTMB. I’m a professional member of both AMTA and ABMP, a past delegate to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, and a founding member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. From 2005-2011, I was a member of the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy.
I’m the author of the Plain & Simple Guide to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (2nd ed, LWW, 2009) and One Year to a Successful Massage Therapy Practice (LWW, 2008). My new book, A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Business, was just published by LWW in January 2011.
One Year to a Successful Massage Therapy Practice
Plain & Simple Guide to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Examinations
A Massage Therapist's Guide to Business
I write Business Side, a column that appears in Massage & Bodywork Magazine.
I am available for consulting with individual practitioners, group practices, massage schools, and organizations. I have assisted a number of new schools in starting up, including creating the initial paperwork needed for school licensure. I also assist schools, organizations, and individuals who seek approval as continuing education providers from the NCBTMB.
I’m on the visiting faculty for the Obus School of Healing Therapies in Leixlip, Co Kildare, Ireland, and the Board of Advisors for the Asheville School of Massage & Yoga.
On a personal level, I’ve been married for 17 years to my soulmate, Champ Allen. We have one furry child, Smokey Bear the Chow, and we reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I’m a musician and songwriter, have made numerous appearances in person, on public radio, public television, and have appeared on several recordings, including my own CD recorded with Hogwild, By the Light of the Moon (1999). I enjoy jamming with my friends, reading, writing, traveling, cooking, studying all things Irish, and have a full-fledged addiction to the Internet.
TWO NEW BOOKS BY LAURA ALLEN
I have recently written two other books that don’t have anything to do with massage. They’re both available as e-books on Smashwords, Amazon, etc. and you don’t have to have a Kindle in order to read them. I don’t have any plans to do hard copies of Affair of the Heart, but Nothin’ Fancy, my cookbook, will be available in hard copy early in 2011.
Affair of the Heart is the story of Katherine Marsdon, a wealthy heiress and spoiled brat who is used to always getting her way, until her father handpicks her husband. Set in the horse country of Western North Carolina, the family’s saga carries across several generations and will have you both laughing and crying…the wealthy have the same problems everyone else does.
Nothin’ Fancy: Good Food and a Few Funny Stories includes over 80 of my best recipes, along with a liberal does of Laura Allen wit and kitchen wisdom gleaned from my many years of cooking for the public. (I did have a life before massage!) Good Southern cooking, sure to please.
Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it.
