Meet Mara Pitcher | Licensed Massage Therapist & Certified Lymphedema Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mara Pitcher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mara, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote is by Dolly Parton, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose”
I love this quote because it speaks to how I live my life. I’ve worked for many years to understand what value I can bring to others through my own pursuit of health and happiness. As I have identified my strengths and developed different skills, I’ve built a career and a lifestyle that gives me a great deal of joy and purpose.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I want people to know that my brand is rooted in education, experience, and a passion to help others. Before becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist, I thought I would be a professor working in academia. When I chose not to pursue a Phd, I thought about how I could incorporate my prior work experiences as a Veterinary Technician, and my background in healthcare to build a career that would allow me to serve others using all of my skills.

During my undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University I won the Gambrell Award for Academic Excellence for my specialized research in medical history. My experience as a researcher has enabled me to stay current on the most recent advances in Manual Therapy and to build holistic treatment plans tailored for my clients. I have remained committed to my education through ongoing training.

Since becoming licensed, I have averaged more than 100 hours of continuing education each year, and have gained status as a Preferred Provider for the Society of Oncology Massage and a Certified Medical Massage Practitioner. I was excited to study advanced myofascial release techniques at the Costa Rica School of Massage with Dr. Ben Benjamin this June. Working with other experts in my field has helped me to overcome many of the challenges new therapists face.

Through my training I have learned a lot of lessons about how different manual therapy techniques can be blended to support better health outcomes. When most people think of massage they think of someone engaging with their muscular and skeletal system. But massage and other forms of manual therapy can be used to help our immune system and mental health through the interconnectedness of our mind, body and nervous system. Massage is more than releasing muscle tension, it is also about supporting cognition, enhancing immune function, improving circulation, as well as reducing stress and pain.

I am most proud of the way I have blended my professional experiences with my personal passion for design to build a private wellness spa at Image Studios in McKinney and design customized treatments in service of others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a Master Gardener I always love taking people to the Dallas Arboretum to enjoy the beautiful gardens there. I also recommend a day at the Dallas World Aquarium because it is fun to visit no matter the weather, and there are so many beautiful plants and animals to see.

I think some of the most exciting nightlife is in Deep Ellum. Whether you want to go dancing at a night club like The Nines, or grab a late night taco at Ruins, there is always a lot going on to explore. Right now I would also take friends to see the Jill Rasco Photography retrospective currently on display at the Deep Ellum Community Center to showcase the talent of local artists.

Speaking of art, another fun day would be to visit the Dallas Museum of Art. I really enjoyed their current exhibit Return to Inifinity by Yayoi Kasuma. There is so much to see that you can take a nice break at Klyde Warren Park and enjoy one of the many food trucks for lunch before continuing the afternoon at the Nasher Sculpture Center to enjoy the grounds there.

I would also try to catch a show at one of the many beautiful theaters we have in the city. I always love to catch a live show at the Majestic or check out movies at a cool vintage spots like the Texas Theater or Lakewood Theater. I would take visitors shopping and for drinks in the Bishop Arts area, I love stopping in at The Wild Detectives, or catching some live music at Reveler’s Hall.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shout-out to my late husband Patrick Pitcher. I lost my first husband to brain cancer in 2009. Patrick’s love and encouragement meant the world to me and I still miss him very much.
It was through my experience as his primary caregiver and health advocate that I learned about the benefits of manual therapy. One of the reasons I went for my advanced training in Oncology Massage and manual lymphatic drainage was so I could help others navigating their own journeys with cancer.

Website: https://www.marapitcherlmt.com

Instagram: @marapitcherlmt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562946212331#

Other: Mara Pitcher LMT
Phone: (469)592-8028 Email: marapitcherlmt@gmail.com
Located inside IMAGE Studios, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy APT 1500, Suite 121, McKinney, TX 75070

Image Credits
Felicia Wallace