Well hello there!
My philosophy is simple: Pain shouldn't be something that we just have to live with as we get older. I believe that with a combination of massage, exercise, and proper nutrition (and sometimes maybe just somewhere to let go of all your problems) most people can get back to doing what they love to do.
My name is Gina Marie Woodard, CMT, HE, and I have been practicing Massage Therapy for 19 years in the Tri-Valley Area. I began my career in 2005, with an internship at a local Physical Therapy clinic in Dublin, California. I worked alongside my mentor for 8 years, soaking in all the knowledge he had to offer me about the body and it's responses to pain, and how to best get my clients back to living their lives pain free as quickly as possible. I then worked alongside several chiropractors in the area, learning how the muscular system and skeletal systems interrelate and how to get them to play nice with each other. I have also worked with neuromuscular dentists to eliminate TMJ/TMD pain, OB-GYN's to alleviate back and hip pain in pregnancy. I learned from several Midwives the valuable skillset of clearing Mastitis (a breast infection common in new moms), as well as Lymphatic issues post-cesarean section. I love to work alongside Physical Therapists for their patients who graduate from their program and still need that last little bit of help to get back to pain free life.
I trained at a local massage school (Bryman College), and graduated Valedictorian of my class in 2005. I taught Massage Therapy at Everest College in Hayward from 2008-2011, and then again at the World School of Massage in Pleasanton where I also served as Faculty Advisor from 2011-2014. I have advanced training in Prenatal massage, Oncology Massage, Hospice Work (Palliative Care Massage) and Massage for Special Populations over the years. I REALLY love expanding my knowledge base every year and am always excited to explore all of the new directions massage has taken me.
My Story
I became a massage therapist after being an Auto Worker for 11 years. After New United Motors shredded my shoulder at the age of 26, I was unable to use my arm very well. I saw countless people to try and fix it and finally found a great Physical Therapist who put me back together when nobody else could. I asked him how he got to where he was and he said he was first a Massage Therapist and worked his way up- I quit my job the next day and decided to follow my heart and do what I feel I have been called to do. I love my job, and I truly believe that it shows in my passion to do something that can at times be very demanding for 19 years.
I am happily married to my best friend James, and we have three wonderful kids. We live in Pleasanton, where we both own small businesses. My hobbies include gardening, getting outside and exercising, and riding my Vespa with the club I founded, the Pleasanton Vesparados Scooter Club. I believe in living your best life every day, and love nothing more than doing ridiculous things that fill me with joy.