01/07/2025
I'm often asked, "How did you get into massage?"
I'm Aaren Battle and would love to tell you. Short answer, "I believe in the power of skilled Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers and what they can do for others. This is my way of helping others feel better and recover faster. Sometimes a few hours of the right support, can go a long way."
Longer answer below:
It's been almost 2 years in the making to where I am a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist with multiple modalities under my belt... or has it been 20 years in the making?
While dragging my feet & debating which degree to complete & where to enroll to complete my last 3 semesters for my Bachelor's - I had a sudden epiphany that massage was my next career. Within an hour I'd researched schools in 2 states, written my list to continue researching, and booked 2 massage school tours. I jumped in the deep end, and haven't looked back!
I was homeschooled, so in elementary school I went with my dad to work at least once a week. My dad is a Physical Therapist who specialized in manual therapy(becoming more popular, but far more rare 30 years ago). I was shadowing him and learning from him weekly how to teach stretches, do body work, and strain counterstrain for EVERY sort of injury. At the outpatient clinic, I would give neck massages to the receptionists, techs, and PTAs. They all loved it, even though I was only 7 at the time.
Fast forward to 2018, I'd experienced injuries in the military and flew cross country to Brian Tuckey, a renowned physical therapist, instructor worldwide, and one who makes discoveries for the Jones Institute. His techniques relieved 9 months of pain and disability swiftly - in a weekend. Going to school as a Physical Therapy Assistant was always a backup plan. I remember saying, "when I get out of the military, I want to go medical so I can provide this relief for others." Massage Therapist is one of the Licenses included in the list of who can learn Fascial Strain techniques, that get people back on their feet and to their every day lives.
So after hundreds of hours of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Applied Kiniesiology, and hundreds of massages later - I graduated in 2024 from North Carolina School of Advanced Bodywork (which was the most medical/clinical focused in NC when I went to school.) I'm grateful to work at Functional Bodywork Therapy: a place where we do massage, however we take the next step to focus on creating ease, range of motion, funtional movement, and getting YOU back to what you LOVE!
Physical Therapists(who do Strain Counterstrain and Fascial Counterstrain) and Massage Therapists have made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE in my life for back, shoulder, and ankle injuries from 2018-2022. I'm so glad I get to give back, often in similar ways that have given me the reset I needed, and be in spaces where I can learn modalities from both massage and physical therapist instructors. I love to be a catalyst in someone's recovery, so they can do their job, workouts, or hobbies again. I treat folks from every walk of life and genuinely enjoy learning, supporting, working, and teaching exercises as a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist.
Please follow this page to learn more. My modalities currently include:
- Deep Tissue
- Trigger Point Therapy/Accupressure
- Deep Lymphatic Flushing for Chronic Illness
- Reiki
If you live near Apex, Garner, or Fuquay-Varina NC, you can book an appointment a Theraputic Massage with me, Aaren Battle at functionalbt.com. You will need to complete a medical intake prior to your first session.
I look forward to meeting you and being on your Team to Revitalize Your Wellness!
NC LMBT #22520
Photo credit: Richard Corman
