At Vibrant Life Therapies, massage clients receive something unique. Owner and massage therapist Donna Ondek is trained not only in many types of massage therapies; she is also certified as a personal trainer and nutrition counselor. Her knowledge and experience enable her to deliver relief from pain and stress while teaching her clients how to help their bodies heal. Donna believes that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, given the right therapy, exercise, and nutrition. Her mantra is, “People need to start taking responsibility for their health if they want to enjoy good quality of life.”
With her broad knowledge base, she understands how massage therapy and physical training complement each other. “Understanding exercise science has made me a better massage therapist, and massage therapy has made me a much better personal trainer”, she reflected in a recent interview at her studio in Trexlertown. Her certification in personal training also allows her to prescribe stretches and exercises to her massage therapy clients, a service which is outside the scope of most massage therapists’ work.
While massage has been clinically proven to promote healing for acute and chronic injuries and pain, it is just part of the equation. Massage increases pliability and prevents the growth of the scar tissue which limits the range of motion. After the pain subsides, the client needs to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones. “Massage therapy speeds up healing because it increases circulation and takes away waste products. Consistent massage therapy allows permanent change,” she described. “The body needs balance. A person has to reduce the pain and be able to move the injured body part. Then he or she needs to strengthen the weak muscles and stretch the tight ones,” Donna expounded.
Her inspiration stemmed from her own personal experience. As Donna’s career in the exercise field grew and she received more and more continuing education, her interests extended to nutrition. She had been an aerobics instructor since 1988 and had been exercising regularly since she was 25. Nevertheless, at age 40 she was diagnosed with high cholesterol and high blood sugar. Seeing that exercise wasn’t enough, she delved into the study of nutrition. She quickly came to believe that the food pyramid and processed foods are to blame for many of the nation’s health problems, including obesity. “We should eat foods as close as possible to the way God made them. We can eat carbs — just make them fresh fruits and vegetables,” she spelled out.
Donna’s true passion is for teaching people about a healthier lifestyle in order to live life more fully and improve their chances for a healthy, active old age. “I see myself as an educator,” she states resolutely. “God created an awesome thing in our bodies. They have the ability to heal. God created things in nature to help us, and we have lost sight of that.”
The various types of massage Donna offers at Vibrant Life Therapies include therapeutic, orthopedic, lymphatic drainage, oncology, and mastectomy massage, and massage for Fibromyalgia. Donna utilizes a network with physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and podiatrists in the area, referring clients who need medical care. Many seniors come to Vibrant Life Therapies for massage therapy, exercise therapy, and nutritional counseling.
Vibrant Life Therapies, LLC, is located in Trexlertown, PA. Donna Ondek, owner, is a licensed Massage Therapist and certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Counselor. Donna specializes in Rehabilitative and Medical Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Mastectomy and Oncology Massage. To learn more, contact Donna via phone or text at (610)703-1596, email donna@vibrantlifetherapies.com, or visit VibrantLifeTherapies.com.