Massage Therapist

Dana Cruz, LMT

My name is Dana Cruz. I am originally from NYC and have lived in Chicago for the past eight years. In '99 I graduated from Boston University's Theater conservatory and received a BFA in Acting. I got a job working at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago shortly after that and fell in love with the city. I left the two bedroom apartment I was sharing with four other girls in Queens and decided to make my life in Chicago. I spent some time doing odd jobs to help supplement my income but was feeling very unfulfilled and unhealthy. I was working odd hours and putting so much time and effort into work that didn't matter to me. My boyfriend at the time (now my husband) asked me if I had ever considered a career in massage therapy. Not really? I had been doing a form of Swedish massage since I was in high school (I went to a specialized high school for the arts know as the FAME school or LaGuardia High School) where they had given us some basic clothed massage workshops. In college I had integrated the Alexander technique into my work and some of my friends and I would trade massages. It never occurred to me that I could make that work my career. So I researched schools in the Chicago area and came across the Chicago School for Massage Therapy. It seemed like a good fit and I graduated in 2003. During my time at CSMT, I became good friends with a woman who did labor support work. I apprenticed with her, assisting her at births and soon after graduation was certified in pregnancy massage. I took Kate Jordan's Bodywork for the Childbearing year seminar and not only received my certification but found an amazing mentor and friend in Kate whom I have been assistant teaching with since 2004.

I use a combination of Neuromuscular Therapy (trigger point work), Strain-Counterstrain technique, Alexander Technique, Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage technique to customize the best session I can for my clients. My current practice consists of athletes, artists, clients with chronic pain issues and pregnancy massage and I couldn't be happier. The work has been life changing for me and has helped me move further along on my own road to wellness, making good choices and keeping perspective. I am an avid bicyclist and the mother of twin girls Lyra & Simone my greatest inspirations.