About the Practitioner
About Me
Hello, thank you for stopping by. My full name is Alexandra Lopez, I go by Lexi but many of you may have met me when I worked with Tracey at Tri Therapeutic Massage, under the alias Alexis. Not to worry, you know what they say about roses:) Here is a little background on me: I have a B.S. in Neuro-psychology and have worked in the health care field since 1996. For 8 of those years I worked closely with eye surgeons in the DC area, assisting their patients with pre and post operative care. I also spent a few years working as a research assistant at the NIH, in both the Eye Institute and the Mental Health Institute, where we were studying the relationship between depression and osteoporosis.
One of my personal interests was learning as much as I could about the relationship between our emotions and our health. Later, I learned this first hand as I had to cope with some confusing idiopathic conditions of my own. It was a stroke of fate that led me to move to Virginia beach for a year and study at the Association for Research and Enlightenment as well as the Edgar Cayce/ Harold Reilly School of Massage Therapy.
I graduated from there in 2005, not just with a new career path but also with the knowledge that helped restore my health. Ever since then I have been working full time as a massage therapist in Northern Virginia. Over the years, most of my massage clients have been runners, tri-athletes as well as people recovering from injuries and car accidents.
Currently, I also work as a rehabilitative assistant in a functional neurologist's office. I really enjoy the work that I do. Helping people improve their quality of life through brain-based exercises, physical exercises as well as massage is very rewarding. Reconnecting people to their inner sanctuary and by making them more aware of their body's natural ability to heal, is a wonderful calling.
Ideally, I prefer to work with clients who have a similar desire and willingness to take an active role in their health. Because of my background and the various areas that I have worked in, the work that I do is therapeutic and rehabilitative. Some people ask me how that differs from spa massage or going to a chain massage location. I answer that working one on one with a therapist allows you to be more than just another client. Getting to know the unique muscle/tension patterns within your body as well as your strengths and weaknesses will allow me to design a session that works best for you and advise you on things you can do at home to continue the progress we make. It may include life style and dietary changes as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. Remember, we are collaborators in your health.
I am very fortunate to be able to do something that I love and believe in because of how it helped me first-hand. It is not a luxury or a treat as most people think of it. Massage is a very important part of preventative and complementary care, not a replacement for traditional medical attention. I have worked in collaboration with osteopaths, orthopedists, chiropractors, pediatricians and insurance companies. Most of my clients are regulars who have learned the value of having my services as part of their self-care. I look forward to meeting you and thank you again for stopping by!
