In 2005, Rena` began her health and wellness career by attending a 600 hour massage therapist training program at the Somerset School of Massage Therapy. After graduating, she completed their 125 hour certificate program in Neuromuscular Therapy, a protocol based on the work of Dr. Janet Travell, designed to relieve pain and restore flexibility. In 2008, she enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Essex County College. From there she graduated with an A.A.S. in 2010.

 

As a licensed PTA, she successfully used massage along with other therapeutic modalities to help her patients live with more independence and less pain. During the course of her 10 year career in the medical field, she attended many continuing education courses. Rena` also taught PTA students, serving as an APTA credentialed clinical instructor. After dedicating herself to treating patients with a vast array of diagnoses, she began to notice many of them had a common problem: edema. Naturally, she dove deeper into learning how she could use massage therapy to help people heal.

 

In 2016, Rena` became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist after attending the rigorous 135 hour Complete Decongestive Therapy/Manual Lymphatic Drainage program with the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. During this medical level program, she received extensive training in the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system as well as a comprehensive education in manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging. A subsequent internship with master clinicians at a lymphedema clinic became the inspiration to follow her own vision. 

 

Rena` is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, Montclair La Leche League and the National Lymphedema Network. She's also a supporting member of the Lymphedema Education & Research Network. A perpetual student, she continues to learn and refine her skills by taking advanced courses such as the Head and Neck Lymphedema treatment program with the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and the PORi Foundation in Oncology Rehabilitation training. 

 

For over 18 years Rena` has been working to help her patients and clients improve their quality of life, function at their optimal level, and feel better. It is with great honor that she now brings to you, Mend Lymphatic Massage & Wellness Services.