“In the Spotlight”
Our Focus Business this week is:
Oregon Massage & Lymphedema Clinic, LLC
Tamara Nielson
PO Box 1427, Estacada, OR 97023
503.318.6799
503.630.4776
lymphlmt@aol.com
When growing up in Poulsbo on Puget Sound in Washington, she was on the water every day – swimming; canoeing; fishing. If she were to change jobs today, she’d build a swimming pool in Estacada and become the manager.
Tamara Nielson’s been in Estacada since 1999. I ask each person I interview, “Is there a story to the name of your business?” Tamara is the first person, in over a year who had an answer to this question. Here is the story to her business, Oregon Massage & Lymphedema Clinic. “I had cancer in the 90s, with side effects from the cancer treatment. It was lymphedema in my legs. I was disabled due to the swelling caused by the removal of my leg lymph nodes and the radiation treatment I received. The medical people pretty much told me I had to live with it, nothing could be done, and that eventually I might lose my legs. Somebody gave me a copy of the movie “Lorenzo\\\\\\\'s Oil”, wherein doing research of your own changed the way certain conditions can be treated. This inspired me, and since there was no internet then, I did research at the library, on microfiche. ” Without a doubt, massage and lymphedema treatment saved my legs. I wanted to name my business Oregon Massage and Lymphedema Clinic, so when people googled lymphedema, my business would pop up. I’ve been in business since 2007 and I have clients from all over the country.”
The best part of my job is “seeing someone being able to live life and function again. For example one of my patients is traveling around the world, because now she CAN. I see that people are able to relax and reduce pain through massage; they live healthier and more active lives. I have also been able to help some folks get through some difficult times in their lives when they too are going through cancer and its treatments. The economy and things have slowed down but I look at that as a positive. I have more time to do other things, such as organizing the alternative health care for “Compassion Estacada,” as well as being able to take more specialty classes to help my clients even more. I currently am taking Watsu classes, which is a form of aquatic therapy.
“I LOVE Estacada; the energy; the people; everyone’s helpful; it’s a wonderful town. And in 10 years I believe it’ll be the same town but cuter; with its same small-town charm.”
To the question, “How do you balance work and home?,” Tamara responded, “Home comes first. My job is flexible and part time, so that helps. I’ve been married to Barry since 1992, and between the two of us we have 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 dogs.”
·What’s the last book you read/movie seen/CD on your player?
Celestine Prophecy series
Music – Nora Jones and other relaxing music
·What’s your favorite pastime/hobby?
Swimming
·What are you next travel plans?
Early summer – Isla du Mujeres
Bonneville Hot Springs
Spend most of my time learning, reading and researching, and working on our farm.
·What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?
Meeting my husband – on a blind date – we met for dinner at a Denney’s.
·Have you ever met anyone famous?
I met Ernest Bourgnine in Alaska while working an information booth at a Rite Aid. He came in for fishing supplies.
·How would describe yourself in 3 words?
Busy, inquisitive, joyful
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or your business?, Tamara said, “Massage can be very helpful with a great many issues people have – stress; working out; and losing weight; massage is so very helpful in injury recovery, and reducing pain. I have my medical massage certificate and I’m able to do insurance billings.” Make an appointment today and see what massage can do for you.
SPECIAL – Buy 3, 1-hour massages for only $140.
VALENTINE’S SPECIAL: Buy a gift certificate for your sweetheart, and get 50% off of any product. Purchase by February’s end 2012.
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