Meet Janie Dam, LMT
Growing up, Janie saw firsthand how pain and autoimmune disease can wear away at a person’s independence. At 10 years old she was the primary caregiver for her mother who had been living with multiple sclerosis. Weekly visits to different doctors offices and nothing ever seeming to get better. Not only does fatigue and aches keep the body from doing normal daily activities, but Janie believes that fear and the lack of trust prohibits a person from engaging their body just as much. “I’m sick so I can’t do that,” “I have a disease so I’m incapable,” “I have pain so I shouldn’t be moving”. That experience planted a seed: she wanted to learn more about the body’s healing processes and help people with chronic dysfunction.
Janie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with the hopes of being a broadcast journalist. She had always been a creative and introspective person and wanted to highlight important issues in the world through impactful storytelling. She soon realized upon entering the workforce that she wanted to spend her time doing something deeper as a service for others. After a long reflection on her early upbringing, Janie decided to enroll and trained at Chicago’s New School for Massage, and a new world seemed to open up for her.
Massage Techniques
Janie’s practice centers on neuromuscular therapy, a soft-tissue approach that uses precise, targeted pressure to release trigger points in muscles, tendons, and fascia. She pairs it with:
- Myofascial release
- Active stretching
- Graston
The framework can be summarized as follows:
- Muscle is activated by motor neurons
- Nervous system maintains protective tension in a region
- New sensory input (i.e., pressure and movement) modulates motor neuron outputs
- Less protective contraction
All together, these methods work to have the body let go of its guarding response (“release tension”), restore healthy circulation in an area that was strained, and calm an overactive nervous system.
Massage Therapy
A Clinical Approach to Care
Since completing her bodywork program, Janie has worked alongside chiropractors and physical therapists across the greater Chicagoland area. She’s had spa experience too, but it’s the clinical environment that keeps her engaged in her work: talking with patients, backtracking what may be happening in a pain area, and being part of the process as they gain easier movement in their daily routines. Joining Active Body felt like an easy decision; she liked the team’s professionalism, their manual therapy approach, and the foundational trust that is received from the neighborhood.
In Her Spare Time
Janie is a proud Seattle native with a love for Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, which are permanent fixtures on her playlist. Every so often she dips into her 90’s eurodance phase. Off the clock, you’ll likely find her strength training, baking a new dessert recipe, or playing competitive video games (DOOM is a franchise she always goes back to). She also travels once or twice a year, preferring to immerse herself in a new culture rather than sit poolside. Her dream is to tour Central Asia.
Book an Appointment
If you’re ready to see what intentional manual therapy can do for you, reach out to Active Body Chiropractic: 312-922-9868 to schedule a session with Janie.
