Fibroids No More, Rosha Williams back to her Active Lifestyle

Her mother, aunt, sister, and niece all suffered from fibroids, Rosha Williams knew the stakes were against her when it came to predisposed family medical conditions. When she first recognized the unmistakable symptoms of cramping, weight gain, bloating, pelvic pain, and heavy blood flow, Rosha knew she had to act quickly.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that live in and around the uterus, and grow larger via nourishment from adjoining veins, causing debilitating discomfort if untreated. Treatment options have been traditionally scant, leaving many women to suffer in silence.

For her, the hysterectomy option was not up for debate. The invasive procedure would have left her on bed rest for at least six weeks, something the mother of three couldn’t afford to do.

To explore more options, Rosha was referred to Dr. Cohen at Vascular Interventional Physicians where she learned she was an ideal candidate for Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). UFE is a new type of treatment where a small catheter-like device is inserted into a wrist vein, cutting off blood supply to the fibroids, so that they shrink and are released through menstrual discharge.

Rather than insist on UFE, Dr. Cohen encouraged Rosha to take her time in choosing, leaving her with his business card. Any time Rosha emailed him with questions, Dr. Cohen promptly responded to talk her through any questions, concerns, or fears she had. She credits him with having given her the confidence and mindset to reach her decision. “Dr. Cohen is a good person first, and a good doctor second.”

In the two months from Rosha’s initial consultation to procedure day, Dr. Cohen’s office ran all the tests, updating her on every factor, possible side effect, and outcome, so that Rosha felt fully prepared for the entire experience. Nothing came as a surprise and no nerves were involved.

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Cohen asked Rosha what music she liked to hear, and she responded with Michael Jackson. The 80s pop tunes drifted Rosha into what seemed like a few seconds of shuteye, leaving her to wonder when they would start.

Dr. Cohen answered with a laugh, “We’re already done. Your prescriptions are waiting for you at the pharmacy.” Within just a few days, Rosha was back to resuming her regular life, something the healthcare worker appreciated as someone who is constantly on her feet.

“I can go swimming, walking, take long drives, and don’t have to plan my vacations around my cycles,” Rosha gushes. Additionally, her bloating and weight flare-ups have subsided and she feels much more comfortable. She can also freely enjoy foods like milk and turmeric, something that was nearly impossible with uterine fibroids.

Having the option to make an informed decision through working with Dr. Cohen at Vascular Interventional Physicians is what allowed Rosha to take back control of her life, and she is grateful to share her positive experience with the hope that her story might also help someone else.

What are uterine fibroids? Non-cancerous uterus tumors

Not always. While upwards of 70% of women develop these by the age of 50, only about half will develop symptoms.

Fibroids tend to mimic period-like symptoms, including heavy bleeding, spotting, and significant cramping. Other symptoms include bloating, constipation, frequent urination, and lower back/ leg pain.

While this is a spectrum, periods on average tend to last between 3-5 days and don’t typically contain large blood clots in your discharge. Cramping is regular, but should not be debilitating or result in lower back pain. For severe cramping upwards of a 7/10 pain level, please consult your doctor.

While there is a genetic component to tumors, being diagnosed with fibroids does not necessarily mean you will need a hysterectomy. There are multiple, less invasive treatment options today that you can discuss with your doctor.

The most effective method is done via a pelvic ultrasound. Additional MRI imaging may sometimes be requested.

We recommend starting with your primary care provider, who will refer you to an OB-GYN or Interventional Radiologist (IR) for treatment.

They are minimally-invasive surgeons that use advanced medical imaging technology to perform procedures in an outpatient setting, with no large incisions or long recovery times. This type of doctor would perform Uterine Fibroid Embolization to treat symptomatic fibroids.

As the days of hypersensitivity around the covid pandemic begin to wane and the world begins to return to a “new normal”, one of the best businesses to get into is massage therapy. According to a recent national poll by Massage Magazine, respondents consistently checked off the option of “I have more business/inquiries than I can handle.” This is definitely a trend seen in the local market as well, business is booming! “There aren’t enough great therapists still practicing in the marketplace. There are probably a number of reasons for this, but the bottom line is, now is one of the best times to get into massage therapy in the last 20 years.” So says David Pryor of Tennessee School of Massage and Living Health Day Spa. “We’ve seen a huge demand for highly skilled massage therapists at the school and our businesses have grown and even expanded after the pandemic. I get calls weekly, sometimes daily from day spa owners, trainers, salons and chiropractors looking to fill positions. The industry is poised for fantastic growth.”

Even before covid, the massage industry had grown into a well-respected and lucrative industry. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 144,600 massage therapist employed across the U.S. It is also estimated there will be a 32% employment increase between 2020 and 2030, “as more healthcare providers understand the benefits of massage, with these services becoming part of treatment plans.” According to ziprecruiter, in Tennessee the average annual salary for massage therapist is $52,707.00, so it’s clear to see why massage therapy remains a prominent career path of choice.

In addition to offering a curriculum on the leading edge of the industry trends (think sound therapy with gongs, an entire course on aromatherapy, therapeutic touch, cupping, reflexology) Tennessee School of Massage offers a competitive edge for its students by offering both theoretical and practical education—all under one roof. Students can gain the scientific expertise needed to be successful while experiencing hands-on clinical exposure— bringing the concept of art and science full circle. “By having our practice and school all in the same building, I think that’s what sets us apart,” said Pryor. “Other programs have a student clinic, and the students never get a realistic sense of their immediate monetary value upon graduating. They leave school knowing that whatever massage they have been providing has been done at a drastically reduced price and they’re not sure what to charge for their work. We arm our students with the skills to command top-dollar, helping them to launch their careers much faster.”

The road to a career in massage therapy begins with a solid education. In Tennessee, students must obtain a minimum of 500 hours of instruction from an approved school and pass the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board’s (FSMTB) Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). A robust program will cover massage application, pathology, kinesiology, law, ethics, body systems and anatomy and physiology. Another advantage of the massage therapy career track is that most students can complete the program in approximately a year or less. Additionally, the full cost of tuition can range between $8,000 to $14,500 (depending on the program). With the national average tuition of an undergraduate degree ringing in at just about $35,000, most students appreciate obtaining a marketable skill, at a fraction of the cost and at a fourth of the time. And leaving school with no debt is a real bonus in these days of overwhelming student loans.

Once a student has earned the title of, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), they will find a number of career options at their disposal. LMTs work in chiropractic offices, day spas, on cruise lines, with professional sports teams, in hospitals and resorts. Many students have used a career in massage therapy as a platform to either start their own private practice or as a segue into physical therapy programs (which have been traditionally challenging to enter without some prior knowledge of the industry and practical experience). In short, the options are endless.

If you’ve been interested in learning more about the industry or have a knack for giving great massages, then a career as a massage therapist may be the solution you’ve been seeking. At the Tennessee School of Massage, you’ll appreciate small class sizes and individual attention, an array of class options (with day and evening availability) and convenient payment plans.

The Tennessee School of Massage is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm www.massage-exam.com/tennessee-massage.php www.studentdebtrelief.us/news/average-cost-of-college-2018/ The TennesseeSchool of Massage is approved by The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veteran training. The TennesseeSchool of Massage is approved by the Tennessee Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide vocational rehabilitation training. www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Massage-Therapist-Salary-by-State)