How I became a Massage Therapist:
Hey there, my name is Raphael Dymek but most people that know me call me “Raffi”. I am a Licensed Massage therapist here in Pennsylvania currently working out of my little studio in Lawrenceville. I am a born and raised Pittsburgh yinzer and did my undergraduate degree at University of Pittsburgh where I majored in Exercise Science. Helping people has always been at the core of what I wanted to do which originally led me to pursue graduate school for Physical Therapy. About a year and a half into my graduate schooling and clinical rotations, I realized that path was not the life I truly wanted for myself. I wanted to devote my full attention to someone during the entire time they were with me; not just assign exercises before moving on to the next patient or spend hours backlogged with documentation due to the sheer volume of people being treated. I don’t blame physical therapists for this, as it is often the clinic environment and healthcare system that place them in those positions. But for me personally, I wanted more time to listen, connect, and fully focus on the person I was trying to help. That realization led me to leave PT school and take a lateral step into Massage Therapy.
I am incredibly grateful for everything I learned during my undergraduate and graduate education because it gave me a huge advantage when I entered massage therapy school. Instead of needing to devote time to studying things like anatomy, biomechanics, or treatment concepts, I was able to fully focus on refining my hands on techniques and develop my ability to help people effectively. By the time I graduated, I already felt confident in my abilities and excited for what was ahead of me.
When I started working in both a spa and gym setting, I immediately began receiving amazing feedback despite being newly licensed. Clients were telling me how they appreciated how well I listened, was able to personalize their session, and give them exactly what they were looking for. People were quickly rebooking with me specifically and I was praised by my colleagues with how well I was performing right out of school. That encouragement really fueled me to constantly work at my best every session no matter how long my day was and who was on my table, I was just excited to continue making people feel better.
Eventually I learned of a small studio space opening up in Lawrenceville underneath a tattoo shop. The moment I saw it I realized it was my opportunity to begin building something of my own. Put a name on my work so to speak. It gave me the chance to create the environment and vibe I envisioned for myself as a healer. One where I could work closely with clients, take my time with each person coming in, and provide quality care without feeling overbooked or rushed. I also wanted to make massage therapy more accessible by offering rates lower than many surrounding areas while giving high quality treatment. Seeing the positive impact that had on the people coming onto my table only fueled my passion even more. Everyday I am able to go to the studio, I am grateful with a smile on my face knowing people are trusting me to make a difference in their lives. My mission became clear quickly after starting: massage therapy designed to help you move better, feel better, and live better.
If you are ready to see what relief I can give you, take the next step with me by booking a session in the bookings tab of the website. If you have any questions beforehand, feel free to send me a message through the site’s contact system. I am always happy to help you figure out what’s best for you and whether or not massage can be beneficial. You can also check out my Instagram page for updates, tips, and a peak behind the scenes of Raffi’s Rehab. I can’t wait to work with you and help you feel better one session at a time. I hope to see you soon!
-Raphael Dymek, LMT
