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.  

During my PT studies, I realized that while I deeply believe in the power of physical therapy, my strengths were better used elsewhere. I found love in working hands on with people; using touch, movement, and targeting techniques to help people feel better in real time. During clinical rotation, I often felt like I was a ping pong trying to bounce around between patient to patient being rushed into the next one. Only a few minutes per person was not what I wanted as a career; I wanted to do more than just do check ins and hand out exercises. I wanted to give someone my full attention and truly focus on their pain. That’s when I decided to turn away from being a PT and moved to being a Massage Therapist where I found the same but new purpose.

My goal at Raffi’s Rehab is simple: to make you feel better in your body. I am a big believer in self-care and in reminding people that they don’t have to live with their pain. Low back issues? Neck and shoulders causing you headaches? Let’s work on it. I focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of pain to provide meaningful, lasting relief. I am always happy to share additional exercises and stretches to support your recovery for even better relief between sessions. Watching people improve each session and regain confidence in how they should feel is the most rewarding part of what I do.

There is no one size fits all massages. Every session starts with understanding what your body is telling us and how can we get it relief. Chronic pain, tight muscles from sitting all day, or stress that won’t let go are all common for people to go through and there is relief out there. As someone who has experienced mental health challenges, I understand that booking a massages can be intimidating. Putting yourself in a vulnerable position with someone new isn’t easy. That’s why I prioritize comfort, communication, and consent above everything else. When you leave my table, my promise is that you will feel heard, supported, and better than when you walked in.  

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