Member Highlight: Hannah Rohloff of Tessera Therapeutic Massage
Tell us about Tessera Therapeutic Massage:
Tessera Therapeutic Massage is a solo practitioner massage therapy office specializing in oncology massage and manual lymph drainage. My office was originally located on Elm Street but like many, I was displaced by the flooding in 2023. I'm now located at the Cross House at 56 East State Street. Two days a week, I'm in the Radiation Oncology department at CVMC offering massage to patients in active treatment. When time allows, I volunteer with Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice to provide massage for hospice patients. I do stay busy and I'm fortunate to be able to do what I love full time. I'm proud to be a licensed massage therapist and a certified lymphedema therapist.
How did you get started in massage and in your specialty?
I was working as a critical care veterinary technician at Angell Animal Hospital in Boston when I experienced extreme emotional burnout. I wanted to switch to a more holistic career that was still medical field adjacent. I decided to return to school for massage therapy. While in massage school, I learned about an oncology massage internship, training massage therapists to safely work with cancer patients. I knew immediately that was my future path. I worked as a massage therapist for several years in Boston, but when I returned to Vermont, I decided to start my own practice and really lean into marketing to my specialty areas. As I mentioned, I work with both people with cancer histories and those living with active cancer and going through cancer treatments. My other passion is providing bodywork support before and after gender affirming surgeries for transgender and gender nonconforming folks. I've trained extensively in working with scars, swelling, and surgical recovery support and have almost 15 years of hands-on experience now. I strive to create a trauma informed, safer space for every body.
What's unique about your practice?
As mentioned above, I've chosen to specialize my massage practice. I do still provide therapeutic and relaxation massage to my current clients and certainly blend that into all my sessions. But I only take new clients in my two specialty areas. I'm an endlessly curious life long learner and since I work for myself, I indulge in hours and hours of additional training every year in my speciality areas. This is a huge bonus of being your own boss! I just finished an online training in Neuro Lymphatic Therapy and have signed up for Part 2 of a Breast Cancer Rehabilitation course. I'm partway through a six week online cohort called Creating Safer Spaces: Embodying Your Commitment to Trans Inclusion. And I'm typing from the airport on my way to the National Lymphedema Network's in person conference. My hands-on work is guided by current research and evolves with each training I take.
What do you like about having a practice in Montpelier and like about downtown Montpelier?
My very first apartment was in Montpelier and I've loved returning as a business owner. I have always felt welcomed by the other business owners in downtown and the adjacent areas - I feel like the population is active and embraces self care and wellness. We have such an abundance of health and wellness practitioners and I treasure the supportive, non-competitive community here. I have also found many close female business owner friends and mentors and they are each deeply valuable and inspiring to me.
I love the small town feel where I walk down the street and run into so many familiar faces. It makes simple errands a recharging experience where you can get chai and a hug, a sweet treat and a friendly chat, and a print job done in minutes!