Gabriela Cascante, LMT
"Increase Mobility and Performance.
Decrease everyday Stress and Tension.
Become more Aware of your Body."
As far back as I can remember, my family members and friends frequently asked me to massage them. Whether it was helping my uncle relax (or, as he used to kid, helping him grow hair on his bald head) or easing the pain in my mom’s shoulders, I enjoyed the fact that I was able to make them feel better. As I grew older, my fascination and interest in how the human body worked continued to grow.
As a child and then later as a young adult, I was very active. I was a talented gymnast and strong swimmer. Later I started strength training, Pilates and Yoga. All of my athletic experiences (achievements and injuries included) made me very aware of my body, its limits and its needs. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the youthful years I enjoyed so much would be the under tow that ultimately pulled me into my career as a massage therapist.
Just out of high school, with dreams of being a successful business woman, I attended Katherine Gibbs Business School. Although I found the coursework interesting, like so many people in the business world, I started to feel that my training and career aspirations were starting to separate. On the one hand, I had a deep appreciation for business. On the other, I felt that I really wanted to help people, not just make money.
As a result, I decided to join the medical industry and took a role in administration. I became a Unit Coordinator for the Cardiac Unit at Stamford Hospital. I felt that this type of a role would allow me to exercise my business acumen while helping to care for people that were in need. After several years, I realized I didn’t enjoy many of the aspects of operating a business and become aware of just how much I really wanted to work directly with the patients.
So, I found my way to The Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, and enrolled in the Clinical Massage Therapy Program. After graduating and receiving my license, in 2003 I started my own massage practice. Back then, most of my clients were oncology patients who were referred to me by the very same doctors I used to support in an administrative capacity. As more doctors got to know me and the kind of work I was doing, my practice continued to grow. End-stage Cancer patients who had exhausted medication and were in need of pain relief were being refereed to me. I was there to give them the benefits of therapeutic touch and encourage their body’s own pain relievers.
After having my own two children, I was offered an opportunity to join Derma Clinic, a well-known and respected spa. While there, I introduced several medical massage techniques t enabling the clinic to offer more than just therapeutic massage. I also took the opportunity to learn other luxury techniques; such as, European Mud Wraps, Exfoliating Body Treatments and even Tanning Treatments - all of which I still offer.
In 2008 I decided to join Westport Therapeutic were I am surrounded by other very talented independent practitioners that compliment and support each other.
