Susan G. Salvo is a massage therapist, instructor, and author. Susan's training includes: polarity, infant massage instructor, myotherapy, Trager, hakomi, reflexology, pregnancy massage, sports massage, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular therapy, spa specialist, and watsu. She has studied under many talented people including Bonnie Prudden, Ben Benjamin, Bob King, Benny Vaughn, Carole Osborn, Maria Mathias, and Harold Dull.
Education: In 1982, she completed a 1000 hour program at New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque. She became nationally certifed in 1996. Susan holds an associate degree in history and a baccalaureate degree in education from McNeese State University, where she is currently working on her Masters of Science degree in educational leadership and instructional technology. In 2000, 2007, and 2012, Susan contributed to the National Certification Exam (NCE) and the Massage and Bodywork License Exam (MBLEx) as a committee member.
Publications: As an author, Susan has written Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice and Mosby’s Guide to Pathology for the Massage Therapist, both published by Elsevier. She has also created a series of online courses based on her pathology book. Susan has written "Massage for the Elderly" for Anatomy for Manual Therapies published by Primal Pictures and “Teaching to Students with Learning Challenges” for Teaching Massage, published by the Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. She has also contributed “Geriatric Massage” for Modalities for Massage and Bodywork published by Elsevier. Susan co-authored “Draping and Basic Massage Strokes” for Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual with Trigger Points, Referral Patterns, and Stretching by Elsevier. As a featured instructor, Susan has recorded numerous videos for Oakworks Educational Series as well as her own YouTube channel. Susan is one of the featured experts interviewed in the documentary film, History of Massage Therapy in the United States released in 2007.
Recent History: In 2009, Susan was selected as task force member to compile the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Project. In 2010-11, Susan was a speaker at the following venues:
World Massage Conference –- Massage for Cancer Patients AMTA National Convention (Minneapolis, MN) - – Geriatric Massage AMTA National Convention (Minneapolis, MN) -– Massage for Cancer Patients Massage Therapy Radio -– Geriatric Massage ABMP Webinar –- Teaching Massage: Technology in the Classroom AMTA LA State Workshop (Lafayette, LA) –- Ethics: The Hearth of Health Care Successful Massage Therapist Webinar -– How to Create your Massage Dream Job The Massage Vlogger Webinar - Cancer and Massage Associations: In 1983, Susan became a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She assisted in chartering the Louisiana chapter in 1985. In 1987, she founded the Louisiana AMTA sports massage team, which is still active today. She is also a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. In 2009, Susan served on the advisory board for the American Pregnancy Massage Association.
Awards:
Member of the Year (1989) LA AMTA
State Meritorious Award (1989) LA AMTA
Addy Silver Award (1992) Lake Charles Advertising Federation
Addy Gold Award (1996) Lake Charles Advertising Federation
Pacesetter Award for Business Achievement (1995) LA Gov. Edwin Edwards
Business Person of the Year (1993) American Business Womens Association
State Small Business Person of the Year Award (1996) Louisiana Gov Mike Foster
Eagle Award for Business Achievement (1996) Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Lifetime Achievement Award (2003) Louisiana AMTA
Massage Therapy Hall of Fame (2011) World Massage Festival
Teacher of the Year Award (2011) World Massage Festival
Employment: She owns and operates Bodyworks Massage Therapy by Susan Salvo and Associates which she founded in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1983. In 1987, Susan opened the Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy in Lake Charles, where she serves as director and chief instructor.
Personal: Susan went through massage school and worked the first 8 years of her private practice as a single mother. In 1990, she married her childhood friend, Michael Breaux and they are raising a blended family of 10 children (Jessica, Jason, Jennifer, Justin, Juliet, JT, Chelsea, Christopher, Connor, and Camille). In her free time, Susan likes to cook, travel, and watch old movies.
