Last March, I took a road trip to my home state of Oklahoma to hang out with my colleagues in the Oklahoma Chapter of the AMTA in Tulsa!
I had an early start of 5am, crossing the state line of Arkansas into Oklahoma in Siloam Springs just as the sun was trying to come out of some dark storm clouds. The Entering Cherokee Nation sign is always a wonderful representation of the indigenous culture in Oklahoma!
As my birth state, Oklahoma and I are no stranger to each other. I spent the first 7 years of my life in the Sooner State! And in my early adulthood would make frequent trips to visit my hometown of Davis (near TurnerFalls, The Arbuckle Mountains, Winnewood, Sulphur, Ardmore, or Ada) or the occasional recreational visit to Tulsa for music festivals or concerts (RIP COTU: Center Of The Universe, shout out to Cain's Ballroom, and Oklahoma City where I saw musical goddess herself, Lady Gaga for the Joanne World Tour for the first time). The double overpass and Hard Rock around the Catoosa exit is the first welcoming signs that you've made it to Tulsa!
I made it into a clear morning at Clary Sage College where AMTA Oklahoma held their Education Event with the illustrious Dr. Ben Benjamin of Massachusetts. Clary Sage provided a beautiful venue for our time with Dr. Benjamin.
The Chapter had a table outside the classroom lined with goodie bags for attendees. Plus an Oklahoma Chapter shirt (which they let me take one being a native Oklahoman). I had a great time getting to meet therapists from outside of Arkansas and learning more about how massage therapy works in Oklahoma.
Dr. Benjamin's class provided a great overview of introducing orthopedic assessment and treatment for the neck, shoulders, and knee.
Accompanying Vlogs: https://www.tiktok.com/@kirbyclarkellis.mti/video/7345081533742550315?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7356954434540471851
Peace and Healing,
Kirby Clark Ellis, MTI, BCTMB
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