Meet April VanBuskirk-Rader

The Story Behind My Calling

My journey into massage therapy didn't begin in a classroom—it began watching my mother suffer.

Years ago, my mother experienced double sciatica due to a work injury. The pain was unbearable. She tried everything conventional medicine had to offer, but nothing provided lasting relief. Eventually, she became dependent on narcotics just to get through the day.

Then something remarkable happened. A progressive doctor suggested she try massage therapy before resorting to more invasive treatments. After just 12 massage therapy sessions, my mother was able to walk pain-free—and she stopped taking narcotics entirely.

Witnessing this transformation changed everything for me. I saw firsthand how therapeutic bodywork could succeed where medications and conventional treatments had failed. That's when I knew: this was my calling.

My Education & Training

I graduated from the National Holistic Institute (NHI) in Emeryville in 1998, earning my California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification. But my education didn't stop there.

Over the past 20+ years, I've dedicated myself to continuous learning and specialization:

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification (MLD-C) — Specialized training in this gentle, precise technique for edema reduction, pre/post-surgical care, and chronic inflammation
• Reiki Master — Trained in Japanese energy healing for spiritual and physical balance
• Raindrop Technique Practitioner — Certified in Young Living's proprietary wellness protocol (since 2011)
• Myofascial Release Specialist — My signature modality, refined over 10,000+ hours of hands-on work
• Prenatal Massage Specialist — Advanced training in pregnancy-specific techniques and positioning

My Approach: Medical + Holistic

I'm not a spa therapist focused on relaxation (though my work is deeply relaxing). I'm a medical-oriented massage therapist who treats the body as an integrated system.

My specialties include:

• Pre/Post-Surgical Care — Preparing the body for surgery and accelerating recovery afterward
• Chronic Pain Management — Addressing severe and complex muscular and fascial tension
• Pregnancy Massage — Safe, nurturing care throughout all stages of pregnancy
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage — For edema, inflammation, and immune support
• Reiki & Energy Work — Balancing the body's energy system for holistic healing

What Makes My Work Different

After 10,000+ hours of hands-on experience, I've developed an intuitive understanding of how the body compensates for pain, injury, and stress. I don't just address symptoms—I look for root causes.

My Commitment to You

For over two decades, I've devoted my career to helping clients:

• Reduce pain and increase mobility
• Decrease stress and improve overall wellbeing
• Recover faster from surgery and injury
• Understand their conditions for better self-care
• Find relief when conventional treatments haven't worked

Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, preparing for surgery, navigating pregnancy, or simply need to reduce stress—I'm here to help you feel better, move better, and live better.