Karen Kowal, RN, LMT NCTMB
NCBTMB  CE Provider # 451143-09    FL CE Broker # 50-11827
has background of diverse experiences in traditional patient-care settings*** during her 30+ years as a Registered Nurse as Staff, Head Nurse, Dept Supervisor positions and as a Director of Nursing.  A passion for learning more about natural options led Karen's interest and attention to CAM approaches in the early 80's after attending a fascinating class about Aromatherapy.  In 1993-94, Karen completed Massage Training, became Nationally Certified and opened her private practice.  Within a few months, she made a commitment to Massage and stepped away from  traditional nursing. Maintaining her Nursing License, she continues to educate others, blending Western medicine with massage and other Complementary practices and has continued to build bridges between these two worlds.

In addition to designing and developing numerous Natural Products, Karen speaks, teaches, and provides training on a wide variety of topics for local, State, Regional, National and International associations, organizations and professional groups.

As a member of ASPMN , Karen has presented pre-conf sessions and specialty topics at conferences.  As a Registered nurse involved in Complementary aspects of Pain Management for the past 16 years, she focuses on the Connective Tissue aspects of pain and information about causative factors of pain to help nurses think beyond meds only… and guiding medical staff to greater comfort as they learn  how to help  patients focus on self-care and eliminate the source of pain when possible.

The medical model of considering ONLY pharmaceutical, surgical or referring to Physical Therapists is broadened as Karen introduces the research and body of knowledge of value of using other options accepted under NCCAM (National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine) branch of NIH. 

Experiential, fresh and unique presentations help her audiences understand different CAM treatments that can complement and accelerate healing to improve patient care!  An interesting portion of a presentation is "Can you touch your client's pain?... why should we and how do we"?  Karen is passionate about bringing 'touch' to patient care... not just another pill in a med cup!

If you are interested in having Karen present an educational program,  please contact her here.. .

As NCBTMB CE Provider for Massage Therapists, Karen teaches a 48-hr Nationally Certified Class for Pillossage™ andThermal Connective Release Techniques.  These classes can also be directed to techniques used by Healing Touch Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Estheticians. 

*** Experience includes; Orthopedics, Pediatrics, OB-Gyn, ICU, EENT, Med-Surg, Cardiac Step-Down, Med / Surg Acute Rehab, Psych- Adult, Psych-Child/Adolescent, Mental Health Programs and Drug/Alcohol Treatment Centers
Presenting classes on diverse topics that include;
     Comlementary Pain Management
            Healthcare Practitioners, Medical Staff, Therapists, General Public
     Self-Care Techniques for Managing Chronic Pain
            Professionals, Clinics, general Population
     Clinical Aromatherapy in Healthcare
            Registered Nurses, Patient Care Staff, Hospice Staff, Massage Therapists
     The Art and Science of Aromatherapy
            Professional Presentations, Community Outreach and Education
     Ethics of Aromatherapy Practices and Safety Issues 
            Nurses and Massage Therapists
     Complementary Care in Today's Health Systems
            Healthcare Practitioners
     Integrating CAM in our Medical Facilities
            Healthcare Practitioners
     Creating Respite Rooms for Hospital Staff - the How and Why
            Healthcare Practitioners
     Research Using Mother Earth Pillows®
            Healthcare Practitioners
     Fascia, the Connective Tissue System and What All HealthCare Practitioners Should Know
            Healthcare Practitioners
     The Art and Science of Doing Nothing
            General Public and Healthcare Practitioners
     Fibromyalgia... Natural Self-Care Approaches that Work to Decrease Pain
            HealthCare Practitioners, those with FMS, CFS
     Massage Classes on various Techniques, Client Problem Solving Approaches
            Massage Therapists, Spa Staff
     Solutions for Spas to Increase Revenue and Services 
            Spa Staff, Estheticians, Massage Therapists

Presentations on a wide range of topics have been offered for;
       National Society of Pain Management Nursing - VA
       Missouri Society of Pain Managment Nursing - MO
       Nursing Conferences - MO, IL, NY
       Barnes-Jewish School of Nursing - St Louis, MO
       Missouri Fibromyalgia Coalition - Kansas City, MO
       International Fibromyalgia Conference - AZ
       National Medical Transcription Assoc - KS
       National Fibromyalgia Awareness Conference - CA
       Hospice & Home Health - MO, KS, UT
       National Wellness Institute - Univ of WI
       St Anthony's Medical Center - St Louis, MO
       Shriner's Hospital - MO
       Sigma Theta Tau - MO
       MO AMTA Conference - MO
       Spa Staff Training - MO, KS, IL, VA, NC
       Spa / Esthetician National Educ Conf - IL, CA, FL, NC

 


American Massage Therapist Association      

National Certified Therapist of Massage and Bodywork 

Arnold Chamber of Commerce

International Spa Association

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization