Instructor: Christopher Deery

Christopher Deery
Biography:

Christopher Deery is originally from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He trained at Massage Therapy Institute of Oklahoma and graduated in 1996. He worked in several different practice setting such as salon/spa, a physical therapy clinic and a private massage office before returning to MTIO and undergoing additional education, completing his Instructor Training in late 1997. He achieved National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB) in 1997 and began teaching Massage Therapy programmatically in 1999.

In his process of becoming such a successful therapist he has encountered a variety of issues regarding professional practices, full vs. part-time practice and gender issues of being a male therapist. Christopher instructed classes at Massage Therapy Institute of Oklahoma and was the coordinator of the "Hired Hands" Sports Massage Team. As coordinator of the Sports Massage Team, he maintained and increased the ongoing contract with Oklahoma State University, facilitated the program's growth to include the University of Tulsa, Union High School, and other sports programs throughout the region.

He was also a member of the Sports Medicine Committee for Tulsa Technology Center. While based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christopher had the opportunity to work with several orthopedic groups, pain management practices, and professional and collegiate sports teams. He and his business and life partner Xerlan created and managed private practices and a multidisciplinary clinic in Tulsa until they relocated to Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2012. Christopher now maintains his private practice in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania with his and his wife's company Phoenixville Massage and Bodywork as well as teaching with Anatriptic Alchemy.

He has a deep respect for science and research literacy, and a passion for "raising the floor", instead of "raising the bar" for the profession of massage therapy. He has helped design curriculum for massage schools, including the Institute for Therapeutic Massage &Bodywork in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, where he was the director of sciences and taught programmatically for four years. His areas of focus are sports massage, massage for pain, and recognition and refinement in topics such as fascial techniques, trigger point work, and resistive modalities. He studied with Dr. Bruno Chikly and assists in teaching Lymphatic Drainage classes. 

Christopher has served as a volunteer leader with the American Massage Therapy Association, serving as national president in 2019. He also has volunteered for the Massage Therapy Foundation as a subject matter expert on the topic of massage and pain, and on the board of trustees. He was elected to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a professional member, where he currently serves.

He resides in Phoenixville, PA with his wife Xerlan. He has three sons, two (step/bonus) daughters, two grandchildren and a wonderful rescue dog. He enjoys writing, music, gardening, the culinary arts, and sports.


Classes by this instructor


Join us on campus April 21-23 for the 2023 Oncology Massage Healing Summit. Our theme is "Collaborative Connections" so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to engage with colleagues.
12 CE Hours, Main Conference, April 21-22, 2023, Fri, 8am-5pm, Sat, 8am-5pm, 6 CE hours, Post Conference, Sun, April 23, 2023, 8am-3pm., Auditorium