Yvonne Zipter, LMT, BCTMB

Yvonne completed her massage therapy training at the Cortiva Institute in Chicago in 2007. Following graduation, she earned certifications in prenatal and geriatric massage and became Board Certified with the NCBTMB in 2014. Early in her career, she worked primarily with amateur athletes—triathletes and runners, mostly—but now works mainly with issues related to disability. Yvonne has never gotten over the thrill of being able to help people feel better and loves exploring the many ways massage can improve our health.

Here are my most recent posts:

14 Massage Contraindications: When to Avoid or Modify Treatment

July 18th, 2025

Massage therapists champion the many benefits of bodywork—from pain relief and improved circulation to enhanced mental wellness. But safe practice also means knowing when not to massage. In 2025, informed consent and nuanced clinical reasoning are more essential than ever. Below is a professional guide for assessing and modifying client care safely.

Is Getting a Massage Before a Workout a Bad Idea?

January 30th, 2020

Conventional wisdom says that a massage prior to a workout is a not good thing to do, but what does the research say?

Photo of man lying supine on massage taken from above with therapists hands applied to back

Safety Risks for Clients….and Massage Therapists

November 19th, 2019

Most of a massage therapist’s training is focused on ensuring the client’s safety during treatment. However, the therapist’s safety must also be a priority.

7 Massage Benefits for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

October 11th, 2019

Discover the benefits of massage for those who have or had breast cancer. Learn which types of massage are most beneficial for work with cancer patients and survivors, and 6 contraindications to look for before starting treatment.

Rare But Potential Adverse Events Resulting from Massage

September 6th, 2019

While massage is generally considered a safe form of therapy, it is not entirely free of risks. In any discussion of negative effects resulting from massage, however, it’s important to distinguish between side effects and adverse events.

5 Reasons Why All Massage Therapists Should Know How to Do Chair Massage

August 22nd, 2019

Learn more about chair massage therapy, its 10 main benefits, plus 5 amazing reasons offering chair massage can be a valuable asset to your massage practice.

13 Instances When Massage Should Be Avoided

May 21st, 2019

Find out when massage isn’t appropriate because of the risks involved.

8 Self-Care Tips for Massage Therapists

March 7th, 2019

Taking care of yourself, in body, mind and spirit, is the best way of ensuring that you will be able to give the best healing touch to your massage clients.

Should You Offer Massage with CBD Oil and CBD Cream?

February 26th, 2019

Massage therapists are always looking for new ways to provide their clients with a better massage experience. Perhaps this quest has led you to consider offering massage with cannabidiol oil or cream for your clients. If so, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider, ranging from potential benefits and risks, to questions of legality.

10 Must Have Massage Tools for 2019

December 20th, 2018

The New Year is a time of renewal and new beginnings, which makes it a perfect time to imbue your massage practice with new life by adding fresh tools to your toolbox.