Who is Ben Volkmann? A Clinical SMRT Massage Therapist
Ben's Philosophy regarding Health and the Body
Ben believes that any one part of the body out of balance pulls other things out of balance which can cause pain. This viewpoint of holistic medicine is a little unusual in Western medicine but very common in Eastern medicine. He looked for a good education that would balance between the two.
He practices SMRT (spontaneous muscle release technique). This practice is so incredibly effective in such a short time to people who suffer from pain that it feels like a miracle move. It is simply understanding how the body works and having an advanced knowledge of the anatomy to work with the body to find it's balance.
Ben's History
Ben started doing amateur massage in his teenage years. Over the years he had been told he needed to find some formal training and that he'd be amazing. He instead chose to go into Information technology. He would occasionally attend bodywork events learning things like Healing Human Touch, Ayurvedic Tantric breath work, energy balancing, sound therapy, basic Herbalism, all based in Eastern Medicine principals. After spending 20 years in the IT industry and feeling burnt out Ben took a sabbatical in 2021. While on his sabbatical he rediscovered the reward of helping someone through massage and so he started exploring options for getting the formal education. Finding several excellent options for an education and having trouble deciding on on Ben resorted to tossing a coin to trust to fate, he ended up moving to Denver to go to school. While waiting for school to start, he took a job at Presbyterian St Luke's hospital in the emergency department as a registrar, figuring that this would give him a great way to be able to learn how to deal with insurance and people's personal information. This provided a good resource for him to learn more about the body and about health care while being able to go to school and still have a little bit of time off.
After several referrals to the Full Circle School of Massage Therapy, Ben decided to check it out. Finding a school that taught a balanced east meets west curriculum Ben was intrigued and signed up for the class that started in January 2023 and found it to be exceedingly rewarding to study and learn from some amazing teachers with diverse backgrounds.
He continues to educate himself taking continuing education classes from various sources to learn other ways to help his clients and help himself. He is always open and honest with his clients and will let them know if he doesn't know something and will network and research to find a solution for them.
In his off time he enjoys spending time with his husband and friends, playing MTG, Cards against Humanity, exploring by camping, hiking chasing waterfalls and hot springs, reading, trying new foods and supporting various LGBTQIA+ causes.
Education
Education is very important when it comes to dealing with medial issues and your body. He prides himself on keeping up with continuing education in a state that doesn't require it from Massage Therapists. Ben likes to say it shows his commitment to his clients but it also helps him find new ways to help be a much more effective therapist! His Goal is to take 70 Continuing Eduction credits a year.
Full Circle School of Massage Therapy - One of the best medical massage schools in the country.
Completed Basic medical massage program and certified: Full Body SMRT Therapist
Advanced SMRT: Lower Extermities
Advanced SMRT Hip, Abdomen, Rib Cage, Visceral Organs
Advanced SMRT: Hand, Arm, Neck & Head* (class scheduled in June 2025)
SMRT: The Student Experience
SMRT: Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Scar Tissue Work
Helping Military Veterans with Massage Therapy
A Detailed Approach to Side Lying Techniques: Parts 1-3 Shoulder, Back, Hip
Table and Chair Thai Yoga Massage: Clients' Favorite Techniques
Working with Trama Clients
Considerations for the pregnant client
Colorado License MT.0026292
Specialties
Ben specializes in Massage for Feet, Hands and Head, Scar Tissue Treatment & Lymphatic Drainage. These are areas often many Massage Therapists either
- do not want to touch, or
- they do not know how to work these areas
- Or they believe it is dangerous to work these areas.
Ben has focused his education and training on working these areas and has successfully helped numerous clients with painful issues that others have often told them that there is nothing anyone can do for them or that they don't know why someone is in pain.
