July 15, 2024

Meet Lisa Knight: EveryStep Massage Therapist

A 2022 study by Mayo Clinic researchers found massage therapy is an effective means of reducing pain and stress, and increasing relaxation among hospice patients. Nearly 88% of the patients who completed all the massage therapy sessions in the study indicated very high satisfaction and 100% said they would recommend massage therapy to others.

This isn’t news to EveryStep hospice massage therapist Lisa Knight. “Everyone loves a massage!” says Lisa, who works with EveryStep Hospice patients served by teams in Mount Ayr, Osceola, Winterset and Des Moines.

Lisa says she always had an interest in doing massage and used to rub the shoulders and necks of coworkers at her hometown dental office in Ogden. As she continued her career as a dental hygienist, Lisa began going to massage school part-time, and graduated from Body Wisdom in Urbandale, Iowa in 2007.

With her massage therapy license in hand, Lisa opened a small business called the Relaxation Station in Ogden, where she worked part-time. After moving to Murray in 2016, she took a break from massage therapy for three years. A “just a week” favor to a friend who owns a salon turned into another three years of part-time massage work. Recently retiring from her dental hygiene career after 36 years, Lisa joined EveryStep to do full-time massage work.

“I so enjoy connection with patients on such a different and special level,” says Lisa. “I find that touch is a special part of the hospice journey.” A self-described “people person,” Lisa says she enjoys getting to know her patients and their families. “I love that my patients light up when I come to see them. It’s rewarding to be able to give them relief and relaxation.”

Lisa and her husband, Randy, have four grown children and three baby grandsons. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family and crafting — including creating memory blankets.

EveryStep Hospice helps those living with a serious illness make the best of every day. EveryStep Hospice is Iowa's oldest and largest nonprofit, community-based hospice provider. Since launching our hospice program in 1978, thousands of Iowans have turned to us to find comfort and care when they needed it most. You can find EveryStep Hospice programs based in Centerville, Des Moines, Mount Ayr, Mount Pleasant, Osceola and Winterset.

If you or someone you know needs care or support, complete the confidential "Find Care" form here. The form sends a message to EveryStep staff who then follow up with a phone call. It's a wonderful way to start a conversation and get answers with no cost or commitment. EveryStep can connect the individual to its own programs and services that may be helpful, as well as services offered by other organizations and providers in the community.