About Me

I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel better in their bodies. My journey into bodywork started early—before I even realized it would become my career.

In 1999, I graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology. My studies took me from an internship in the mountains of Virginia to a semester abroad in Australia, shaping my appreciation for a diversity of people, movement, wellness, and hands-on care.

In college at 19 years old, I discovered Watsu (aquatic bodywork) and became a practitioner in 1998. That’s when I knew—I had a natural instinct for bodywork.

Building a Foundation in Care & Bodywork

After college, I worked for two years in Therapeutic Recreation, supporting adults with developmental disabilities in group home settings. I used at home and community based recreation as a tool and a goal—pool exercise, camping in the mountains, attending plays, and creating art. This work reinforced my passion for helping people move, heal, and experience life more fully.

In 2002, I graduated from the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy. Over the next five years, I built my own business in North Carolina, served on the school's Advisory Board, and even became part of the staff, teaching future massage therapists.

Expanding My Expertise

In 2008, my husband and I moved to Austin, Texas where I both contracted and ran a private practice. I also spent two and a half years working with the University of Texas Women’s Athletics Program, treating athletes performing at a highly competitive level.

My training spans multiple modalities, including Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT), and Watsu. Over the years, I’ve continued to refine my approach with advanced coursework in:
✔ NMT for TMJ Disorder (jaw pain & dysfunction)
✔ Advanced anterior neck techniques
✔ Headache relief strategies
✔ Anatomy Trains with Tom Myers
✔ Cadaver lab dissection studies
✔ Muscle Energy Technique & Myofascial Release
✔ Physical therapy-based TMJ treatment
✔ Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)

As I developed a specialized focus in TMJ massage, I sought out the best education in the field. In 2016, I completed Judith Delany’s NMT certification, requiring extensive training and testing. I later became a table assistant for her continuing education programs, bringing me back to my love for teaching hands-on techniques.

Teaching & Online Courses: Empowering People with Self-Relief Techniques

Beyond my private practice, I’m passionate about teaching people how to manage their own pain at home. I’ve developed two online courses designed to help people relieve the muscular side of head, neck, and jaw pain through self-massage and targeted techniques. These courses make professional-level relief accessible to anyone, anywhere.

I also speak at conferences and events, teaching professionals, and individuals the importance of or how to address the muscular side of jaw tension, headaches, and TMJ dysfunction. If you’re interested in booking me to speak or learning more about my courses, please reach out!

Groups I’ve spoken to include:

• Tourette Associate of America, National Conference

• Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

• Texas Dental Hygienists Association

• Greater Austin Dental Hygienists Association

• EPG is 40 conference

Beyond the Treatment Room

I believe in hands-on wellness—whether it’s through my work, my personal life, or my community. I’m part of a team that established and runs a community garden in East Austin, where my family’s 10' x 20' plot keeps us stocked with fresh vegetables.

My husband and I have enjoyed living in Austin for 18 years, raising our Texas-born children, camping at music festivals, and even keeping backyard chickens. 

Massage Pet Peeves:

❌ When therapists just rub my hair around instead of working on the muscles & fascia of my scalp

❌ Being cold on a massage table

❌ When therapists skip over my arms and hands—they need work too!

❌ When a therapist doesn’t seem to know the anatomy of the neck—I can feel the difference when someone truly understands how to release tension safely in those important muscles.

— Katie Pudhorodsky, LMT