Welcome to Sonora Wellcare
Thanks for visiting the site!
I’m Sondra, and I believe I came into this world to be a “helper.” I began working in allopathic medicine after high school at the age of 18 as a medical assistant. I later went on to study respiratory therapy and then into nursing, but it was in my search for answers to symptoms I was having which steered me away from mainstream medicine to seek out alternative modalities in complementary medicine, particularly in the modalities of reflexology and massage.
I have been married to my best friend for 41 years. We have one son, and he brings a lot of laughter and joy into our lives. I am active in Sweet Adelines and an active member of my local church.
Changing career paths was profound.
My interest in complementary medicine education began when I saw the wonderful outcomes in which Britain’s Sally Kay was having in lymphedema patients utilizing Reflexology Lymph Drainage — this protocol has proven beneficial for many with lymph stasis. This was the spark I needed to embrace therapies beyond allopathic medicine, therapies which could benefit those with lymphatic disorders and other chronic diseases. Since that time, I’ve been fortunate to study foot, hand, ear and facial reflexology under several National Council for Reflexology Educators, including the late Cheryl Speen, Chantel Lucier, and Ralph Richey. I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to study with Ralph and complete the program at the Reflexology Institute of Arizona, one of only five schools in the US to achieve NCRE-approved reflexology curriculums, and to also complete the reflexology program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.
My focus has gone beyond nursing to embrace modalities to assist the mind/body/spirit. I work primarily with massage and reflexology, drawing from eastern and western modalities to address the issue of dis-ease. I am a certified instructor with both Empowered Relief® and the Myofascial Energetic Length Technique® and in the near future will also be offering these classes to assist people to gain a better level of wellness in the life they want to live.
My concentration has been in learning modalities which affect and improve lymph function, fight inflammation, and control pain, and to that end I’ve also studied manual and digital auriculotherapy, Reiki, Ayurvedic head massage, Thai foot massage, and sound and vibration. I am an instructor for Empowered Relief®, a hand and foot instructor for Myofascial Energetic Length Technique®, and a certified therapist in manual lymph drainage with Klose Training.
A chronic condition which I thought was just a part of getting old was resolved once I began massage school — that’s when I began to appreciate the power of massage. As a graduate of the Arizona School of Medical Massage and Wellness (ASMMW), I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to train under Certified Medical Massage Practitioners Tammy Roecker, Kristi Tidwell, and Richard Abisia, and also Jennica Klemann. ASMMW is the first medical massage school in Arizona, and this 700-hour program has been approved by the Arizona Medical Board, a first in the U.S.
I’m always learning.
In addition to education in therapeutic massage, I’ve completed over 750 additional credit hours through ongoing continuing clinical education in complementary and alternative modalities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support others on their healing journey as they navigate their path to improved health and wellness.