Deidre Vandenbos

Deidre Vandenbos founded Sports Massage & Integrated Therapies (S.M.I.T.) in June of 2000. It was built around her dream of offering the advantages of therapeutic massage to the citizens of Atlanta. Deidre's passion is to keep people healthy, happy, and performing at their best during every stage of life from recreational athlete to Olympian. She understands the many intricacies associated with individuals who may be competing, training, recovering, or simply seeking a more satisfying level of physical fitness. She loves educating people on the advantages massage brings to the caliber of their sports training, along with their overall health and quality of life.

Deidre has experience as a road cyclist, swimmer, and Pilates and yoga student. She has also competed in track, basketball, and softball. These personal endeavors help Deidre integrate a practical understanding of her clients' physical needs, thereby improving her ability to implement professional massage training and certifications for the fundamental development of her clients' muscular well-being. She also focuses her professional attention to enhancing muscle performance, treating athletic injuries, and relieving chronic pain. Deidre is able to target the most effective therapy by pinpointing the root cause of a patient's physical concerns through her comprehensive education in biomechanics, physiology, and anatomy. Injury rehabilitation assessment and soft tissue damage prevention are the cornerstones of her approach. Thai massage and Active Isolated Stretching are just a couple of the more modern approaches in which Deidre has been trained.

Deidre's education and experience include:

- Apprenticed before graduating from the Atlanta School of Massage, March 1999, with a certification in Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) and Clinical Sports Massage, with over 175 additional hours of continuing education, has been a full time therapist since '99

- Certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworkers (NCTMB) 2004
- Member of the American Massage Therapy Association since 1999

- Performed, upon invitation, as medical support during the USA Track and Field Indoor Nationals 2000-2001
- Two year member of the massage staff for Atlanta Beat Women's Soccer Team

- Participated with other medical professional as staff for the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tournament in Atlanta, GA 2006

- Worked with other associates at Braves Spring Training Camp in 2003

- Has volunteered in the elite athlete's tent and as part of the medical team for numerous Atlanta athletic community events since summer of '99 (e.g. Peachtree Road Race, the Atlanta Half Marathon & various cross country & high school competitive sports events)

- Travels as a sponsor with SMIT and its staff to races throughout Georgia to perform post race massage (ie. Tugaloo Triathlon, West Point Lakes Triathlon, Acworth Women's Tri, Macon Rock-n-Roll Half Ironman, etc.)

- Additional experience in the areas of pregnancy, migraines, TMJ and post cosmetic surgery

- Has written articles for local area and regional newsletters educating people about overuse, injury rehab and the benefits of massage and incorporating it into a workout regimen

Deidre is the founder and current president of SMIT. She is thrilled to be living her dream of helping Atlanta's recreational, amateur, national class and Olympic athletes. When she is not engaged in professional pursuits, she also loves motorcycling, snorkeling, playing with her dog, and traveling with her family and friends.