Cynthia grew up in a small town in North Dakota. She loves the outdoors as well as baking bread or trying out a new recipe for family or friends. Her interests include short and long-distance running, hiking, spending time with family, board games, traveling abroad, or going to a serene lake cabin where she can relax on a boat with a good book or a fishing pole. She loves staying active and providing a service of value to others. Whether in her personal or professional life, or volunteering for a cause she is passionate about promoting health and wellness.
She has always been drawn to the healthcare field. Her path to therapeutic massage was a natural progression as she had already learned some basic massage techniques while obtaining her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Understanding the value of human touch and presence, she provided an evening massage to her patients while working in the hospital. She found patients would often use that time to share concerns and ask questions about their health they may not have otherwise. In return, she was able to offer reassurance, encouragement, and education. Many years later, she became certified in therapeutic massage as a second career.
One of her favorite challenges of this second career is evaluating each client’s unique needs and implementing techniques specific to that individual. She listens to each client’s questions, concerns, and reasons for pursuing therapeutic massage, feeling this is vital in developing a mutually agreed upon team approach and working towards meeting their overall health and wellness goals.
She is experienced in providing orthopedic and pain management massages, therapeutic trigger point release, and general therapeutic relaxation massages. Her professional interests include sports injuries, chronic pain or illness, overuse or repetitive strain injury and rehabilitation, geriatrics, fibromyalgia, prenatal, general wellness, and prevention.
“Knowing that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach is both the challenge and the benefit I love in this line of work.”
Her practice philosophy sounds simple as she states she “is committed to a team approach between client and therapist working together toward a renewed sense of wellness and balance.” But her education and passion for helping drive results from that commitment.
Educational Background:
CMT Minneapolis School of Massage and Bodywork: 1995
Sister Rosalind Gefre’s School of Professional Massage: 2007
RN, BSN: 1987
Certifications:
Certified Massage Therapist, Esalen, Swedish massage, Orthopedic Massage and Pain Management, Healing Touch, Reflexology, Myofascial, Prenatal, Russian, Seated Chair, and Stone Therapy.
Dr. Jessica Frier is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine who specializes in reproductive health, pelvic floor disorders, and complex chronic pain conditions.
From a young age, Dr. Jess felt drawn to helping people. Growing up, her first job in a nursing home helped to guide her towards the healthcare field. During college, she worked in an Alzheimer’s care facility and as a hospital phlebotomist. Working as a nursing assistant in a Women’s Health clinic set her on a path toward a career in reproductive medicine. In the beginning of her professional career, she worked on the business side of medicine as a medical fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other nonprofit organizations.
Eventually, the desire to help others combined with her love of herbalism and natural medicine pointed her towards a path in acupuncture and Chinese medicine within an integrative healthcare model. What she loves about this medicine is that it gives people a sense of control over their whole health. Pain and disease can often make people feel powerless. Acupuncture and herbal medicine use our own innate healing ability to overcome disease and pain.
Dr. Jess’s clinical background includes direct patient care in a variety of women’s health clinics, hospital inpatient, and Alzheimer’s care facilities. A large part of her practice is dedicated to working with HIV/AIDS, PTSD, and cancer patients.
Through continued research and education, she has developed a diverse clinical expertise in treating migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and many other debilitating chronic pain conditions. Also, of note is her success with chronic digestive issues such as Crohn’s, and endocrine disorders like Hashimoto’s and diabetes. Dr. Jess’s passion and primary specialty is reproductive medicine - working with women and men on a wide range of issues impacting reproductive health and fertility.
After graduating with her Masters of Chinese Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota, Dr. Jess continued her studies at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine where she obtained her doctorate in acupuncture and herbal medicine with a specialty in women’s health and clinical research. She has extensive training in functional medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine and is currently in a post-graduate advanced clinical herbal program. Her education also includes Thai Yoga Bodywork which is a system of acupressure and massage, along with training in Reiki and other energy medicine modalities.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Jess has a passion for nurturing and teaching which has led her to a position as the Dean of the College of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Bloomington, MN. She serves on the Board of the Minnesota Acupuncture Association and is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine and the Society of Acupuncture Research. Dr. Jess is peer-review published and is a contributing medical textbook reviewer.
She volunteers her time with various local nonprofit organizations in the Saint Paul community. Outside of her clinical practice, Dr. Jess is an avid hiker, camper, and kayaker with a passion for traveling and prefers to be in the mountains and deep woods whenever possible.
