Today we’d like to introduce you to Aprill Wilkinson.
Hi Aprill, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Before becoming a licensed massage therapist, I spent seven years working in the insurance industry. Like many people, I found myself sitting behind a desk all day, staring at a computer screen and feeling increasingly disconnected from the work I was doing. While I was grateful for the experience and skills I developed, I felt unfulfilled and uninspired. Depression was hitting hard, and I found myself questioning where I wanted to be in the next five years. The answer was clear: it wasn’t behind a desk, clicking a keyboard.
I knew something needed to change. I wanted a career where the work I did felt meaningful and where I could make a genuine difference in people’s lives. That’s when I began researching massage therapy and bodywork. The more I learned, the more I felt drawn to the profession. The core values of helping others, encouraging connection between mind and body, and supporting people through therapeutic bodywork deeply resonated with me. It felt aligned with who I was at my core and the kind of impact I wanted to have in the world.
That was it! I took the leap, left my secure career in insurance, and became a full-time college student.
The journey was anything but easy. I commuted from McMinnville to Portland multiple times each week while balancing family life, studying late into the night, practicing new techniques on friends and family, and working weekends to help make ends meet. At home, I was raising my two boys and sharing life with my incredibly supportive husband, who encouraged me every step of the way.
During this time, my grandfather became seriously ill. After long days of classes, I spent many evenings at his bedside. He was a constant source of love, wisdom, and support throughout my childhood and into adulthood, and I am deeply grateful for the time we shared during his final months. Losing him was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. He passed away before my final term of school and never had the opportunity to see me graduate, but his strength, resilience, and encouragement carried me through the remainder of my journey and continues to guide me today.
These experiences challenged me in ways I never expected, but they also strengthened my commitment to this path. They taught me the importance of compassion, presence, and showing up for people during life’s most difficult seasons. Lessons that have become the foundation of the work I do today.
After becoming licensed, I had the privilege of working alongside two chiropractic doctors, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and deepening my understanding of the body. From the beginning, my goal was to open my own private practice, and in April 2025, that vision became a reality.
I opened Rooted Rituals Massage & Bodywork in McMinnville, Oregon. A practice built on the belief that the body responds best when it is supported rather than forced. My work blends therapeutic and nervous system focused techniques, creating a space where clients can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and receive care that honors their individual needs.
I recently celebrated one year in business, and I couldn’t be more grateful for where this journey has led me. What started as a dream has grown into a thriving practice built on trust, connection, and word of mouth referrals. One of the most rewarding parts of this work has been seeing clients return regularly and witnessing the positive impact that consistent care can have on their lives.
Looking back, every challenge along the way helped shape the therapist and business owner I am today. What began as a search for a more meaningful career became something much bigger: an opportunity to create a space where people feel seen, supported, and cared for. Helping clients find relief from pain, reconnect with their bodies, and experience moments of peace amidst life’s demands is both an honor and a reminder of why I took that leap in the first place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rooted Rituals Massage & Bodywork LLC?
Rooted Rituals Massage & Bodywork was created with the intention of offering more than just a massage. My goal is to provide a space where people can step away from the demands of everyday life, slow down, reconnect with themselves, and feel genuinely cared for.
I specialize in blending therapeutic and nervous system focused bodywork, tailoring each session to the individual rather than following a “one size fits all” approach. Whether a client is seeking relief from chronic pain, recovering from physical strain, managing stress, or simply needing a moment to rest, every session is customized to meet them where they are that day. My work may incorporate techniques such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, cupping, and relaxation massage, but the focus is always on listening to the body and responding to its needs.
What sets Rooted Rituals apart is my belief that healing and recovery do not have to come from force. In an industry where deeper pressure is often associated with better results, I take a different approach. I work with the body rather than against it, combining clinical knowledge with intuition and compassionate care. I believe lasting results come from creating an environment where the nervous system can relax, the body can respond naturally, and clients feel safe, supported, and heard.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the atmosphere and reputation I have built in a relatively short amount of time. Rooted Rituals has grown primarily through trust, relationships, and kind referrals, which is something I never take for granted. Every detail from the name, my communication with clients, to the treatment room itself was intentionally created to reflect my values of connection, presence, grounding, and care.
What I want readers to know is that massage therapy is not simply a luxury. It can be a valuable tool for supporting both physical and mental well being. At Rooted Rituals, I strive to create an experience that allows people to feel more connected to their bodies, find relief from pain and stress, and leave feeling better than when they arrived. It is an honor to be trusted with that role in someone’s life, and it is a responsibility I take seriously every day.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe the massage therapy and bodywork industry will continue to shift toward more individualized, client centered care, with a stronger emphasis on the nervous system and the role it plays in overall health.
There is already a growing awareness that massage is not just about working muscles or addressing isolated areas of pain, but about how the entire body responds to stress, trauma, and daily life. I see that understanding continuing to deepen, with more practitioners integrating both clinical knowledge and a more holistic awareness of how the body holds tension and experiences relief.
I also think we will see continued movement away from the idea that “more pressure equals better results.” Clients are becoming more informed and more in tune with their own bodies, and there is a greater appreciation for work that is responsive rather than forceful. This aligns with a broader shift toward sustainability in care. Treatments that support the body over time, rather than trying to “fix” something in a single session.
Technology and self-care tools will likely continue to expand outside of the treatment room, but I believe that will only increase the value of skilled, hands on work. Human touch, presence, and the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and client are things that cannot be replaced, and I think people are becoming more aware of that.
For my own practice, I see these shifts reinforcing what I already value: slowing down, listening to the body, and creating space where clients feel safe and supported. As the industry evolves, I believe the most meaningful work will continue to center on connection, trust, and truly individualized care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootedritualsmassagemac.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcminnville_lmt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rooted-Rituals-Massage-Bodywork-LLC/61574482424641/
- Other: https://share.google/5Gg3kGiT3jV6dWiZ4
