Integrated Myoskeletal Therapy

Sean M. Sparks, LMT has been a Fitness Professional since 1999 and a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005. He started out as a Personal Trainer in Lewisville, TX after earning certifications from The National Strength Association (NSCA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Over seven years, Sean had the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients with a variety of goals. He earned several more certifications through NASM, eventually leading him to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. He learned of the Gray Institute and Erik Dalton’s Freedom From Pain Institute while obtaining continuing education credits. 

Sean moved on to manage a local fitness studio in Denton and Argyle for a few years while trying to begin his massage therapy practice. Sean continued to explore various training methods and learned about CrossFit from a friend. He decided to get certified and open his own gym. 

In 2008, Sean started CrossFit NTX in Denton, TX in a 600 sq. ft. office building. After six months, the membership had outgrown the space and it was time to expand. CrossFit NTX moved into a much larger 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility. Sean owned and operated the gym for five years at this new location. He also went to dentist offices, as well as, schools to offer chair massage to the staff and teachers during their break. Sean continued to expand his education with CrossFit’s Gymnastics, Running, and Olympic Weightlifting certifications . Sean’s massage practice had also shifted from relaxation massage to more of a deep tissue and orthopedic massage style thanks to Erik Dalton and James Waslaski. 

And then, one day changed it all…. Sean’s dad had an unexpected fall from a condition called orthostatic hypotension that caused a head injury and resulted in a cascade of events over several years ending him up in the hospital ICU over and over again. The head injury led to a stroke, pneumonia, and intubation during the first hospital visit. After going through several months of rehabilitation he returned home. Sean’s mom was still working and trying to be his dad’s caretaker at the same time. 

Sean was fortunate enough to have a job that allowed him the flexibility to spend time with his family during those years. As you can imagine, the sleepless nights, constant stress, not to mention the endless doctor and hospital visits eventually took their toll. It was around this time that Sean had his first float, something he had heard about in massage school several years earlier, and he immediately knew that he had to find a way to transition into the Flotation Therapy industry. One hour float felt like an entire night of sleep and a meditative experience that melted the stress away. Sean learned that Flotataion Therapy has several benefits and he knew this would be something that could help so many people.       

In 2015, Sean decided that it was time to sell the gym. He continued practicing massage and did some personal training during the construction phase of the new business, as well. Sean also spent the downtime to continue his education. He had already done enough coursework with the Freedom from Pain Institute that he decided to complete the Master Myoskeletal Therapist course. A year and a half later Float Away Spa opened in Highland Village, TX.

Unfortunately, Sean’s dad developed neuropathy and continued to fall. The day of the Grand Opening, the ambulance was called, and Sean’s dad went through a quadruple bypass surgery. He spent several weeks in ICU again. By this time, Sean’s mom was experiencing her own health issues. Sean’s dad returned home after several months of assisted living and rehabilitation just to have another fall. This time, he broke his fibula, the wound wouldn’t heal, he developed sepsis, and ended back in the ICU. It seemed like a constant hospital rotation. Over the next several months, Sean’s dad became weaker and was beginning to experience multiple organ failure from the surgeries, medications, and complications. In 2017, he passed at home surrounded by family while in hospice.

After Sean’s dad passed, his mom’s health deteriorated quickly. She succumbed to multiple organ failure a year and a half later. Sean was with her at the hospital when she passed.

The business had not grown enough to pay the bills, and signing another five year lease felt like too big of a risk. In 2019, Sean closed Float Away Spa. The grief of losing both parents had become overwhelming and taking care of their Estate became priority. Flotation had become a therapy for Sean and had no doubt served it’s purpose. 

While sifting through his parent’s belongings, Sean found a renewed sense of meaning after finding his dad’s Nikonos V regular film, underwater camera. Sean and his dad became certified divers when Sean was twelve. His mom always joined on the dive trips but several ear surgeries in her youth made it impossible for her to dive. Finding this camera brought back many memories and inspired Sean to reactivate his scuba certification. Soon after, he took the camera with him on a dive trip to Cozumel but the lens flooded. He has since upgraded to a digital camera and discovered his love for underwater photography. Sean took courses in Nitrox, Reef Renewal, Solo Diver, and Rescue. He is currently finishing his Divemaster Certification. 

Wouldn’t you know, one thing led to another. While scuba diving, Sean began dreaming of one day living aboard a sailboat to follow his passion for underwater photography. He began taking sailing classes through the American Sail Association and is currently part of a sailing team as a foredeck man during races at Lake Grapevine. He is also involved in the Sailaway progam.   

Sean has been keeping up with continuing education and has continued to expand his training completing John Gibbon’s Bodymaster Method Practicioner, multiple courses offered by the Gray Institute, a 270 hour Integral Anatomy course by Gil Hedley, and Scolosis Correction Protocol by Ed Paget.  

With a renewed sense of passion and meaning for life, Sean has formed Integrated Myoskeletal Therapy, combining massage with functional movement in order to address pain and restore mobility and balance.