For generations, Xavier University of Louisiana has been committed to improving health outcomes locally and nationally for those from underrepresented populations. Its alumni network, some 20,000 strong, boasts many professionals in the health and wellness fields who aim to serve their communities.  One such alum, Dr. Miguel Lewis, is the owner of the Massage Addict and is dedicated to the pursuit of improving patients’ lives through the provision of education, alternative healthcare choices, and effective pain management and relief through her local medical massage practice.

Since the pandemic, chiropractors have seen a surge in clients because of  ongoing trends and exposure within social media. Over time, people have become more aware of the benefits of participating in holistic care, which can involve massage therapy, essential oils, herbal supplements, and other homeopathic treatments to supplement medical care .

“When I first started 20 years ago, you didn’t hear [about] people coming in and getting adjustments. It was a tiny population, and most of the chiropractic care was associated with auto injuries, but now it's time to change.”

 Lewis graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2000 with a degree in biology pre-med, instilled like all of the university’s graduates with Xavier’s mission to promote a more just and humane society. She was accepted into and planned to attend dental school, but then her life took an unexpectedly difficult turn; her mother was in a bad car accident and was temporarily left unable to walk. 

“My boyfriend at the time had to carry her to her chiropractic appointments, and one day, she came out of her appointment walking,” said Lewis. “ She told me that I needed to look into this, and I fell in love with it.

In light of these circumstances, Lewis began to explore other avenues in the medical field and found that there   medical massage practices in New Orleans were scarce. Through promoting holistic care and a commitment to solo medical practices, Lewis can serve her community in a different way than she had initially planned.  

“We get a lot of different people here at my solo practice because our market base is so diverse, and I have even had a client come from Alabama! In the next five to ten years I would really like for our massage and pain products to be available all over, and I would like to expand the number of massage therapists that I work with,’ Lewis said.

 New Orleans area and non-local visitors are welcome at Massage Addict, located at 3700 Lapalco Blvd Ste. A Harvey, LA 70058.

By student contributor Tyana Jackson