Kyong-Mi Dillard

I am Kyong-Mi Dillard. The link at the top of this page will take you to my Massage Therapy blog.

I am an experienced Massage Therapist who has been practicing since 1998. My CAMTC# is 3199 and my NPI# is 1316701600. I practice in Long Beach, California.

My preferred modalities include Shiatsu, Acupressure, and Deep Tissue. I take an individualized approach to massage therapy and do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every session is adapted to the client's needs, whether that means addressing a particular area of discomfort, working with specific muscular or structural concerns, or simply providing an opportunity to relax. Unless conversation is necessary or the client wishes to engage, I generally allow the session to remain quiet so they can fully disconnect and enjoy a peaceful experience.

I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1, in 2026 at the age of 48. Rather than viewing autism as something that needs to be corrected, I consider it an important part of understanding how I experience and interact with the world. My way of thinking is strongly influenced by curiosity, pattern recognition, attention to detail, and a deep interest in subjects that capture my attention. These qualities have shaped many of my personal and professional interests throughout my life.

Since April 2023, I have also been caring for my mother, who has end-stage Alzheimer's disease. Caregiving has been one of the most challenging and humbling experiences of my life. In November 2023, I became her conservator, as she is no longer capable of managing any aspect of her life independently. She is entirely dependent upon others for her daily care and well-being. I am fortunate to have a loving family who helps share the responsibilities of caregiving and provides me with much-needed support.

My intellectual interests extend well beyond massage therapy. I have a particular fascination with forensics, forensic genealogy, forensic and cultural anthropology, human origins, birth and dying, ancient skeletal remains, prehistoric artifacts, archaeological cultures, and mummies. I am especially interested in what physical evidence can reveal about the lives, customs, movements, and experiences of people who lived long before us.

I am also a freelance genealogist and have constructed thousands of family trees, beginning with my own. Genealogy has given me a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of families and the unexpected ways in which our lives intersect through our ancestors. I have discovered that many of my friends are, in fact, distant relatives through my paternal grandmother! I enjoy uncovering these connections and preserving the stories of the people who came before us through my family history blog.

I have lived outside California as well, including in Hawaii and Oregon. Both states are extraordinarily beautiful and have landscapes and cultures quite distinct from California. While living there, I was fortunate to spend considerable time hiking and exploring the outdoors. Hiking remains one of my favorite ways to experience a place.

I also have a longstanding appreciation for Tiki culture and the visual history and aesthetics associated with the Hawaiian Islands and the broader Pacific. I have a small collection of Tiki mugs, and my husband and I have collected Island Heritage Christmas ornaments over the years. He is from Hawaii, and I have Indigenous ancestry from the Pacific, so we enjoy incorporating elements of Island culture and tropical aesthetics into our home. I also maintain a Christmas blog devoted to another one of my favorite interests: the holiday season.

When I am not working or caring for my mother, I am usually reading. Books have always been an important part of my life, and I am an enthusiastic reader across a variety of subjects and genres. I have participated in readathons and fundraising efforts benefiting organizations including the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer's Association.

My interests may seem varied, but they all reflect the same underlying curiosity: I enjoy learning about people, the human experience, the past, and the world around me. Whether I am studying an ancestor, examining an ancient artifact, exploring a new trail, working with a massage client, or getting lost in a book, I am happiest when I am learning something new.