Welcome

Lagom Bodywork & Inner Wellness, LLC.

Massage Therapy: Essential Self-Care for your Healthcare

Thank you for your visit to Lagom Bodywork & Inner Wellness, LLC. Lagom is a Swedish term that is difficult to translate into English. Comparatively it means Just right for you. The idea of contentment ~ not too much and not too little. This can vary from day to day. What this means at Lagom Bodywork & Inner Wellness, LLC.? - We strive to make you feel good every day. We work alongside you to heal through restorative touch. Your massage is a blend of integrated techniques designed for your specific self-care. Your session will start with review of your client intake form and a brief thorough conversation about your health and session goals. This will enable me to give you the therapy best suited for your needs.

I sincerely hope based upon my experience and training that the massage you receive will help you on your way to a more relaxed, healthy and sound way of living. At Lagom Bodywork & Inner Wellness,LLC., we believe in the self-healing power of the body but recognize that sometimes it just needs a little help. Massage therapy facilitates alignment of the physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual bodies for an overall sense of well-being. It can help to keep you comfortable doing the things you want and need to do, or it can help to take the pain or ailment away. Let yourself experience the possibilities massage has to offer. The therapeutic action of massage therapy provides many benefits regarding:

               ~ Pain Management                      ~ Increase blood and lymph circulation   ~ Regulate the nervous system

               ~ Injury recovery                            ~ Improve sleep                                           ~ Comfort touch

               ~ Improve ROM                              ~ Improve immune function                      ~ Safe touch                                                             

                ~ Sport event recovery                 ~ Improve digestion                                    ~ Stimulate sensory awareness

                ~ Muscular ache/pain relief        ~ Release muscular and mental tension ~ Reduce stress and anxiety

                ~ Surgical recovery                       ~ Promote emotional wellness                  ~ Alleviate depression symptoms

                 ~ Manage and reduce                 ~ Encourage personal awareness             ~ Facilitate release of mind/body

                    scar tissue and adhesions          of his/her body                                             emotional patterns 

"It's not about breathing right. It's about breathing easier."

Emotional Wellness

Trauma

• With an increased awareness to traumatic events and the chronic and acute effects on the body and mind, self-care is more important than ever. This does not mean you are expected to heal alone. There are forms of therapy effective with helping an individual to heal, even from the complicated layers of a traumatic experience. Massage therapy is an effective way to facilitate this healing. It can provide the techniques, care and support for trauma healing to occur. Massage therapy is a passive/active or passive body centered treatment. This means the client is not expected to go into or relive and retell the traumatic experience. But know that trauma memory may come up with the release of the musculature. This is referred to as somatic, memories stored in the body as well as the mind. Even though massage therapy is a body-centered therapy, we also know it to treat the whole being including mental, emotional and spiritual health, all of which are interconnected and essential for complete health. This is not, however, a replacement for "talk Therapy". If you feel you need conventional therapy, I would be happy to refer to my compassionate, trusted colleagues specializing in trauma and abuse. Often massage therapy and counseling complement each other well. However, there is no one answer. Each individual needs to discover what method is right for them.

PTSD

• PTSD is an effect of trauma. Whether the trauma is a 30 second storm, 15 minutes of combat or 10 years of dv, each system of the body perceives and reacts individually to the traumatic event. This causes some of the body systems to become disjointed with each other, body chemicals to become imbalanced and further causing an array of associated symptoms. Massage can affectively help to re-regulate the body systems and hormones and improve or reduce associated symptoms some of which include: chronic pain, anxiety, startle response, insomnia, stress, blood pressure, breathing, dissociation and emotional regulation. Other benefits that massage may provide for PTSD clients is a sense of comfort, safety and control that they may not feel otherwise.

Depression

• Depression affects millions of people and is disruptive to daily life. Bodywork works on a cellular level to release    endorphins minimizing or improving symptoms of depression.

Anxiety

• Anxiety, panic attacks and the fear of panic attacks can be debilitating. Research shows bodywork reduces stress and muscular tension which can alleviate or minimize anxiety and panic attacks. 

"Relaxation massage is not pampering. It is therapeutic. Stress is linked to every major illness."

Physical Wellness

Pain Management

• Chronic Pain affects the quality of daily life. Massage can help manage the pain to keep you comfortable and reduce or eliminate medication.
• Acute Pain - Slept wrong or moved wrong? Massage can help get you back to normal quicker.

Injury Recovery

• Surgery - Massage therapy and bodywork can help to manage mental stress before surgery, ease post surgical pain and aid in recovery by reducing scar tissue and improving rom. 
• Activity Mishap - Accidents happen. Injuries appear. From muscle strain to frozen shoulder or plantar fasciitis to carpal tunnel, decrease muscle soreness, increase healing recovery time, maintain flexibility and rom with help from massage therapy and bodywork.   
• Overuse - Sometimes we accidentally over do it or work doesn't always allow us to stop when our bodies and minds need to. Bodywork can help minimize he effects of or alleviate discomfort from repetitive use.

Mental Wellness

Tension

• We hold mental tension in our physical bodies due to daily life, daily stressors, chronic pain, injury, surgery and trauma. Relaxing mentally can help to alleviate that tension physically.

Maintenance

Whether there is an on going issue or you already feel good, touch is nurturing. Including massage therapy and bodywork regularly as self-care in your health care plan could mean less time missed from work, athletic activities or doing the things that bring you joy by:

• Preventing future injuries
• Keeping you functioning comfortably
• Supporting a healthy life style

QUESTIONS

Questions I get repeatedly are:

When should I get a massage? 

• When you want to improve your health or way of living OR when nothing else has worked. Yep, I hear that a lot. "You are my last resort." "I wouldn't be here if I weren't desperate." I am not proud. Come on In. The goal is to try to get you back to a level of function you are comfortable with.

How often should I get a massage?

• You will need to gage this. You know your body best. But here are some guidelines to think about. Muscles have memory. This means your muscles will hold the positive work that's been done with bodywork for a while, but like all memory, it can fade. Waiting too long in between each session can result in your body going back to the same condition it was in before your massage. You do not want to wait to come back in until your body hurts again. Then we will essentially be constantly starting over. What you want to look for - See how you feel after your bodywork session. Gage how long the effects last. Come back in before you start to hurt again or before the pain starts to increase again. That's really key. The effects of your bodywork will last longest this way, with the goal ultimately to reduce session frequency. Resulting in longer time in between each visit until you either don't need to come in anymore or we get you on a maintenance schedule just right for you, depending on your goals.
• Finances are also a consideration for scheduling frequency. Please refer to the "Discount and Promotion" for options that may help.

But I stretch. Why do I still hurt? 

Stretching is good - usually. There are a few reasons why it may not be effective on your own. 

• Active stretching can be counterproductive. It may engage muscles other than the hurt muscle or may over engage the hurt muscle causing more stress, irritation, exhaustion and resistance. A professional has the ability to isolate and stretch muscles passively or active\passively. This means without any help form you, or with minimal help from you to be most effective for your muscle health.
• Sometimes a muscle hurts because it's already over stretched, or hyper-extended, and the muscles around it are contracted. It may be a matter of working the surrounding muscles to relax them, so they stop pulling, or stretching, the muscle in question.
• Think of a muscle like a piece of tape that is stuck to itself. If you pull on each end it doesn't budge. But if you work where it's adhered, it is more likely to release. Muscles are the same. Sometimes you have to free where the muscle is stuck, so you can stretch it fully.

Please call with questions you may have, and especially when you are ready to schedule.

APPRECIATION AND INCENTIVE 

Referral Rewards

When current clients refer a new client, you'll receive $10 off your next massage, and they'll receive $10 off their first massage.

Save and Support

You are helping to support our homeless veterans. A portion of your massage will be donated to a military veterans homeless shelter.

Military Personnel and Veterans

Please accept $10 discount per massage.

Sponsorship

You may choose and purchase a service to be donated to and received by a service member or military veteran. I will send you notification when service is redeemed. (Offer available soon)

Discounts and Promotions are subject to change and invalid in combination with any other offer.

POLICIES AND TERMS

Payment

• Payment is due at the time of service. 
• I accept cash and check with show of driver's license
• I do not accept insurance at this time
• I do not accept credit cards at this time. 

Documents

• You are required to read, initial where indicated, sign and date all documents provided to you before the start of your session. This includes but is not limited to policies and terms, client intake and consent to work form. Some of these documents are required by law and some help me to give you the best massage for your safety and wellness.
• This information is confidential. You are protected under HIPPA laws. This means none of your information can be shared, written or verbal, without your signed, written consent of release of information form, unless you: threaten to harm or have harmed yourself, others or your therapist, or are subpoenaed by law.

Under 18 years old

• If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must accompany you and sign the consent form. They must stay present on the property for the duration of the session.

Inappropriate behavior

• Any inappropriate behavior at any time before, during or after your session, including but not limited to behavior that is sexual will NOT be tolerated.
• Your session will be terminated immediately.
• You will be responsible for the full payment of your session.
• You will not be allowed to reschedule further appointments.
• You will be barred from the property.
• Police may be called.

Cancellation and reschedule

• If you are more than 10 minutes late to your appointment it may result in cancellation and you will be responsible for payment of full scheduled session.
• If you are late to your appointment, you may receive the remainder of the session time and will be responsible for the full scheduled appointment time. Please call if you think you may be late.
• If you no show, you will be responsible for the full scheduled appointment fee and may not be rescheduled.
• Please reschedule with a minimum 24-hour notice. If you do not and that time slot does not fill in, you will be responsible for payment of your scheduled appointment time, except, in the therapist discretion, in cases of emergencies and illness.
• Consuming alcohol and drugs prior to your appointment is not safe and will result in cancellation of your appointment, with full payment required.

Cold, Flu and Covid

• Cold Flu and Covid are contraindicated for massage therapy and bodywork. 
• This is not new.
• When there is an active infection in the body, viral or bacterial, massage is dangerous, and it is contraindicated (not allowed).
• My highest concern is your safety and wellbeing.
• I also work with a vulnerable population.
• It is my responsibility as a professional to mitigate the risk of spreading infection to others.
• I am diligent with universal standard precaution of sanitizing. After each session: All linens are washed and sanitized, the room and table are sanitized, my apron changed, hands are washed thoroughly before and after each session and the air purifier is running.
• Because of the proximity of the work, masks are to be worn by the practitioner and the client.
• If you actively have a cold, flu or covid, or any symptoms, or you think you may be coming down with something, please cancel your appointment, without judgement or penalty of fee.
• We can reschedule you for a time when you are infection free, symptom free, and feeling healthy and well.
• Lagom Bodywork & Inner Wellness, LLC. reserves the right to turn you away at the time of your appointment if we recognize you are sick, and you will still be held liable for payment of your scheduled appointment.
• Thank you for your patience and respectful consideration of this policy.

Disclosure

• I will inform my therapist of all my health information to the best of my knowledge.
• I will inform my therapist of any known allergies to products used in my session.
• I will cancel and reschedule appointments upon sickness.
• I have read, understand and agree to follow all the policies and terms at Lagom Massage Therapy and Inner Wellness, initialed, signed and dated where indicated.

" Massage is not 'No pain, No gain'. When you press on a muscle, it's automatic reaction is to want to relax. If you press too hard, it's automatic reaction is to contract."

Client Bill of Rights

Each client has the right to expect:

• to be protected with confidentiality of identity, medical information, massage treatment and conversations unless disclosure of information is requested by the client in writing, medically necessary or is required by law.
• the practitioner applies their knowledge to provide a safe session with the information provided to them by the client.
• to be treated with professional integrity and courtesy at all times.
• to be treated in a safe, comfortable clean place of business.
• to find the practitioner sober and drug free.
• to receive an overview of the session in which the client is informed of the facilitated procedures.
• quiet during the entire session unless the client chooses to talk.
• to request an adjustment in pressure, music, temperature or technique if desired.

"Listen to the body. Massage the mind."

Practitioner Bill of Rights

Each practitioner has the right to expect:

• to be treated with courtesy at all times.
• to be paid in full at the end of each session unless special arrangements were made before the session.
• the client will arrive on time for all sessions.
• the client will arrive clean, drug free and sober or to terminate the session with full payment rendered.
• the client will respect the practitioners schedule demands and not delay the session once arrived.
• the client will inform the practitioner of any health or emotional concerns.
• the client will ask for comfort adjustments instead of assuming the practitioner will know each specific need of the client.
• the client, with less than 24-hour notice of cancellation will be financially responsible for the missed appointment. Illness and emergencies are exceptions.

"Muscles should feel like beef tenderloin. Sometimes they feel like beef jerky."

Recovery Bill of Rights for Trauma Survivors

Each trauma survivor, in addition to the above, has the right to expect:

• autonomy - freedom to trust and make your own healthcare decisions
• your questions are answered so you can make intelligent decisions about your recovery.
• that "stop" is a complete sentence - no need to explain. You may end a session or technique at any time.
• to be touched only with and within the limits of your consent. Your therapist will not work past your level of comfort.
• to be secure of any disclosure by your therapist with your consent only.
• to be treated with respect and free from judgement.
• to speak or remain silent about any topic at any time.
• your therapist will not give solutions or responses that are non-body focused.
• clear communication from your therapist.
• your decision to choose as many therapists as you would like in your recovery.

"Muscles are like people - if you ask (if you work slowly and kindly) they are more agreeable - less resistant. If you demand (force) they will be stagnant - unyielding."