BODYWORK EXPERIENCES

There are some experiences, therapies and training that I provide that just do not fit into the sometimes narrow definition of licensed therapeutic massage (either by state regulations or national association standards). Some are as simple as suggesting stretches and nutrition (as I can do under my Certified Personal Trainer credentials), giving life advice or actively working through issues that might be both physiological and cognitive (as I might be able to do with my Life Coaching credentials) or doing energy work which is not considered "massage" by the State of Washington. Others are more complicated as they may look similar to techniques that a licensed massage therapist might use like in my Primal Unwinding, Floor Based Thai-Lomi Fusion, Positive Touch Re-patterning and similar activities. 

In order to provide the most clarity around and understanding of the differences between these offerings, I have created a Non-Licensed Bodywork Category. I am including some brief descriptions below so you can get an idea of what these are. You can also click here to download a typical bodywork session intake that I use.

Please contact me personally if you have any questions or are interested in any of these experiences. 

PRIMAL UNWINDING

Primal Unwinding is a one-of-a-kind interactive form of somatic bodywork where the goal is to get in touch with and respond to the primal needs of our bodies, nervous systems, and emotional network - in other words, our primal selves. It is powerful, profound, and unlike anything that most of us have ever experienced before.

If you are a current massage client we can talk about some Primal Unwinding in your therapeutic massage session. However, I am starting to separate my Primal Unwinding Sessions from my licensed massage work with new clients so that we can be more intentional about the process and the desired outcomes. 

Two important things to keep in mind: 

1. This is primarily a sub-verbal process. So there is usually very little talking during the session, with the exception of using our words for permission, consent, and safety.
   
   
2. These sessions work best when you can come in with as few expectations as possible. You can not force a good unwinding session, you have to let it happen, or not happen.   

NURTURING TOUCH

Nurturing Touch is just what it sounds like on one level, extremely nurturing touch. When I add nurturing touch to my bodywork or massage, I start to focus on much more than muscular and neural physiology. It is a much deeper level of touch. Slower, more luxurious, and with more intentional communication that you are important, safe, and deserve to really relax. 

Nurturing Touch Bodywork is calming, slow, and very patient. The strokes are lavish and lingering. It has the intention of making the client feel as complete and safe as they can in this moment. It is non-judgmental and accepts the client as they are without needing to change them. 



You can include Nurturing Touch in your therapeutic massage session or as a completely separate bodywork experience. Nurturing Touch Bodywork sessions allow me to work deeper into your emotional, relational, and other non-physical needs than the Nurturing Touch that I incorporate into my Licensed Therapeutic Massage Sessions. 

Compassion Fatigue

& Grief Work

Over the last several years, I have been working on becoming a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional & Trauma Specialist, separate from my bodywork, but looking for a way to incorporate it into my bodywork without crossing boundaries or getting too involved in verbal/cognitive therapies. 

Compassion fatigue, as it is taught, describes the physical, emotional, and psychological impact on caregivers whose job is to help others deal with their trauma. It can have a large grief component to it. I am interested in how bodywork can be used to help people dealing with compassion fatigue, burnout, and/or the feelings of helplessness, shame, and grief that these can create.

I am hoping to be able to do much more of this work in 2023, but it is still very experimental, and I need to be very selective of the client that I choose to work with this on. If you are interested, please reach out. 

POSITIVE TOUCH REPATTERNING

So many forms of touch are distorted by traumatic events, negative experiences, and even by well-meaning caregivers that do not introduce us to touch in an intentionally affirmative way. I use Positive Touch Re-patterning to help my clients - individuals and couples - redefine their relationships with different types of touch, both as receivers and givers. It can be like learning a completely new language that helps us to process and respond to touch in a refreshingly new way. 

I am doing this work exclusively with couples at this point, or with individuals referred by specific professionals.

If you are interested in any of my Bodywork Experiences you can contact me and ask questions or talk about what you want to experience. You can also just let me know in the notes when you make your appointment or when you come in. Either way, I will make sure that I understand what you are looking for and be very clear about the type of session that you want. 

Joe Lavin, LMT, CPT, CEIM, AOBT
Certified Phenomenal Touch Practitioner®

Certified Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy Practitioner®
Cell: (206) 817-5896
Email: Joe@TouchFactorMassage.com