Ben Smith, LMT

Nate Jacob, Massage Apprentice
          Nate Jacob is a massage therapist in training and passionate enthusiast of the healing arts. With over 800 hours of hands-on training, Nate brings a deep knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the practice of bodywork. He specializes in Swedish massage, reflexology, osteopathic manual therapy, and orthopedic massage, among other approaches, helping people achieve their health and wellness goals with skill and compassion. His goal is to use what he has learned so far to provide an individualized approach to care that both honors the client’s physical and emotional well-being. Nate puts client-centered care first, creating an individualized environment that respects each person’s physical and emotional needs. Though the apprenticeship focuses on massage, he envisions weaving his talents for music and dance into his pursuit of the healing arts.
            Together, we specialize in integrative, clinical, rehabilitative, and orthopedic bodywork. Leveraging our clinical experience in both community and outpatient  healthcare settings, we have extensive experience working with the following conditions:
  • Orthopedic pain
  • Post-surgical pain and restriction
  • Headaches and Migraines
  • Chronic pain
  • Athletic injuries and recovery
  • People living with cancer
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Nervous system disorders
  • Dysautonomia/POTS
  • Fibromyalgia and CFS
  • Traumatic injuries
We enjoy working with people with specific complaints and are always excited to help an individual find improved connection, function, and health. 
Integrative Bodywork is an approach to bodywork that combines tissue based manual therapy approaches with complementary and alternative approaches such as meditation, mindfulness, and somatic approaches to promote health and wellbeing. The key principles of integrative healthcare, which inform integrative bodywork, include:
  1. Focusing on the whole person: Integrative healthcare takes into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individual, recognizing that all of these aspects are interconnected.
  2. Incorporating a range of therapies: Integrative healthcare uses a variety of conventional and complementary therapies, including massage therapy, mind-body practices, and lifestyle changes to promote health and healing.
  3. Emphasizing the importance of prevention: Integrative healthcare places a strong emphasis on managing illness and injury through healthy lifestyle choices, such as good nutrition, regular exercise, and stress reduction techniques.
  4. Recognizing the healing power of the therapeutic relationship: Integrative healthcare recognizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship between healthcare providers and clients, and strives to create a supportive and nurturing environment for healing to occur.

             An integrative approach to massage therapy and bodywork involves combining the benefits of multiple modalities to create a more effective and holistic treatment plan for the client. This approach centers the client's unique needs, goals, and experiences as well as any underlying medical conditions or injuries.

          Client-centered care and shared decision making are important aspects of integrative healthcare. These principles place the client at the center of the healthcare experience, and tailor treatments to meet their individual needs and preferences. This approach recognizes that the client is an expert in their own experience, and that their input is essential to making informed decisions about their health. 

          Both client-centered care and shared decision making are essential components of integrative healthcare, as they help to ensure that the client's needs and preferences are respected, and that treatments are tailored to their individual circumstances. By empowering clients to take an active role in their healthcare, integrative healthcare can help to promote healing, prevent disease, and improve many aspects of health and well-being.

          The beginning of any integrative approach is to conduct a thorough assessment of the client's physical condition and medical history. This may involve evaluating range of motion, strength, flexibility, and any areas of pain or discomfort. The massage therapist may also consult with the client's physician or other healthcare providers to ensure that the treatment plan is safe and appropriate.

          Once the assessment is complete, the massage therapist can develop a customized treatment plan that combines massage therapy and other bodywork techniques, such as stretching, movement, breathwork, guided imagery, and meditation. This may involve incorporating techniques such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and muscle energy techniques to help release tension and promote healing.

​          Throughout the treatment process, the massage therapist will work closely with the client to monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. This may involve modifying the intensity or frequency of massage therapy sessions, or incorporating additional rehabilitation techniques as the client's condition improves.

     An integrative approach to massage therapy can be an effective way to promote healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and support overall health and well-being. By combining the benefits of different modalities, this approach can help clients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.




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