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Kokoro Massage

Lindsey Frazier, BA LMT in Bellingham, WA

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Make Appt

Policies Top

Appt Confirm

Hours

Services

Parking

Arrival

Cancelling

Late

Sickness

No Show

Payment

Gratuity

Insurance

Intake

Consent

Qualifications

Minors

Sanitation

Attire

Sessions

Making an Appointment

I am available by appointment only, so please schedule online via my website www.kokoromassage.net. You may also call/text/e-mail me to schedule your treatment session. Please do not arrive at my office unexpectedly or knock on the door if it is closed. Please do not come in if the door is closed unless I’ve given the go-ahead. During business hours, I may not be immediately available to take your call, however leave a message and I will return it as soon as possible. E-mail is the fastest way to get a hold of me.

Appointment Confirmation

My intake service automatically confirms appointments 1-2 days before the day they are scheduled. To avoid the cancellation fee of $25, it is up the client to give at least 48 hours’ notice of their rescheduling or cancelling, regardless of what time I confirm the appointment.

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Hours of Operations

I am currently available by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10:30am to 5:30pm. I will be unavailable on major holidays or in the case of bad weather.

Services & Fees

I offer Bowenwork for $90/session.I offer Swedish relaxation massage for 70 minutes ($100) and 100 minutes ($130); deep tissue massage for 30 minutes ($60) and 70 minutes ($150). I also offer a 120-minute massage + Bowenwork combination session ($200), but I will always recommend doing these two modalities separately. Read about these services in detail here.

Parking & Facilities

Kokoro Massage is located in the South Bay Suites building in Fairhaven at 1140 10th Street, Suite #214 (Bellingham, WA 98225). Map and directions here. There is limited paid parking in front of the building and all throughout Fairhaven (11am-6pm | Mon-Sat | $1/hour), and all-day parking in a large gravel lot at 11th and Mill (map to gravel lot).

There is van accessible handicapped parking in front of Village Books on 11th and Mill and a handicapped spot kitty-corner from South Bay Suites. There is an elevator, seating, clean bathrooms, and the temperature-controlled treatment room has seating, a place for your personal items, and for maximum comfort: an extra-wide, heated massage table, Comfy brand sheets, and a variety of bolsters and pillows. I use hypoallergenic massage oils, lotions, and linen detergent.

Arrival

If it is your first appointment, there will be a thorough health intake process to help initially determine the best course of treatment. Most of this intake has been moved online and I will send you the forms once you have scheduled your first appointment. They take about 10-20 minutes to fill out depending on your conditions and health history.

I will also have you e-sign an informed consent wherein you agree that you are aware of the policies and procedures on this page.

Whether it is your first appointment or not, I will send you an online intake form before each session so I can best address your needs. This takes about 2-8 minutes, depending. You will also receive an oprionl follow-up form after your session if you have any additional feedback. I know it's a lot of forms, but it helps a great deal in providing you with the best care.

When you arrive, if my office door is open feel free to come on in. Otherwise please wait in the waiting area until my door has opened. Thank you for your patience.

Cancelling & Rescheduling

Client Cancellation: I understand that life and sickness happens, so if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled session. It's very difficult for me to fill appointments last-minute, so if the client does not give at least 48 hours’ notice of rescheduling/cancelling, they will be asked to pay a $25 fee. I give all clients one freebie cancellation per year. I will ask you if you want to use it or not when you contact me to reschedule. There is no fee in the case of bad weather reschedules. There is no fee if you are sick unless this policy is abused.

Practitioner Cancellation: Our time together is important and I will only cancel/ask to reschedule if I absolutely must. If I must, your rescheduled appointment will be discounted. This is not the case when I have to cancel due to bad weather, for which we will reschedule at the regular cost of services.

Late Arrival

Client Arrives Late: Because I am operating on a schedule, those who arrive late to their scheduled appointments may not receive a time extension and full payment is due at the time of service. The time remaining will be used to its best advantage.

Practitioner Arrives Late: If I am late for the appointment, the remaining time will be used as efficiently as possible and/or a new appointment will be scheduled and the client will receive a discount.

Sickness Policy & Health Conditions - IMPORTANT

Should the practitioner or client feel sick or contract a contagious disease that could spread during the massage session, we must reschedule.

If you are exhibiting the following symptoms or illnesses, we absolutely must cancel/reschedule: covid/cold/flu, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, asthma attack, acute flare-up’s, sinus infection, chicken pox, measles, mumps, meningitis, pink eye, rubella, lice, impetigo, tuberculosis, pneumonia, rabies, meningococcal disease, jaundice, polio, cardiac arrest, lymphatic cancer, hemorrhage, ringworm, scabies, thrush, whooping cough, common cold, or other possible contagious infections. If you are intoxicated, we must cancel/reschedule.

There may be local contraindications that I must avoid during massage, such as: abnormal lumps, athlete’s foot, warts, blisters, bruises, cysts, polyps, ulcers, rashes, inflamed areas, infected areas, herniated areas, open wounds, shingles, varicose veins, pacemakers, recent injuries or surgeries (may require physician’s clearance), etc.

The following are examples of conditions that absolutely require your physician’s clearance prior to treatment: acromegaly, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, burns, cancer, leukemia, cerebrovascular accident, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hemophilia, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney stones, nephrosis, polycystic kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, peritonitis, uremia, etc.

No-Show

Client No-Show: If no notice of cancellation is given and the client does not show up to their scheduled appointment, they will be asked to pay full price of the service.

Practitioner No-Show: If I misunderstand our scheduled appointment and do not show up at the time established, the appointment (whenever rescheduled) will be free.

Payment

Payment is due at the time of service (before or after the session, whichever you prefer). I accept American cash, personal checks, U.S.-issued credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover), and tap payments. I can also e-mail you an invoice to pay online. Gift certificates are available to purchase for any amount.

Gratuity

Tips are never required or expected, but accepted with great appreciation. The greatest “tip” you can give me is your referrals to friends and family, honest feedback, online reviews, and testimonials. Please consider following Kokoro Massage on Instagram, Facebook, and Wordpress; and leaving a review on Facebook and/or Google. Thank you so much for your support!

You never have to reimburse me for time over that I choose to take during a session.

Insurance Coverage

I do not accept any insurance, though sometimes insurance companies will compensate clients for my services. If you wish to be reimbursed by your insurance company, it is best to speak with them first. Depending, you may need to get a prescription for massage from your doctor. Either way, I can provide you with an invoice to submit to your insurance company, but I can’t guarantee that your sessions will be covered by them. Payment is still due when services are rendered. It is at the discretion of your insurance company whether they will reimburse you or not

Health Intake & Session Goals

At the beginning of your first session, there will be a thorough health intake process to evaluate your current health and determine your goals for bodywork. Most of this intake process will be done online but we will still chat before and after the session. Online, I’ll have you describe your health history and current health via a secure and HIPPA-compliant intake service called intakeQ. It is the responsibility of the client to communicate their preferences, expectations, and concerns for massage therapy, as well as their complete and accurate health information to ensure the safety and productivity of the sessions. You never have to be afraid to speak up about your needs, and I will also do my professional best to check in with you. Please keep me updated on your health and goals.

Informed Consent & Scope of Practice

Licensed massage therapists are trained in the safe use of manual soft tissue manipulation techniques intended to improve health and promote mind-body-spirit balance. Massage therapy is a system of bodywork that, among many other proven benefits, encourages the natural healing processes of the body and relieves muscle pain and tension

Massage therapists are health care providers, but they do not work within the parameters of licensed medical professionals and therefore DO NOT diagnose, perform skeletal adjustments, prescribe, or provide treatment for specific conditions without written permission from your doctor. The practitioner will only perform services that they are qualified to perform and only provide treatment where there is reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the client. If at any time the practitioner feels you should be evaluated by another professional, they are required to refer you to your doctor.

Qualifications

In addition to honestly representing my qualifications, I promise to consistently maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence, and strive for excellence through regular assessment of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses through continuing education training.

Lindsey Frazier, LMT has the following qualifications:

Licensed Massage Therapist (WA State, License #MA60398443)
Graduated from the Massage Practitioner Program at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington (August 2013)

Registered Bowenwork® Practitioner (2013-present)
Member of the American Massage Therapy Association
Member of the American Bowen Academy
Intraoral Certified (2019-)
Reiki Level I Certified
CPR, AED, and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross
B.A. in East Asian Studies and Japanese Language from Western Washington University (June 2011)

Minors

Massage therapy and Bowenwork® is as beneficial for young adults, children, and even infants as it is for adults. Clients under 18 years old must have their parent or guardian sign a consent to treat form prior to their first massage session. Let me know if you need this form. Know that it is always permitted and acceptable for a guardian to be present in the room while a minor is receiving treatment.

Sanitation & Hygiene

All equipment and linens that come in contact with the client are stored, sanitized, and cleaned in a healthy, professionally approved method. I come to each session clean and before and after each session, I wash my hands and arms with hot soapy water and disinfecting solution. If there are any breaks in my skin, they will be covered with protective coverings. I ask the client to also come to the session clean and inform me if there are any health concerns, breaks in the skin, areas that are contagious or that I should avoid. It's helpful to know about warts, rashes, etc.

Should the client or practitioner start to feel sick or contract a contagious disease that could spread during the massage session or to other clients such as COVID, the cold, flu, or other infection, each will inform the other so we can reschedule.

Attire, Dressing Down, and Draping

Clients may wear whatever is comfortable to their sessions, unless otherwise discussed. For example, for certain treatments I may have you bring a pair of athletic shorts and a sports bra to change into, whereas most Bowenwork® sessions can be performed fully clothed if the client wishes. When I leave the room to give you privacy to get onto the massage table and between the sheets, you may dress down to whatever your level of comfort is. It’s okay to dress down all the way and it’s okay to leave articles of clothing on. Less clothing does mean more access for the practitioner to do work, but let your comfort level be your guide. I will always use state-mandated draping that ensures the client’s safety, comfort, and privacy and only exposes the specific area being worked on. I will never massage the breast nipples or genital area and will receive permission from the client before working around these areas (for example the glutes or the adductors of the inner leg).

The Sessions

At Kokoro Massage, client health, comfort, and safety are paramount. All bodywork services are professional and sessions are conducted with the client’s greatest well-being in mind. We will communicate every step of the way to make for the most comfortable, safe, and effective therapeutic experience that is tailored to your wants and needs.

Before the first session, there will be a thorough intake process to talk about your health, define your goals for bodywork therapy, and determine the best course of treatment for you. You will receive and fill out an online health intake form, read Kokoro Massage’s policies and procedures, and sign an informed consent form. Prior to each session you will receive a questionnaire to inform about the course of treatment.

After discussing your health and health goals, there will be an opportunity to use the restroom (which you can use at any time during the session, just ask). Then I will step out of the room to wash my hands and give you time to dress down to your level of comfort and lie on the massage table between the sheets. I will knock and receive permission prior to re-entering the room after which I will begin the treatment. I believe communication is key to a successful bodywork session and will inform, check-in, and inquire when appropriate. I ask that you also communicate with me regarding your experience and how we can fine-tune it to your custom goals and needs. Every body is different, so this communication is essential to a successful treatment.

You may choose to talk or not talk during the session. Casual conversation is fine, but I will always be focused on the work and your well-being and never discuss inappropriate or private matters.

When the session is over, I will step out of the room and give you time to come back, refresh, and get dressed. I will knock prior to re-entering the room after which we will discuss the session, subsequent sessions if appropriate, and payment. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the treatment sessions. You will receive an optional follow-up form after your treatment if you have any additional feedback.

My office is a safe, judgement-free space. You never have to apologize for: sleeping, snoring, passing gas/burping, not shaving, crying, dry skin, your weight, your age, your menstrual cycle, hot flashes, needing to go to the bathroom, your injuries, your disabilities, your trauma, your sensory sensitivities, needing to re-adjust the body or move on the table; or anything else having to do with relaxing and being yourself. So long as you treat the sessions and me, the therapist, with professional respect, my treatment room is a safe place for you to be you. Please communicate with me if you have special needs. There is no judgement, only support.

Techniques Used

I am a registered Bowenwork® practitioner. Bowenwork uses very specific, light-touch fascial manipulation techniques to unravel deep-rooted pain and trauma, and create long-lasting mind-body-spirit balance.

I am trained in traditional Swedish relaxation massage which includes gentle strokes and techniques such as rocking, jostling, effleurage, petrissage, kneading, friction, tapotement, passive stretching, and hydrotherapy to help relax the body/mind and ease muscle tension.

Additionally, I am trained in treatment massage which includes basic structural integration techniques, trigger point release therapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial release techniques, and active stretching.

I am intraoral certified, meaning I can work on the muscles inside of the mouth.

I also have basic energywork experience that I incorporate into the sessions. If at any time you would like me to adjust my technique, speed, or pressure, please let me know.

I primarily use light to medium pressure. I use deep tissue techniques, but I do not use deep pressure all throughout relaxation massages. For deep tissue massages, I do use deep pressure all throughout the session, but we only work on 1-2 areas (even in the longer session). This is a personal choice to increase the longevity of my bodywork career.

Getting the Most from Your Massage

1) Before the Massage:

Right before your massage, it is best to avoid eating any large or heavy meals, sugar, caffeine, or other stimulants. 24 hours prior to your massage drink more water, eat healthy meals, and at least one hour prior have a light meal or snack. You also don’t want to come to sessions on an empty stomach as massage therapy is something like a workout, as relaxing as it is. Calories are burning and the body’s rest and digest systems are working, so you might get very hungry if you don’t have anything to eat beforehand. Lastly, good communication is very important to a successful treatment, so before each session please let me know about any health concerns, and what your needs and goals are for the massage.

2) During the Massage:

During the massage, please report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage (table, face cradle, draping, pressure, speed, techniques, etc.), how you feel on the table, or distractions related to the environment (room temperature, music, lighting, etc.). Every body is different and my goal is to customize your sessions so that we can meet your goals. Also helpful during the massage is smooth, gentle hara breathing (breathing from the belly and diaphragm instead of from the chest and neck) and relaxing your muscles, as tightening up and contracting is counterproductive to massage therapy.

3) After the Massage:

Right after the massage, if you are feeling dizzy or lightheaded, do not get off the table until this has passed. Be sure to drink plenty of water after the session to promote tissue hydration and mobility. Your body will want and need water after bodywork. If you do not drink enough water after a session, you could get headaches, regain tension in the muscles, or encounter new discomfort. Another great thing you can do for your health after a massage and between sessions is doing self-care exercises, such as relaxation techniques, gentle stretching, exercises prescribed to you, nature walks, yoga, and hydrotherapy. Self-care depends on the individual client’s health and goals, so we will discuss recommended methods after each session. Your body and your doctor have the ultimate say in your after-care practices.

Massage Therapy Frequency

Massage therapy is a pampering and effective modality of healing that benefits all the body’s systems and taps into the body’s own restorative abilities. A lot of massage therapy is relieving muscle tension, aiding in the retraining of muscles, helping to correct posture, and re-balancing areas of compensation and weakness. While relief is often felt after one session, the benefits of massage therapy are cumulative. In many cultures, massage therapy is a daily ritual that helps nurture mind-body balance, overall good health, and happy longevity.

If you are interested in daily massage, 30-minute sessions are sufficient.

A weekly 60-minute massage session reduces the physical and emotional stress that builds up in regular areas of tension daily.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, chronic stress, anger, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or other psychological/emotional conditions, it is recommended that you receive one or two 60-minute massages every week for a month or two after which at least one 60-minute monthly session is beneficial.

If you are seeking massage therapy to help overcome an injury or if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the process may take anywhere from one to six months, to even a year or more, depending on the incident and massage frequency. In this case however, massage frequency very much depends on the nature of the injury or accident, doctor and physical therapist recommendations, the client’s health, and their participation in their own recovery.

For more affordable maintenance, cumulative benefits, and for those who are dealing with stress management, one to two 60-minute sessions a month is a beneficial and luxurious treat that gives lasting results.

Bowenwork® is often recommended once a week for one month for the client to fully feel and accumulate the most benefits on the front end, but treatment may require more or fewer sessions depending on the condition. For maintenance, I recommend one to two Bowenwork sessions a month.

Respect for the Client

Clients have the right to a clean, safe, comfortable, professional massage treatment environment as well as the highest quality of care that is provided with the client’s informed and voluntary consent. Clients have a right to be treated with consideration, dignity, and respect. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you have a right to speak up and we will stop and communicate. I respect and uphold your right to refuse, modify, or terminate treatment at any time. My goal is helping you reach your goals and we work together as a team creating and adapting your treatment plan to best suit your current health and health objectives. We will always have an open channel of communication and I will be clear about what the treatment will involve and what areas I will be working on. Clients may dress down to their own level of comfort when getting on the massage table and state-mandated draping that ensures the client’s safety, comfort, and privacy and only exposes the specific area being worked on will be used in all sessions at all times. The breasts and genital area will not be massaged under any circumstances. Permission will be asked before working close to these areas, otherwise a professional distance will be maintained.

I encourage feedback regarding temperature, music, lighting, pressure, technique, etc. I want you to be comfortable and everybody is different. Please let me know what you like and dislike so we can tailor the treatments to your style. Inform me of areas you would like me to avoid and if anything makes you uncomfortable at any time, you have a right to say so. I will stop, and we will talk before proceeding. Sometimes we are not aware of what is sensitive or uncomfortable until an area is touched, so please feel free to communicate as you become aware of your needs.

As a licensed health care professional, I abide by HIPAA and swear to safeguard client confidentiality and privacy, unless disclosure is required by law or necessary for the protection of the public. Any referrals out to other health care professionals will be discussed with the client and is solely their decision.

I refuse to unjustly discriminate against anybody.

Respect for the Massage Practitioner

I am a professional dedicated to health, well-being, and a strong professional code of ethics. I do not initiate or engage in sexual activities or behaviour involving a client and such conduct represented by the client will lead to an immediate termination of the session and there will be no reschedule. I take this very seriously.

Clients are expected to arrive prepared for their session as discussed with the practitioner. Uncleanliness, obvious contagious conditions, or suspicions of alcohol or drug influence are reasons for terminating a session.

As much as you are able, please refrain from wearing perfume or scented body lotions in consideration of other clients’ sensitivities and allergies.

I reserve the right to refuse to treat any person or part of the body for just and reasonable cause.

All clients will be expected to read Kokoro Massage’s policies and procedures (this) and sign an informed consent form, stating that you have read the information listed here, understand it, and agree to comply. Clients will also fill out a health intake form with as much detail and accuracy as possible so that we can ensure the best and safest treatment possible. It is the responsibility of the client to keep me, the practitioner, informed of any changes in health, condition, medications, or treatments currently being taken and, if necessary, written permission from the physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc. that massage therapy is still appropriate.

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