Laura Callahan

Licensed Massage Therapist

I’ve been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1994. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I felt called to learn bodywork as my first modality of healing.

I love working with clients on the physical plain. The mind/body connection is powerful. When we feel good in our bodies, we can’t help but feel a sense of overall wellbeing.

I’m a trauma informed therapist. We hold ‘our issues in our tissues’. You are in a safe space on my massage table.

Highest Quality Guaranteed!

I am committed to giving you the highest quality therapeutic massage based on your wants and needs.

Before I began my practice in Bellingham, WA, I lived and worked in Bermuda for many years. There, I was awarded Best Massage Therapist in the country!

If you live in or near Bellingham, I look forward to seeing you on the table!

“I found Laura through her website, taking a chance on a massage therapist I knew nothing about. After my first session, it was clear to me that Laura has ‘the magic touch’! I am very happy to have found her, and have continued to receive massages from Laura for more than two years now. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking exceptional massage work. She gives you 110%! ”

- Kathy , Senior Technical Recruiter

My Practice

In my decades of practicing massage, I have come to incorporate many different techniques into my massage sessions depending upon the wants and needs of my clients. I don't like to put myself into any specific niche or category in describing myself because I find that to be limiting. Here is a bit of information about some of the various styles of bodywork that I employ.

Below I have a more comprehensive list of the many conditions I have treated.

Deep tissue - You have probably heard this to describe massage. But what does it mean? Well, when there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, I would use direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles. This intense, sustained and slow pressure helps to achieve a deep level of muscle relaxation.

Swedish - These are the basic strokes of relaxation massage, and I use Swedish techniques primarily to warm up the muscle tissue, or when transitioning to work on another part of the body.

Neuromuscular therapy - By definition, NMT is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system.

Myofacial Release techniques - In addition to NMT, this is a type of work that focuses on restoring elasticity and blood flow to the facia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds and encases every organ, muscle, bone and nerve fiber in place. Often times, this ‘webbing’ can become stuck or adhered in ways that prevent optimal movement of the tissues.

ATMAT - I have been a Certified Arvigo® Therapist since 2010. - The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT) are founded on the ancient Mayan technique of abdominal massage, which is an external, non invasive massage using only hands to reposition the internal abdominal and pelvic organs that have shifted and as a result, restrict the flow of blood, lymph, nerve impulses and energy (qi).

The technique works by relieving congestion and blockages that improve the flow of qi and fluids of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems, thereby preventing the symptoms to progress to chronic disease. Organ function is improved by the release of physical and also emotional congestion from the abdomen. While the focus is on the abdomen, the full body is incorporated into the session.

You can read more about Arvigo Therapy here: https://www.arvigotherapy.com/

Reflexology - Viewing the feet as a mirror image of the body, reflexology is the application of pressure, stretch, and movement to the feet to effect corresponding parts of the body. It promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces pain, soothes tired feet, and encourages overall healing. It feels wonderful to have the feet worked on!!

Polarity Therapy - This is a wonderful energetic therapy that leaves you feeling deeply relaxed! In the Polarity model, health is experienced when energy flows smoothly without significant blockage or fixation. When energy is unbalanced, blocked or fixed due to stress or other factors, pain and disease arise. Polarity Therapy seeks to find the blockages and release energy to normal flow patterns.

Treatments with Laura

Therapeutic Massage - This is my signature treatment where I incorporate deep tissue, NMT, and any other modality that will most serve you. I offer this in 60 or 90 minute sessions. For a full body massage, 90 minutes is recommended, especially if you have specific areas of the body that need in depth attention.

Pregnancy Massage - I love providing massage for pregnant women, and have done so for over 25 years. The benefits of massage during pregnancy are too numerous to mention! I see women throughout all trimesters.

Sports Massage - My work with athletes has ranged from amateurs and weekend warriors to those competing on the professional and olympic level. If you need specific and detailed work on certain parts of your body, book this treatment!

Maya Abdominal Therapy - This is a specific series of treatments (minimum 3 sessions) that can be extremely beneficial for women with fertility and/or menstrual cycle issues, as well as digestive issues.

Foot Reflexology - If you LOVE having special attention given to your feet, you will love this treatment. 60 minutes includes an aromatherapy foot bath.

Conditions I have successfully treated

Over my many decades of working with clients, I have given over 15,000 massages, and treated almost every conceivable condition, injury, etc. I’ve worked with amateur and professional athletes, those recovering from car accidents and work related injuries, those with chronic conditions, immune related conditions, in addition to stress related conditions and beyond.

Here is a list to give you an idea:

  • Physical pain/injury to muscles/tendons/ligaments of the neck, back, shoulders, forearms, hands, hip, legs, ankles and feet.

  • Whiplash injuries

  • Tension headaches

  • Migraines

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Rotator cuff injuries

  • Frozen shoulder

  • Tennis elbow

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Sciatica

  • Muscle strains

  • Ligament sprains

  • Other sports injuries

  • Recovery from osteo related surgeries

  • Fibromyalgia related issues

  • Chronic fatigue related issues

  • Arthritis related pain

  • Rheumatoid arthritis related issues

  • Fertility related issues

  • Digestive related issues

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Insomnia

    How can I assist you?

“I highly recommend Laura for massage therapy. I have been seeing Laura for shoulder issues that I have been dealing with for over two years. I had been to PT and was doing the exercises given to me but they just were not addressing the pain. After my first treatment with Laura, I could feel a difference and slept that night for the first time in over a year without pain in my shoulders. I have continued to work with Laura who has not only helped with my shoulder issues but with my ribs that would dislocate during certain movements in yoga and every day life. Laura is so knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. I will continue to work with Laura and this aging body of mine.”

- Candice, Bellingham, WA