Chelsea Blackford, LMT, CESMT, CERT
Hello there, I’m Chelsea. Through Integrative Massage Therapy, I hold safe and Therapeutic space for my clients. As a Trauma Informed Therapist, I holistically consider the affects that emotions, mental health, and spiritual connection have on the body.
Important things to know before booking:
The massage room is located on the second floor within a historic home and salon. Stairs are required to reach the second level of the home. Children are not allowed…read more
Children are not allowed in the massage room while the Parent is receiving bodywork. Children are not allowed to be unattended in the Salon as per the Establishment owner. If you are a parent who has a child, who is a minor, please plan accordingly.
For Parents who are booking a session for their Child who is a minor, Parents are required to be in the massage room during the session of their child. Written consent will need to be signed prior to the session.
Should a client feel more comfortable with a significant other or adult family member in the room with them, I will consider on a case by case basis. It is the right of the client to have confidentiality and a safe space during treatment.
Session Timing: Please arrive at the time you scheduled! This ensures that we are able to complete a required intake, table time and closing notes at the end of your session. Late arrivals will forfeit table time and session times cannot be altered.
As a licensed health care practitioner, Chelsea Blackford, LMT has a “duty to warn” under the following circumstances: If Chelsea believes I am a danger to myself or others, if Chelsea believes or knows that I am abusing a minor, a senior, or a disabled or otherwise impaired person, or, if she becomes aware of past abuse of a child that has not been previously reported to the authorities.
Confidentiality
Sessions are strictly confidential. Read more…
In compliance with Federal and State laws, I will only share your confidential information if I have your signature on a qualifying document or by court order. I may seek consultation and share details of your case with other professionals in order to provide you with the most effective and ethical service. By signing a form, you can give me permission to speak about the details of your case to any other current members of your helping professionals team. Your personal identity will be kept confidential in any professional consultation unless I am speaking directly to a member of your professional team that you have named and signed, or on another qualifying document.
Cancellation Policy & Late Arrivals:
I understand that unanticipated events happen occasionally in everyone’s life. In my desire to be effective and fair to all my clients, the following policies are honored…read more
At least 12 hour advance notice is required when canceling an appointment. Appointments canceled within 12 hours of appointment time will be charged 50% of the service fee.
No-shows: Anyone who either forgets or consciously chooses to forgo their appointment for whatever reason will be considered a “no-show.” Full session fee will be charged to the card on file.
Late Arrivals: Sessions started late because of client tardiness will end on time. Out of respect and consideration to your therapist and other customers, plan accordingly and be on time for your appointment. Sessions started late for any other reason will receive the full session or other arrangements will be made.
In the state of Tennessee, Licensed Massage Therapists are Licensed Healthcare Professionals. Tips are not expected or required, which makes your payment process a seamless and stress free experience.
Integrative Therapy
My Integrative Massage Therapy Sessions are customized for what my clients need in that moment, that day. Every ‘body’ is different in what it needs on a day to day basis. I integrate multiple therapies into this type of session, each explained in more detail below. Integrative sessions can be clothed or unclothed. Typically, they are unclothed in order to allow for maximum work of all these therapies and for some of the lubricated Swedish techniques. All clients have the right to undress to their level of comfort and the right to be draped at all times except for the area being worked on. I will read you your client rights at the beginning of your first session. My Integrative Massage Sessions consist mainly of Myofascial, Acupressure, CranioSacral, Stretching, Range of Motion with some Swedish techniques.
Craniosacral Therapy
CranioSacral can be an effective therapy for those struggling with migraines, headaches, cluster headaches, TMJ issues, jaw pain, ear pain, anxiety, depression, brain fog, ear ringing/tinnitus, sinus pressure or fluid, sleep disturbances, balance issues, back pain, brain tumors, neck pain, physical trauma (ex. Whiplash), emotional trauma and more.
Comfortable clothing, such as sweatpants and a t-shirt, is worn by the client for this session. Clothing allows for freedom of movement, stretching and release of the body as it needs or wants to during this time. No lotions, creams or oils are used in this session.
Breathing is a more obvious rhythm of the body, but there is another not so noticeable rhythm happening in the body. You may have felt it as you sat cross legged on the floor, leaned over and reading a book. The gentle sway of your back and head as it moves, try as you might to keep still….is the movement of spinal fluid in the body.
This movement is called the Cranial Wave, Cranial Rhythm or Pulse. New spinal fluid is regenerated by the body every six hours. The spinal fluid in the spinal cord is continually moving back and forth along the spine from the cranium at the head, to the sacrum at the hips.
A CranioSacral Therapy session consists of a series of gentle holds and light touch from the sacrum (pelvis) to the cranium (head). These holds, while light, may feel deep at times to the person receiving.
The goal of CranioSacral Therapy is to regain balance of the cerebral spinal fluid and release of the fascia surrounding the muscles and tissues along the spine. This therapy allows the body to release tension in the form of physical, emotional and psychological stress. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, this therapy helps to bring the body to a state of peace.
CranioSacral can be an effective therapy for those struggling with migraines, headaches, cluster headaches, TMJ issues, jaw pain, ear pain, anxiety, depression, brain fog, ear ringing/tinnitus, sinus pressure or fluid, sleep disturbances, balance issues, back pain, brain tumors, neck pain, physical trauma (ex. Whiplash), emotional trauma and more.
I work on children ages 9+ for CranioSacral. For babies and children 8 and under, I recommend reaching out to a qualified practitioner at Tennessee Alternative Medicine in Franklin.
Acupressure Therapy
Benefits of acupressure include but are not limited to relief of sinus pressure, headaches and migraines, motion sickness, muscle pain, TMJ related issues, stress management, insomnia. It aids in bringing balance and harmony to the body as a whole. Ever pinch your nose with your thumbs when you have a headache? You’re intuitively giving yourself acupressure. Acupressure is the holding of certain points on the body. These points may be points of tension or even in some cases, what we would commonly call knots. Some points are and can be specific. Body energy can get ‘trapped’ thus creating tension patterns and knots in the body. The body can have blocked energy, too much energy, or have too low of energy. The holding of these areas until release or softening can take anywhere from 3-5 minutes in any particular spot. I integrate Acupressure into every session I offer, it can also be a session all by itself. It pairs very well with the CranioSacral Session. Every CranioSacral session receives Acupressure Therapy also.
Raindrop Therapy
In this Therapy session, I use 9 of Young Living’s Therapeutic essential oils along the spine and feet. Each oil has major health benefits. This therapy helps to balance the body, mind and boost the immune system. I recommend a Raindrop at least once every three months. Learn more about the raindrop and benefits of each individual oil HERE, as I also perform this technique on horses.
