In-Volve Bodywork

Carissa founded In-Volve Bodywork, and the practice takes its name from the belief that growth happens when a person is fully engaged with themselves. The snail in its symbolism stands for peace, safety, and self-care, and the three smooth stones stand for mind, body, and spirit. The business describes itself as a place where ancient healing practices and modern science meet.

Abdominal therapy is the practice's specialized bodywork, aimed at digestion, cycle health, and chronic pain relief, and it combines abdominal therapy techniques with visceral manipulation. It was created by Dr. Rosita Arvigo after her training with the Mayan healer Don Elijio Panti in Belize. A first session runs about two hours, beginning with a health history consultation, followed by around 90 minutes of bodywork. Clients stay draped throughout, and women receive a breast drape. Pelvic floor work is done externally, and internal pelvic floor work is referred to a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist. Online consultations over Zoom review health history and teach a personalized self-care routine.

Clinical bodywork includes Integrative Bodywork, a therapist-led session that combines several clinical methods based on what the client needs, along with structural integration and scarwork. Structural integration was originally developed by Dr. Ida Rolf and is usually a series of 10 to 11 sessions, each focused on a specific area of the body, often booked two times a month. Scarwork works to blend scar tissue into the surrounding tissues, and for post-surgical sites it can begin four weeks after surgery if the surface is sealed.

The massage menu covers relaxation, therapeutic, sports stretch, prenatal, reflexology, and Thai massage, plus The Reset Ritual. Sessions can be adjusted to the pressure and length a client needs. A 60-minute visit suits a focused area or a maintenance visit, 90 minutes suits full body with some focus and is recommended for new clients, and 120 minutes suits full body with several focus areas or longer specialty work such as abdominal therapy. Add-ons such as hot stones, warm bamboo, cupping, gua sha, dry brushing, aromatherapy, and intra-oral work for TMJ are included at no extra charge when requested in booking notes.

Appointments need to be reserved under the name of the person who will receive the treatment. A gift can be booked using the giver's contact details, provided the booking notes that the session is a gift. New clients are emailed an intake form after booking and should complete it at least 24 hours before the appointment. A cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice incurs a $30 fee for each treatment hour booked, and a no-call, no-show is charged the full session fee. Arriving late does not extend the session: it still ends at the scheduled time and is charged in full. Children, pets, spouses and other guests cannot attend, except service animals, caregivers or interpreters arranged in advance. Cards and cash are accepted, but not checks, and payment is due at the time of service. Community Sessions are requested by email rather than booked online.

The practice is built on the idea that the body can heal itself and that the therapist's role is to support that recovery. Sessions are tailored to each client, and the work is meant to be ongoing for many clients.