Small business Balance & Strength Bodywork recently opened in Lower Queen Anne, bringing massage therapist Cam Orgaard full circle from where he was trained more than a decade ago.
Orgaard moved his massage practice from the U-District to the Queen Anne Naturopathic Center (315 First Avenue West) last week, not far from the former location of the Brenneke School of Massage (since acquired by the Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage Therapy) where he trained to become a licensed massage practitioner.
“I really wanted to get back to this neighborhood,” said Orgaard. “I really like the feel of it, and I think it’s a good fit.”
The practice focuses on sports massage and injury treatment. A lot of his clients are the “weekend warrior types” who overdo it with physical activities on their days off, according to Orgaard. He also treats a lot of athletes and dancers. Other clients seek relief from the occupational pains and injuries, such as those that go with being hunched over a computer for eight hours a day.
“I really enjoy seeing what’s wrong, analyzing it, figuring it out and fixing it,” said Orgaard. “When people come in with a problem, I like breaking it down. Not just where it hurts, but why it does, and not only fixing the pain on the table but helping them figure out what the source of the pain is.”
Orgaard, who began his trade giving his mom back rubs as a child, said he began attending the Brenneke School of Massage after seeing an ad for the program on television. He specialized in sports treatment and graduated in 1997. He then spent a number of years practicing at La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego where he worked with a chiropractor honing his skills in therapeutic massage. He said he also has years of experience working in spas giving the “feel-good, stress-relief kind of massage.”
From the Balance & Strength Bodywork website:
My professional objective is to facilitate the success of my clients in achieving their personal goals, be they recovery, maintenance, or improving balance and strength, so they may perform at the top of their ability.
Massage has made strides in becoming accepted as a genuine medical practice, and many insurance companies will offer some sort of payment for massage services, according to Orgaard.
Orgaard rents space in the Queen Anne Naturopathic Center and said he finds the optimal environment to ply his trade.
“Everyone in the whole center has been really great, honest, genuine, and generous,” said Orgaard. “They are great people to work with.”
He is also launching a wellness alliance website that will be composed of area chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists, and a lawyer versed in issues related to health and wellness to facilitate communication and better serve the community. Orgaard said he expects the website to be up and running in the next two to three weeks.
Orgaard is a resident of West Seattle where he lives with his wife and son. In his spare time he and his son practice the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira.