Alaria T Godwin, LMT, CLT - Body Insight Wellbeing Catalyst, LLC

Alaria Godwin is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Society for Oncology Massage Preferred Practitioner, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and owner of Body Insight Wellbeing Catalyst LLC in Wimberley. She left her job investigating utility theft when facing downsizing in 1998, and went back to school for what ended up a calling rather than a simple career change.

She started her first massage practice in 1999, supplementing her income by working in an integrative clinic. She relocated to a mountain home outside of Charlottesville, VA in 2004, and then sold her massage business in 2018, when she relocated to Wimberley. After a few years in the spa industry, she returned her focus full time to her independent practice. Along the way she broadened her practice to include traditional and non-traditional massage and energy modalities on land and in water.

She has over 250 hours of training in lymphatic applications, and over 115 hours of training in oncology massage within the last 3 years. While she values her early training, decades-old information in oncology and lymphology are not always accurate. Both fields, along with pain management, are changing rapidly with new research, treatments, and diagnostics. She stays up to date with recommended best practices for massage therapists in these sometimes overlapping specialties to offer her clients the safest and most effective care she can. 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage was originally developed to treat chronic colds and for general wellness. Modern applications also include treatment for lymphedema, lipedema, and any sort of swelling, including pre-and post-surgical support. While plastic surgeons were the first to recognize the benefit of reducing post operative swelling for their patients, some orthopedists are now referring patients for evidence based MLD after procedures like knee replacements.

In a perfect world, no one would need an oncology massage therapist. Traditional massage during cancer treatment can overwhelm a body that is already depleted because of both disease and the methods used to eliminate it. Even long after cancer is no longer clinically evident, the effects of treatment can still impact a person. S4OM Preferred Practitioners are taught what to ask so they know how, where, and when to modify techniques.

Oncology massage is also ideal for survivors and thrivers. A well-trained massage therapist may also be able to help with long-term side effects of treatment while avoiding unintentionally triggering late-onset complications. People with a history of cancer also still experience muscle soreness, stress, and pain that has nothing to do with their cancer history. A preferred practitioner knows where to adapt to avoid complications, and where the massage can be as firm as they preferred before their diagnosis.

In addition to oncology massage, Alaria has currently up to date training in palliative touch. Anyone nearing end of life can receive touch modified to honor the process of death, which can be imminent or years away. 

If you or someone you care about has or has had cancer, massage therapy with modifications may bring relief without avoidable complications. Oncology massage for any stage:  in treatment, end of life, metastatic, surviving, or thriving, is available, right here in Wimberley.

She grew up volunteering, and in Wimberley has served on the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and several event planning committees for events around town.

When she's not with clients, she's often at trainings and conferences. There are always projects at home near Devil's Backbone with her partner (and their spoiled toy Aussie.) She also loves riding her V-Star and traveling with her soul family.

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