Jay Wence Massage
190 Oak Street, #2, Ashland OR 97520

Texting is a great option:
541 390 4594

Gmail is great too: jaywence@gmail.com

You can also use the Contact page on this website

YES!!!
I am in network with:
Regence BCBS
Regence Group Administrators
MODA
Health Management Associates (HMA)

Asante employees, I am in network with MODA
OSF employees, I am in network with Regence
SOU employees, I am in network with MODA

INSURANCE MUST BE VERIFIED BEFORE YOUR FIRST VISIT

Yes! I will need a prescription for massage from your physician, naturopath, or chiropractor

Massage-
60 minutes / $111
75 minutes / $135
90 minutes / $158
120 minutes / $204
Prepaid packages of four massages / $408*
*(This option pays for 240 minutes of massage in advance)

Astrology readings-
30 minutes/ $54
60 minutes/ $108
90 minutes $162

Myofascial release is a gentle, hands-on technique that focuses on areas of tension and restriction within the fascia—the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and other structures throughout the body.

By applying gentle, sustained pressure and stretching techniques, myofascial release may help reduce tension, improve mobility, and support your body's natural healing process.

Potential Benefits

• Relieve Pain and Muscle Tension: May help ease areas of chronic or persistent muscle tension and discomfort, including tension associated with the back, neck, shoulders, and other areas of the body.

• Improve Flexibility and Mobility: By addressing areas of restricted tissue, myofascial techniques may help improve range of motion and make movement feel easier and more comfortable.

• Support Circulation: Gentle manual techniques may encourage local circulation and fluid movement, supporting the body's natural recovery processes.

• Promote Relaxation: The slow, intentional nature of myofascial work can help calm the body, release muscular tension, and promote a greater sense of relaxation and well-being.

• Support Injury Recovery: Myofascial release can be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan to support healthy movement, mobility, and recovery following injury or periods of physical stress.tion

I am going to greet you, show you where to access water and the restroom, then guide you into my massage room. I will ask you about the intake forms you filled out, your current state of health/ wellness/ dysfunction, and ask you what you would like out of our time together for that session. I will let you know, before I step out of the treatment room which position to position yourself in when you get onto the massage table (face-down, face-up, or side-lying), and that you can dress down as much or as little as you would like (and clarify what that means if you have any questions). I will most likely ask you if you have any questions for me before I step out. Then I will step out, allowing you to dress down if you are going to, and get onto the massage table, and cover yourself up with sheet(s)/ blanket. We can check-in about pressure, technique, questions both before and during massage time. What else: just ask! It is your time and I want you to have agency in how that time is used!

Let’s talk about fascia!

Myofascial release massage, myofascial treatment work, and structural integration are all therapeutic massage techniques that I offer which specifically work with and alter the anatomical myofascial system of the human body. Fire cupping and gua-sha, which are other services I also provide, also alter the fascial body as well. So what is the myofascial system of the body? What is a myofascial massage? Myofascial means muscular/ fascial. Beyond that things get tricky.

The myofascial system (and for that matter, massage in general) are inherently unable to be thoroughly studied empirically via the scientific method because the fascial system and any sort of change to it are not duplicable. Western science employs blind case studies and multiple experiments over control groups. It is not possible to duplicate a massage.

Just like you can never step in the same river twice (it is never ever going to be the “same” river- each instant different water molecules pass by with varying temperature and flow rates, the sky and clouds above are constantly changing, aquatic flora and fauna, and birds- all constantly changing) just so with massage: you could try, but you could never really offer the same massage twice. And, horrors, in the therapeutic massage world, why would you want to?

While human bodies tend to present and function in more-or-less similar manners, like everything else in the cosmos, everybody and everybody’s body are constantly transitioning from one state to another. Each individual person’s body every day, every moment is different. The myofascial system of the body is especially in constant flux! That is its job! And each person’s body should be treated wholly as new with each session.

Even attempting to offer the same massage twice would sacrifice its relevance- if, that is, massage is trying to solve for decreasing pain, increasing functionality and range-of-motion, aligning the body’s presentation (how our body IS, without us doing things to adjust it) towards optimal, and stewarding the body into a state of balance- left to right, and front to back- where we are more comfortable in our being. And that right there is a good definition of a key difference between a Swedish style spa massage, where the goals are to decrease stress and increase relaxation, and therapeutic myofascial work:

Therapeutic, myofascial massage techniques attempt to decrease stress and increase relaxation, while also attempting to decrease pain, increase functionality and range-of-motion, align the body’s presentation towards optimal, and steward the myofascial system into a state of balance- left to right, and front to back- where we are comfortable in our being.

The inert (as in cadaverous) fascial system of the body as a physical construct has been studied fairly thoroughly via dissection. Exhibits like https://bodyworlds.com/freia/ offer a 3-D, whole body display of the fascial system. There is not yet the imaging, that I know of, to study a individual person’s fascial system in real time: Licensed Massage Therapists have to assess and palpate and work with it on the go, as a system.

Ida Rolf was a trailblazer in regards to the study of the myofascial system; it is unlikely that the current conversations and research regarding fascia would be happening without her efforts. Ida Rolf also developed specific massage techniques to treat the fascial system. But check this connotation from the Wikipedia article about her:

“Structural integration is a pseudoscience and its claimed benefits are not substantiated by medical evidence.[14][15]”

Humbly, I would submit that the scientific method cannot substantiate what is an inherently non-duplicable system of the body, and, the above claim, in quotes, from my perspective, dings medical evidentiary findings much more than it disproves Ida Rolf’s efficacy. After all, Western science is just now “finding” the “Interstitium” to much hullabaloo, additionally, from the Western perspective, somewhat “discovering” the veracity of acupuncture meridians despite The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine having been published and in use since somewhere between the 4th century BC and the 3rd century AD. Just saying, Western science has a lot of catching up to do.

And so, if Ida Rolf is a pseudo-scientist, that leaves us therapeutic, Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT’s) who follow in her footsteps, who studied with her, or the now generations of her students, as inherent researchers. We are bodywork pioneers! Treatment by treatment pushing the boundaries of how to to treat the body as a whole. Because, this is important: what Ida Rolf offered to the world of massage was HOLISTIC STRATEGY! Spa style massage, from my perspective, too readily offers up answers- working from a set pattern that might be somewhat universal to each client seen, attempt to work symmetrically to decrease muscular tension and increase relaxation.

By contrast to that overly generalized definition of spa massage, and solely in my own words, I think what studying Ida Rolf’s work- or the descendent work of structural integration offers- is an open minded questioning:

if there is held muscular tension, or a disbalanced, for instance, pelvic presentation: how did that get there, and what vectors of force or presets could we relieve to help to solve for some of that; and, if that were released, how would that change the entire body as a whole system?

Such that, each massage then becomes an openminded questioning about possibilities, an exploration of potentiality! So exciting!

I frequently get asked about the difference between deep tissue massage and myofascial massage. For myself at least, deep tissue massage (which I do as necessary) merely implies the pressure that is used over the course of a massage, while myofascial massage implies the use of a comprehensive strategy, (as expressed just above in italics) rather than the use of force.

Which brings us back to, after so so many, many words and digressions to the question of:

What is the myofascial system of the body?

A simple answer is:

The myofascial system of the body is the porous, fibrous part of the body which- while mobile- scaffolds and holds each individual organ and muscle group and skeletal system, and forms an interconnected web or matrix with all other parts of the body, connecting and bridging both the somatic (actions under our voluntary control- like flexion or extension) body and the autonomic body (the parts of us like our heart which we do not consciously control).

Got it? Easy!

And tricky then to study empirically! But, unlike the Higgs-Bosun particle, aka the god particle, as far as I know the smallest bit of matter known to humans (physicists correct me nicely if you must) which when split by particle accelerator has to be believed in to conduct experiments on it (physicists correct me nicely if you must), we can alter some and then therefore all (since it connects to everything else) (hence the throwing in here of over-my-paygrade references to dark matter structures of the universe, physicists correct me nicely if you must) of your myofascial system on the massage table. And talk about it while we work on it.

Don’t even get me started on the science I learned during my expedition to see and walk on the earth’s mantle at Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland (the mantle moves under potential explosion events like the Yellowstone Super Volcano and stops them from occurring, almost as if the mantle was sentient, protective… (geologists correctly me nicely if you must).

The last two paragraphs are humor at my expense- I acknowledge my utter lack of expertise, and am in on the joke on me! My requisite body of knowledge, more than twenty thousand hours of massage given thus far only makes me a pseudo-scientist explorer like Ida Rolf. And while I do not profess to be anywhere near as learned as Ida Rolf, I am decent at what I do and would love the opportunity to explore with you what is basically non-provable, or even definable as a body of knowledge, but, nonetheless, what can be worked with and helped as a system of the body. Even your body.

We can diligently utilize therapeutic, myofascial massage techniques to decrease stress and increase relaxation, while also attempting to decrease pain, increase functionality and range-of-motion, align the body’s presentation towards optimal, and steward the myofascial system into a state of balance- left to right, and front to back- where you are more comfortable in your being.

Continuity and coordination of care in the health and wellness industry is important to me!

I have built my business model with this tenet as bedrock: I will personally do my very best, before, after, and during each massage session to be informed about you, my client- your being, you as a person with your health conditions, medications, strengths and weaknesses, preferences and aversions, likes and dislikes- so that I can keep you safe and whole and well, and so that our time together can be of benefit to you in achieving your healthcare goals, whatever they might be, within and between each session.

I tend to see clients over vast periods of time. Some clients I continue to work with have been with me for well over a decade. I am, by intention, the sole provider of Jay Wence Massage, so, should you choose to work with me, you will be working with just myself. Each and every time. I read through the fairly comprehensive intake forms I ask new clients to fill out, ask for a verbal check-in before each session, and maintain excellent chart notes of your progress that I look over before your next visit.

I have noticed that the longer I work with anyone, the better the massage/ bodywork I can offer. More quickly can we each stand down our individual nervous systems and get to the heart of the matter. For myself, the business model where your care stays “in house,” in a one-to-one relationship, client to provider, just feels simpler and cleaner.

Over the last many years, I have rarely received positive feedback from clients working with large physical therapy clinics, for example, where the business model is to see any available PT (Physical Therapist), or “your” PT for a few minutes before being “passed off” to an, I’m sure entirely competent, educated, and informed PTA. And the same for Western Medicine: most people do not want a new PCP (primary care provider) with each new appointment, however competent they might be, which can feel effectively like starting over again- at each appointment someone new learning how to help you. This is an excellent business model, that in many ways honors the providers- they can vacation, without interrupting care, for instance; and for clients, they do not have to wait for access post vacationing…

However, continuity of care is a relational concept- the idea that the providers helping you achieve health and wellness KNOW YOU and ARE INVESTED in your care and outcomes! Meaning that there is a relationship of earned trust and co-mutual respect based upon familiarity, knowledge, accountability, and progression towards achievement of your healthcare goals. Such that your provider is a vital part of your healthcare team! Yes!!!

Once you have been my client, you will always be my client. You can see me as much or as little as you want or need, but I will do my best to establish and maintain a therapeutic health relationship with you.

Which brings us to coordination of care.

Coordination of care is the idea that many providers might need to work together to help you achieve a desired goal and that they will share, with your permission, information about your care and progress so that the providers can work separately but synergistically on your behalf.

I don’t want or need to be anybody’s OBI-Wan Kenobi, only hope! I want you as a client to feel healthy and well and I feel honored to work towards that, to the extent of my abilities. Sometimes, your health and wellness needs other cooks in the kitchen! In those cases, I am always so happy to coordinate care with other providers: information, imaging, thoughts from your Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, or Doctor can inform our sessions. And vice-versa. This can look like me reaching out to your other providers, or them reaching out to me. It can look like me pouring over your “Report of Findings,” or imaging. I might suggest an acupuncturist, Chiro, PT, or MD. The point is that you would feel held in continuity of care by multiple engaged and informed providers, who you know and trust. Yes!!!

See Massage and Astrology

30 minutes/ $54
60 minutes/ $108
90 minutes $162

Please provide the place-
City, State, Country where applicable)-
and time -
exact hour and minute/ am pm and year-
of your birth.

An astrology reading is an exploration of your natal chart, otherwise known as your birth chart- the map of the sky at the moment and place of your birth. The chart can reveal patterns, themes, tensions, and possibilities that may help you understand yourself and your life more deeply.

My approach to astrology is less about predicting a fixed future or describing a preset personality type, and more about understanding the patterns you are living with, the experiences that have shaped you, and the possibilities for growth and greater self-awareness.

Comparing your birth chart with current planetary locations can show areas of opportunities for growth, curriculums, if you will.

A natal chart is your birth chart.
Your birth chart is a map of the positions of the planets as they appeared, looking up from earth, at the moment and place of your birth. It includes the Sun, Moon, planets, signs, houses, and relationships between the planets.

Rather than being a simple description of your personality, a natal chart can be understood as a symbolic map of the patterns and potentials you bring into this life.