Feel at home in your body, in your home. Attentive, personalized care, focused on deep relaxation and supporting chronic pain. And masked! So you might not have to.

Looking for a session ASAP? Have questions before booking? Text me: 503-303-8689.

My style

I practice a blend of gentle-deep tissue and Swedish massage, and integrate techniques from modalities like myofascial release, structural integration, Thai, and Ayurvedic.

What does that mean? I use my hands to listen for where your body is holding restriction, respond with techniques, and listen to how your body responds. It’s slow. It's collaborative. I believe softening can only happen when our nervous systems feel safe enough to soften.

Services

I offer 60, 90, or 120-minute sessions, and a back-to-back discount when you book an in-home session for yourself and a beloved during the same visit. You can add on hot towels, hot stones, cupping, and an epsom salt footsoak.

Payment + Pricing

Payment timing: I collect payment when I arrive at our session. I prefer cash or Venmo, and accept credit cards.
Sliding scale: I offer sliding-scale rates to make bodywork more accessible while honoring the value of my time and skill.
Payment amount: You’ll choose the sliding-scale rate that feels true for you. After you book your session, I’ll follow up by text to confirm your rate price and appointment details.
Introductory pricing: As I launch my practice, my prices are intentionally set on the lower end and will gradually increase over the next 18 months.
Tipping: I don't accept tips because tipping introduces dynamics that don’t align with my approach to bodywork.
Travel cost: I currently don’t include a travel cost. Some mobile therapists charge a flat travel cost, some charge it by mileage. In the next few months, I'll be experimenting with zone-based. This cost will be added to the session rate, and will range from $0 to $40 based on your location.
Insurance: I unfortunately can't accept insurance while my practice is mobile.

Sliding Scale

Please choose the rate that feels honest for you. Because our financial realities shift, I'll ask for your current rate each time you book.

ACCESS
For people with unstable income, struggling to meet basic needs due to racism, classism, and/or ableism. And likely qualify for public assistance.
60 mins: $70
90 mins: $90
120 mins: $120
Back-to-back 60 mins: $120
Back-to-back 90 mins: $180

SUPPORT
For people who generally meet their basic needs but have unpredictable and tight income due to racism, classism, and/or ableism.
60 mins: $90
90 mins: $146
120 mins: $170
Back-to-back 60 mins: $170
Back-to-back 90 mins: $250

MARKET
For people who are financially stable and able to budget for wellness without strain. This is the market rate for mobile massage and helps stabilize my practice.
60 mins: $120
90 mins: $160
120 mins: $220
Back-to-back 60 mins: $220
Back-to-back 90 mins: $330

FUND
For people with financial ease, generational wealth, and/or high earning power. These bookings help cover Access + Support rates.
60 mins: $150
90 mins: $190
120 mins: $270
Back-to-back 60 mins: $270
Back-to-back 90 mins: $390

About me

My name’s Nels. I’m a licensed massage therapist in Portland. I'm white, queer, trans, autistic, and think a lot about access needs and comfort, and who gets access to comfortable bodywork.

I started my mobile massage practice in October 2025 after graduating from East West College of the Healing Arts here in Portland. I orient my life around being more in my body and embodied community. I study Somatic Experiencing, sing at a local song circle, dance, meditate with a small sangha, and organize with friends using a politicized somatics framework called Embodying Racial Justice.

Covid Needs

During our sessions, I wear a fit-tested N95 mask, but my practices don't require you to wear a mask. If I need to take a mask break or drink water, I step outside. I'm up to date on my vaccines, cancel plans if anyone's feeling unwell, and wear N95 masks in all public indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces. I only unmask with people who have the same masking practices, or after a recent negative NAAT/molecular or PCR test.

Access Needs

I'm learning with peers how to keep building this work around our values and our politics. For me, that means moving bodywork towards relationality, choice, consent, body-positivity, and price-accessibility, and practices that support disability, chronic pain, sensory needs, and the traumas and intelligence and joy our bodies hold.

FAQ's

What's your late and cancellation policy?
I aim to hold clear boundaries while supporting those with less control over their schedules, especially chronically ill clients. If you arrive late, that time will be deducted from your session. Each client receives one free cancellation per year. If you cancel or reschedule within 48 hours, we can rebook at no cost. If you need to cancel or reschedule within 24 hours, I’ll need to charge a $50 fee. Because this work is my livelihood, late cancellations mean lost income. If I’m ever late, I’ll either adjust your session time, credit you accordingly, or add time to a future appointment.
Do you accept insurance?
I unfortunately can't accept insurance while my practice is mobile. But, depending on your insurance provider, you can book with me on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Be Well Holistic Clinic (for example, CareOregon has 30 rehabilitative sessions and the work I do qualifies).
What’s a travel cost?
Some mobile therapists charge a flat travel cost, some charge a mileage cost. I’m not currently charging a travel cost, but n the coming months I'll be experimenting with a zone-based travel cost. This cost will be added to the session rate, and likely range from $0 to $20.
Do you accept trades?
I'm open to them! I do still need to pay rent and bills so will only be able to do limited trades each month.
Can you donate a session to our fundraiser?
Yeah! I try to donate at least one session a month, please send me a note at nels (at) pansybodywork (dot) com.
Do I have enough space for in-home massage?
I need access to a room with about 10 feet x 15 feet of open space to support my body mechanics. This is a little smaller than the size of a parking spot. I also need access to an electrical outlet in the same room, and a sink (could be in a different room). If this requires moving around some furniture, I'm up for helping during our session time. If I show up and there’s not enough space for me to use proper body mechanics around my table, I won’t be able to do my full range of techniques and will name this in our intake.
What if I don’t feel comfortable on the actual massage table?
I offer three different styles of massage equipment to support different body needs and technique preferences. You can choose from a massage table (31 inches wide and 71 inches long with a working weight of 500lb), Massage chair (like you see at events with a maximum operating weight of 350 lb) and a floor mat (typically used in Thai massage sessions. Still very comfy and heated!).
What kind of general accommodations do you offer in sessions?
I offer:
- moving furniture when I arrive (though, this will need to be accounted for in our session timing)
- ensure there’s space near the table for mobility devices
- mobility support for getting on and off the table
- hypermobility care and caution
- support for your changes in body temps within session
- a review of my supplies for potential allergens
- big support in your decision to wear whatever's most comfortable.
- And I’m saving up to buy table extenders to make the table wider and longer.

I’d love to be in conversation, send me a note if there’s an accommodation you don’t see listed.
What kind of sensory accommodations do you offer in sessions?
I offer:
- All fragrance-free supplies
- No music and ability to choose your own music
- Sessions that are more movement focused (rocking, stretching, active resistance work)
- Sessions that move very slowly (long, slow compressions and holds)
- Dedicated hands-off time and pauses
- Ability to use your own lotion or oils.

I’d love to be in conversation, send me a note if there’s an accommodation you don’t see listed.
What kind of communication accommodations do you offer in sessions?
I offer:
- a conversation on ways to name needs and feedback during the session
- a gameplan to setup check-ins at specific intervals
- a gameplan for what we can try out if you get flooded during our session, triggered, shutdown, have an emotional release, or preferences around waking you up if you fall asleep
- following your lead on minimal or zero conversation during the session
- agreeing to nonverbal signals for stopping or adjusting pressure
- extra communication, like a choice at every step: “Would you like X or Y?” instead of assuming (pressure level, areas to focus on, amount of draping, etc.)
- clear verbal explanation before I touch designated areas of your body
- a verbal cue when there’s 10 minutes left in our session
- setting up payment when I first arrive so you don’t have to look at your phone after our session

I’d love to be in conversation, send me a note if there’s an accommodation you don’t see listed.
Do I need you to wear a mask?
No, my precautions don’t require you to wear a mask during our sessions. Though, I’d like the room we’re working in to have a true-hepa air purifier. I’ll ask in my intake form whether or not you have one. If you don’t have an air filter, I’ll bring one.
Would you be willing to take a rapid test or a Pluslife test before our session?
Yes, I can take a rapid test before coming to your home if you request. When it becomes easier to purchase pluslife tests again, I’ll offer testing as an add-on (for me and for clients). In the meantime, I can’t offer my own pluslife tests.
How do you approach privacy + digital security?
My booking software and intake forms are HIPPA compliant and I’m the only person with access. My text messaging service is not end-to-end encrypted, nor HIPPA compliant so I try to ensure all texting is limited to logistical coordination.
What’s your approach to confidentiality?
What you share in your intake forms or in session stays contained. I take confidentiality seriously, especially because many of us share community spaces and relationships. Holding your stories with care allows our work together stay grounded in the boundaries that keep our web of connections strong.
What's your Massage Soapbox?
Ah. I'm so glad you asked! I believe massage is one of the more accessible pathways to reconnect and relate with our body, reorient to touch as safe and therapeutic, practice co-regulating and attuning with others, learn about our unique nervous system states and how to support them, meet new parts of our body, reorient with chronic pains, practice direct communication around needs and boundaries, practice asking for what we want, and, and, and. The list goes on. My biggest massage soapbox? I believe massage should be more accessible, part of standard healthcare AND that it shouldn't be so gatekept. We're all bodyworkers because we all have the capacity to care for each other through healing touch.
What's Gentle-Deep Tissue?
“Deep tissue” doesn’t mean painful — it means working with the deeper layers of muscle. Our bodies respond best when they feel safe: muscles contract when they don’t trust we’ll care for them, and fascia tightens around our habits and patterns. My approach is slow and attentive, starting gently and deepening only when it’s clear your body welcomes more pressure. I see Deep Tissue as a practice of listening, compassion, and ease — not force. That said, if you’re asking for more pressure and are still able to breathe fully and relax into the area we’re working on, I can usually meet you with plenty of depth.
What do I wear? Do people really get naked?
Massage is a big consent practice. You’re always in charge of your body and your boundaries. I follow Oregon draping policies, which means your chest, genitals, and gluteal cleft (aka buttcrack) are always covered. I will never massage under the drape or under your clothing. You can wear as much or as little as you like. A lot of clients wear underwear. A lot of clients go fully nude. It's your call.
What if a massage technique or pressure doesn't feel good?
You ultimately decide where and how I work. Please, tell me if something isn't feeling good. Really. Even if you're like, "oh it's only going to be a second and then it will be over." I will build more trust with you as a client the more you tell me when something isn't working for you. There are all sorts of modifications we can make. For example, if you're uncomfortable with me working on your glutes, I can avoid them, I can use a tool, or you can tell me to only work on them over the drape.
Are you ok with my pets being around during our session?
Usually! They're bodyworkers, too. I genuinely *love* when they participate in our session and offer their comforts and their biscuitmaking. And, sometimes they can be distracting. If they're too distracting for me I'll let you know and we can figure out a plan.
I've never had a massage before, or mobile massage, how does it work?
Thanks for trying it out with me! Here are my recommendations: make space so you have time to settle for 5-10 mins before our appointment. Try to drink a lot of water or tea that day. Be prepared to talk about what you're wanting from our session.

I'll text you when I park and start unloading. I'll take off my shoes when I come in, and then spend 10 mins setting up my table, getting the tablewarmer going, and tinker with my speaker and any add-on supplies (hot stones, hot towels, cupping). Most people are tempted to help me set up and move things, and that's very sweet of you! But I'll politely decline your offers. I love that massage is a practice of receiving care. If you want to chat and start our intake process while I'm setting up, that works for me!

We'll have a brief intake conversation where I'll go over your health history, requests, precautions, and needs. I'll share a proposed gameplan, and you'll let me know how you want to change the plan. I'll step out of the room and wash my hands while you dress down to your comfort level, get ready on the table under the sheet and blanket. I'll set a timer and put on music.

You might be the kind of client where you want to be in ongoing dialogue about the massage (eg. "that spot feels good, would you stay there a little longer?" or "wow, what muscle are you on there, what's happening?"). Or you might be the person who wants silence so you can really stay in your body. Or you might fall asleep, and that's one of the best compliments! Your call. I'll let you know when we've got about 5 mins left.

I'll close the session and leave the room while you slowly, with lots of big deep breaths get off the table and dressed. We'll spend 10 mins checking in after to see how you're feeling, and I'll ask for any feedback or ideas for our next session.

I look forward to working together — slowly, kindly, and without forcing anything. It's not about fixing, it's about creating the conditions you and your body need for your own sweet healing.

Pansy Massage + Bodywork

2-hour session: $120-270 sliding scale