Andi Gherard, LMT
They/Them Lic #: 25464
Andi first discovered a passion for bodywork in Portland, OR as an industrial bread baker. Watching their coworkers develop acute + chronic work injuries fueled their desire to enter the healing field of bodywork and massage therapy. Their experience as a trained sexual assault + domestic violence advocate directly influences their ability to hold space and offer co-regulation for the emotional shifts that can occur when we address and release the tension held in our body.
Andi’s practice braids together clinical western neuromuscular science and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their work includes techniques such as deep tissue massage, Tui Na, myofascial release, trigger point work, silicone cupping, hot stone, and Gua Sha while providing a safe space for trauma relief. Andi enjoys getting the opportunity to connect with people and meet them wherever they are!
Massage therapy accepting insurance plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Motor Vehicle Accident claims but unfortunately not OHP.
“Do yourself a favor and book with Andi! They are truly a one of a kind body worker whose passion for providing care shows in both their dedication to learning new modalities, communicating clearly and kindly, listening to their client , profoundly respecting you as the greatest expert of your body, combined with their own intuition and years of practice.
I am writing this directly after a session where I feel like I learned that I don’t actually have to hold tension and pain in certain parts of my body that I had long ago just assumed was how it was gonna be. I’ve seen them before and always loved the effect but I feel like we really did some amazing work today together. I’ve seen so many different massage therapists but Andi is my person forever now because I am constantly amazed at how deep and effective their work is while not leaving me in pain.
I’ve also never felt judged about how I’ve shown up or how my body is, which is sadly rarer than it should be. As someone with chronic pain from hEDS (which they actually took the time to research and understand) I’m so grateful for the environment and the practice that they’ve created. (Also the dad jokes can be stellar sometimes too so they have range lol). Go see them!”
— Michella O.
-
Andi was licensed in 2019 + started working in 2020. They’ve been in private practice since Leap Day February 29, 2024!
-
You are the expert on your body!
Andi works inside an anti-capitalist + anti-oppressive lens that understands that individuals aren’t solely responsible for their health. The community should care for everyone and should help!
Andi is trained to use the body’s natural occurring healing properties to right itself with assistance, intentionality, care, safety, and consent!
This is not about your body being strong armed or bullied into how “you’re suppose to be”. It is about allowing your body to be held in safety so it can unfurl + release the way it wants to.
-
Hypermobility/EDS, injury recovery, surgery recovery, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, CPTSD, and more!
-
Andi loves their indoor plants deeply! They love hiking, kayaking, watching standup comedy, cooking, and trash action movies! Their an anatomy nerd who loves talking about anti-oppression theory!
Andi is truly a gift! As a queer person with chronic pain, I dont know how I would have managed, much less kept my spirits up, over the last three years without them. Not only are they a safe space to receive compassionate trauma informed medical care, but my work with them has been one of the only reliable ways for me to experience a drop/break from my extremely high daily pain.
Andi has created a warm and welcoming space and filled it with joy, compassion, and a level of commitment to consent based healthcare that I have never experienced elsewhere. The safety this has provided me with allows me to engage with my body/pain/trauma in ways that I thought impossible.
I enthusiastically recommend them to anyone and everyone, but especially trans/queer folk that want more peace with their bodies and pain free moments.
-Katie J.