Rapture Massage and Bodyworks

01/29/2026

Link to the Hidden Brain podcast episode:
https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/marching-to-your-own-drummer/

Resistance can start with inner work - nurturing interoceptive awareness, fostering autonomy by honoring your body.

I do want to acknowledge that a history of trauma can impact your experience in exploring interoceptive awareness, and that there are varying levels of safety in speaking out based on ones' identity and perceived identity. That's where the right support from your community can do wonders.

01/29/2026

Long overdue Rapture update! 2025 was the year I made the executive decision to focus on providing care rather than manage others, to honor my strengths as a bodyworker. I don't have the capacity to post regularly but Iove to connect with likeminded folks, especially in this chaotic time.

Here are links to former Rapture staff:

Karen Oyama LMT is at trilliumtherapeuticmassage.com
(same physical space as Rapture Massage!)
June Nelson LMT is at bebotacoma.com
(Hilltop)
Rosie Langlois LMT is at cascadechiro.com
(S Tacoma)

Wishing everyone a healthy and safe 2026!

08/04/2025

We're approaching June's last week with Rapture Massage before they launch their new practice, Bespoke Bodywork! They've got a few openings left before their last day with us on August 10th. It has been a wonderful 3 years with June and we look forward to watching them succeed! Carol and Karen also have spots available, including afternoon openings:

Mon Aug 4th
3:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 5pm (up to 2 hrs), 6pm (up to 1 hr) w/Karen

Tue Aug 5th
9am (up to 1 hr), 12pm (30 min only) w/Karen
11am (up to 90 min), 3pm (up to 2 hrs), 4pm (up to 90 min) w/Carol

Wed Aug 6th
3pm (up to 90 min), 7pm (30 min only) w/Karen
4pm (up to 90 min) w/Carol

Thu Aug 7th
9am (up to 2 hrs), 10:30am (up to 2 hrs), 11:30am (up to 1 hr) w/Karen
5:30pm (up to 1 hr) w/June

Fri Aug 8th
3pm (up to 2 hrs) w/Carol

Sat Aug 9th
3pm (up to 1 hr) w/June

Mon Aug 11th
11:30am (up to 2 hrs), 1pm (up to 90 min) w/Karen

Our online booking system at https://www.rapturemassageandbodyworks.com/bookonline
is available 24/7 for your convenience.
If you see a spot you want, jump on it before someone else does. If it's no longer available online, that likely means it has been booked 🙂

Instructions on how to book your massage appointment online. Rapture Massage Tacoma

07/30/2025

With Rapture downsizing in September, one of our super spacious, furnished treatment rooms is available for sublease in the revitalized S Tacoma business district! It has the benefit of storefront visibility on STW. Perfect for a practitioner who needs a peaceful space to share their offerings - massage therapists, somatic coaches or therapists, counselors/mental health professionals, acupuncturists, estheticians, etc.

If you prefer the treatment room unfurnished we can clear it, and you're welcome to paint over the mural. The room size is roughly 15 x 12 feet with Ashiatsu bars and large windows. The bars can be uninstalled if you don't want them. It could definitely fit a couch. There's a parking lot behind the building.

Room has an electric Earthlite massage table, client seating area with small table, storage benches/cabinets, air purifier, Mr. Cool AC/heatpump. Again, if you prefer it unfurnished, we can clear it. If you don't like the mural in the room, you're welcome to paint over it.

Rent also includes wifi, utilities, monthly cleaning service, 1 parking permit for the lot behind the building (clients can park there for their appt without a permit), access to laundry room with washer/dryer, all common areas including front desk area, client waiting area, storage room, bathroom.

Entrance is secured. We buzz clients in but you'd get a key code.

There is a long flight of stairs as we're on the 2nd floor, and there is no elevator.

For part time rental (minimum is 4 days):
4 days/week (for example, if you want the space from Thursdays through Sundays): rent is $600/mo
5 days/week rent is $750/mo
6 days/week is $900/mo
For full time rental (7 days a week), the rent is $1000/mo. Available September 1st.
6 month or 1 year sublease

Please email carol.bui.lmp@gmail.com if interested. DMs tend to get lost.

07/09/2025

Hello, Rapture friends. If you've been following our email newsletter, you probably heard that we're in the process of transitioning from a multiple-therapist practice to just a single LMT (myself, Carol) by September of this year. No, we are not moving, and no we are not closing! This is what's happening:

Back in January of this year, I notified all Rapture staff that 2025 is my last year as anyone's employer, with the goal of transitioning back into being a solo massage practitioner by the time my oldest child starts the new school year. It was a decision that was incredibly difficult to make as I've known darn well how fortunate I've been as an employer to have Karen, June, and Rosie as employees. However, it became increasing apparent that running a practice while also navigating motherhood and newly discovered invisible disabilities is next to impossible, especially if I care deeply about everyone getting their needs met. Even with the best possible staff, even with clients who've been supporting us through the ups and downs we've gone through since lockdown - I'd been in chronic fight or flight about keeping Rapture afloat and realized I needed to scale down to not just adequately care for my family and my own clients, but also my health. Facing this truth has been very hard, but having clarity as to what my true strengths are has been profoundly liberating.

This is a very bittersweet change. On the one hand, I very much look forward to having ample space to focus on my love of bodywork, expand on my unique offerings, to focus on better supporting my clients. On the other, I've loved being connected to Karen, Rosie, and June and cherish the fact that we've built this small community, so I'm very much grieving over the fact we won't have this proximity to each other for much longer. The community we have is due to the fact they are who they are. What is encouraging however is that we'll get to be peers and colleagues, and it'll be such a joy to watch them be successful with whatever they do next! I've learned so much from them and am so grateful to have had these years together - Rosie since spring of 2022, June since summer of 2022, and Karen - who joined right before I went on my first maternity leave - since fall of 2017.

Q: So what's happening in the coming weeks and months?
A:
1. Rosie Langlois is now at Cascade Chiropractic and Massage https://cascadechiro.com/ and the phone number is (253) 472-2225. Her last day with us was June 28th. We wish her the very best and are happy for her and her clients there!

2. June Nelson is still a Rapture LMT through the middle of August and I'm so excited to share that they're starting their own practice in the Hilltop area! Their new practice will be called Bespoke Bodywork, located at 1010 S L St, Suite G, Tacoma, WA 98405, Phone contact is (253) 987-6886. We will share online booking information as soon as we get it.

3. Karen Oyama also remains a Rapture LMT through the month of August, then she begins her own practice at our current space! She is not physically moving but will get to call the business shots. :) We'll share more details about her new venture as soon as we get them.

I'm so proud and excited that Karen and June are empowered to create their own entrepreneurial spaces, and look forward to watching them succeed!

Q. Does this mean Rapture is closing?
A:
Absolutely not. It just means that starting September of this year, Rapture as a practice will consist of just myself - Carol Bui, LMT - as the sole licensed massage therapist. The location remains the same.

Q. What's happening with your space? It's too big for just you!
As I mentioned above, Karen will be operating her business at our current location alongside Rapture beginning September 1st. I'm also looking for like-minded healing professionals to sublease one of our treatment rooms part time (at least 4 days of the week available now) or full time (available in sept). Feel free to email me (carol@rapturemassageandbodyworks.com) if you or someone you know is interested

If you have any questions about this change, feel free to email at carol@rapturemassageandbodyworks.com

Thank you for reading, and I'm so very grateful for your support over the years! I had been running a multi-LMT practice for over a decade. Looking forward to having ample space for my true strength and passion; using bodywork to support folks in their journey towards healing and radical self-acceptance.

Carol
Owner/LMT

06/30/2025

RATE INCREASE JULY 1, 2025

Due to an increase in rent and overall expenses, we are raising our prices on July 1, 2025. However, we are eliminating add-on charges for cupping and intral-oral massage; this means intra-oral and cupping will be available with select LMTs (Carol, June, Karen for cupping, Carol for intra-oral) for no extra charge starting July 1st.

NEW RATES FOR ALL MASSAGE SERVICES STARTING JULY 1, 2025:

30 min $70
60 min $120 (includes prenatal)
75 min $145 (includes prenatal)
90 min $170 (includes prenatal)
120 min $220

If you purchased a series of sessions in the past and have sessions remaining, we will honor them at the original pricing you purchased them for. There will be no extra charge upon redemption.

We know times are hard for everyone so we continue to dedicate ourselves to providing exceptional massage therapy services, making sure that it's more than worth it every time. We are so grateful for your continued trust and are honored to be a partner in your wellness journey.

Thank you!

Carol

05/11/2025

Wishing everyone a wonderful, soul-nourishing day, no matter what your relationship to motherhood is. If you are a mother, we wish you plenty of rest, restoration, and loving energy! If you're finding that you're needing a wonderfully satisfying massage this week, we got you. Here are this week's openings, to schedule please visit
https://www.rapturemassageandbodyworks.com/bookonline

Mon May 12
9am (up to 2 hrs), 10:30am (up to 2 hrs), 12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (up to 1 hr) w/Karen

Tue May 13th
11am (up to 2 hrs), 12:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (up to 1 hr) w/Karen

Wed May 14th
2:30pm (up to 90 min), 6pm (up to 90 min) w/Johanna (covering for Carol)
3pm (up to 1 hr), 6pm (up to 90 min available) w/Karen

Thu May 15th
2pm (30 min only) w/Karen
5pm (up to 1 hr) w/June

Fri May 16th
12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (up to 1 hr) w/Rosie
3:30pm (up to 1 hr), 6:30pm (up to 90 min) w/June

Sat May 17th
1:30pm (up to 90 min), 5pm (up to 90 min) w/Rosie

Sun May 18th
1pm (up to 90 min), 5pm (up to 1 hr) w/June

Mon May 19th
11am (up to 1 hr), 2pm (up to 2 hrs), 3:30pm (up to 1 hr) w/Karen

Instructions on how to book your massage appointment online. Rapture Massage Tacoma

02/23/2025

We now have Wednesday evening openings with Karen! Set yourself up for a good nights' sleep with a great massage after a long day of work. And if you haven't heard, June is back with (limited hours) and their schedule is now open for booking! Rosie is on vacation Sat and Sun Mar 1 & 2nd, Carol is covering for her on Saturday. Book online at https://www.rapturemassageandbodyworks.com/bookonline

Here are this week's openings:

Tue Feb 25th
9am (up to 2 hrs), 10:30am (up to 2 hrs), 12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (1 hr) w/Karen

Wed Feb 26th
2pm (up to 75min) w/Carol
3pm, 4:30pm, 6pm w/Karen

Thu Feb 27th
9am (up to 2 hrs), 10:30am (up to 2 hrs), 12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (1 hr) w/Karen
3:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 5pm (1 hr) w/June
5:30pm w/Rosie

Fri Feb 28th
3:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 5pm (1 hr) w/June
4:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 5:30pm (1 hr) w/Rosie

Sat Mar 1st
11:30am (1 hr), 2:30pm (up to 2 hrs) w/June
12:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 2:30pm (up to 90 min) w/Carol (covering for Rosie)

Sun Mar 2nd
11:30am (30 min only), 2pm (up to 90min) w/Karen

Our online booking system is available 24/7 for scheduling appointments. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you this week!

02/21/2025

Swedish Massage is marketed exclusively for promoting relaxation, that it’s only good for pampering. The truth is that Swedish Massage is incredibly versatile.

(Stress management is so important in the healing process, but that’s for a separate post...)

For example, Triggerpoint (TP) Therapy uses “static friction’, a swedish technique. It’s also found in shiatsu and acupressure

myofascial release (MFR) uses ‘effleurage’, also a swedish technique. swedish massage can also accesses fascia, and can be used with or without oil, with the same intent.

Sports massage and Tui na include rhythmic tapping, compressions, pulling, and lifting of the tissue, analogous to ‘tapotement’ and ‘pettrissage’ in swedish massage.

And so on.

So which massage modality out there is the best?

There is no singular ‘best’.

It all depends on your personal goals and individual sensory preferences. What subjectively feels the best to you?

Why do so many of us feel we’re not supposed to enjoy a ‘medical treatment’ for it to be effective?

Massage therapists, in our desire to be taken seriously as healthcare providers, often fall for new trademarked modalities that repackage what we already do with the added promise that we’ll become better healers, often overlooking the role of the client’s nervous systems in healing and pain management.

At Rapture, we utilize Swedish for both treatment and relaxation. We also use MFR/TP and cupping. We believe that healing happens when you enjoy the treatment, and that a well supported nervous system is vital to the process.

Book with us at rapturemassagetacoma.com

01/26/2025

Happy Year of the Snake! Because it sheds its skin, the Snake is a symbol of renewal, compassionate wisdom, and positive transformation. If you ask us, there's no better way to welcome a year of renewal than to get on our massage table for some deep rest and restoration, whether that includes pain and tension relief or sensory nourishment, or all of the above! To schedule, visit https://www.rapturemassageandbodyworks.com/bookonline

Here are this week's openings:

Mon Jan 27th
12:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 2pm (up to 90 min) w/Karen

Wed Jan 29th
11:30am (up to 2 hrs), 1pm (up to 2 hrs), 2:30pm (up to 2 hrs available), 3:30pm w/Karen

Thu Jan 30th
9am (up to 2 hrs), 10:30am (up to 2 hrs), 12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm w/Karen
12pm (up to 2 hrs), 1:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 2:30pm w/Rosie

Fri Jan 31st
2:30pm (up to 2 hrs), 4pm (up to 2 hrs), 5:30pm w/Rosie

Sat Feb 1st
2pm (up to 2 hrs), 3:30pm (up to 2 hrs, 5pm (1 hr) w/Rosie

Sun Feb 2nd
3:30pm (up to 90 min) w/Rosie

Our online booking system is available 24/7 for scheduling appointments. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you this week!

01/20/2025

Looking for ways to cope with the cold weather coming up this week? Our massage tables are heated and get nice and cozy. Pair that with a heated neck wrap and an incredibly satisfying massage treatment for the perfect mini-escape. Here are our openings for this coming week. Openings are 1 hour sessions unless specified otherwise:

Tue Jan 21st
10:30am (up to 2 hours available), 12pm, 1:30pm with Karen

Wed Jan 22nd
3pm with Karen

Thu Jan 23rd
9am (up to 90 min available), 12:30pm with Karen
12pm (up to 2 hrs available), 1:30pm(up to 2 hrs available), 3pm(up to 2 hrs available), 4:30pm (up to 2 hrs available), 5:30pm with Rosie

Fri Jan 24th
4:30pm (up to 2 hrs available), 5:30pm with Rosie

Sat Jan 25th
12pm with Rosie

Sun Jan 26th
3:30pm with Rosie

Mon Jan 27th
12:30pm (up to 2 hrs available), 2pm (up to 2 hrs available), 3:30pm with Karen
4pm (up to 2 hrs available), 5pm with June

01/18/2025

That's right! Massage therapy can be considered a medical necessity. We certainly believe that it is, and so do many of our clients. You might have to get a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from a doctor, though in our experience, we've had plenty of clients pay with their Flex Spending or Health Savings Account successfully without having that letter. If you have a FSA or HSA card with a Visa or Mastercard logo on it, you are good to go at checkout.

Some reasons your healthcare provider may consider massage a medical necessity:
💜 Chronic pain
💜 Injury or surgery recovery
💜 Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD
💜 Long Covid
💜 Fibromyalgia
💜 Jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction

and so many more.

We can also provide you with a Superbill for insurance reimbursement. More info at rapturemassagetacoma.com