About Us
We’re not just another massage clinic or fitness center; we’re your wellness partners in a personalized, holistic path to health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medical Fitness?
Medical Fitness combines medical expertise, alternative medicine approaches, and individual wellness goals. It tailors exercise programs for specific medical needs to refining existing fitness regimens, engaging cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and balance training. These programs enhance physical function, prevent injuries, and improve quality of life. Often recommended by healthcare providers, they are integral to treating conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, chronic pain, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Is Medical Fitness like Physical Therapy?
While both Physical Therapy (PT) and Medical Fitness are physiotherapies focused on wellness, patient education, physical intervention, disease prevention, and health promotion, there are differences. Medical Fitness acts as the next step after PT, aiding in recovery and reducing the risk of reinjury. Administered by non-medical therapeutic professionals, it takes a holistic approach, targeting dysfunction through a combination of modalities and exercise prescription.
Is FIT FLEX like Yoga?
FIT FLEX shares similarities with yoga, particularly in its utilization of bodyweight resistance in a wellness practice. However, it distinguishes itself with a unique approach that transitions from a warm-up into a full workout. It begins with strategic stretching to activate the body across various planes, emphasizing form and precision to enhance balance and coordination. Through the session as the intensity increases, it includes cardio elements. By the end, every joint and major muscle group are fully activated, promoting both a calm mind and a strengthened body.
Do I have to stop the physical activities I am already doing to participate?
No, you are encouraged to continue any wellness activities you enjoy. Our programs are specifically designed to complement and enhance your existing physical activities. While many activities may focus on specific muscle groups or coordination skills, MH Fit Lab services function as cross-training, prioritizing flexibility, counter motor skills and other supportive adjunct therapies to improve overall fitness. It supports your diverse physical pursuits by promoting balance and versatility in your fitness routine.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, some wellness services like massage/bodywork may be covered under your health plan, while others like fitness and health coaching are typically not covered. Please verify coverage with your insurance provider. However, all our services are eligible for reimbursement through HSA and FSA plans. We’re actively staying updated on changes due to the Affordable Care Act and will report any advancements regarding covered health benefits. For more details, contact your insurance company directly.
What is the difference between the fit lab and a gym?
The fitness lab is a place to experiment with your body safely, discovering your capabilities and challenges. Unlike a typical gym environment, the exercises and mindset at Muscles +HEART Fitness Lab are distinct. While gyms often focus on competition and ego, our priority is on support and success. We provide a safe space welcoming all fitness levels and body types.
What is different about this style of massage?
With over 20 years of experience and continuous education, we integrate advanced kinesiology into our massages, allowing us to consider the kinetic chain in therapeutic outcomes. In addition to traditional massage benefits like relaxation and structural therapy, we prioritize holistic experiences by targeting problem areas while addressing the entire body. Our Medical Fitness therapies follow physical therapy protocol, recommending comfortable stretchy clothing to enhance your therapeutic experience.
How long are the sessions?
Unless it’s a specific service-related session, such as coaching or training, our sessions provide a holistic experience encompassing all aspects of medical fitness, including an assessment, tailored health-related discussions, and a massage. We prioritize quality care over traditional quantity-based models. New clients start with a comprehensive 2-hour intake session to establish a baseline before moving forward with their objectives. While traditional massages are often 60 minutes, we have found that 90 minutes is more effective for subsequent sessions. As you progress, additional time options ranging from 30 to 75 minutes become available.
What is a session like?
During your session, we allocate time to address all aspects of medical fitness therapy, including health-related discussions, an assessment, and what clients call ‘magical bodywork.’ We start with a brief coaching check-in to gauge your progress and experiences on your healing journey. Then, while we get to know your needs, each session begins with a FIT FLEX range of motion assessment. This visual diagnosis helps identify necessary coaching cues for the exercise prescription and any ‘kinks in the links’, guiding the bodywork portion for optimal results.
Are packages available?
Yes, clients can choose packages that align with their goals, offering the best pricing structure for their health investment. Bulk options are available for each service type to help you achieve your objectives. Details can be found on our pricing page. Bundled packages encourage frequency to expedite the healing process and achieve the most effective results toward your objectives. New clients can apply the cost of their first session toward a package. Our entry-level frequency discount package includes 3 sessions scheduled within 10-14 days.
How did you come up with this practice?
Our founder, Casey, was inspired by personal experiences after falling through the cracks of a broken medical system. Encouraged by mentors, she began her journey as a massage therapist to cover medical bills through trade work before eventually obtaining a college degree in emerging medical sciences from Portland State University. Determined to become the practitioner she needed, Casey designed a rehabilitation program for her senior project, later transforming it into her life’s work. This journey led to the creation of MH Fit Lab and FIT FLEX, offering a path of recovery where none existed before.
How can I explain this kind of therapy to other people?
Medical Fitness is an innovative therapy that explores healthy lifestyle practices. It encompasses fitness training tailored to my physical capabilities, health coaching addressing my personal journey, and massage therapy to support both my mental and physical well-being as I navigate these challenges. Essentially, it serves as a personal coach and support system to keep me engaged for the long haul.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission at Muscles +HEART Fitness Lab is to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to embrace lifelong wellness through personalized, accessible, and innovative solutions. We strive to provide comprehensive health, wellness, and fitness services that cater to the unique needs of each individual, fostering a culture of optimistic self-preservation and personal development.
We achieve this by offering a diverse range of in-person health services and on-demand digital training, complemented by online guides, live workshops, and other empowering resources for adaptation. Through evidence-based practices and compassionate care, we aim to reduce stress, enhance long-term wellness, and lower lifetime healthcare costs for our global community. Our commitment lies in guiding each person through their wellness journey, providing the tools and support needed to thrive at every stage of life.
What We Do
Established in 2020
Revolutionizing Wellness with an Integrated Approach
Join us! We are just getting started!
Resolutions into a Wellness Revolution
At MH Fitness Lab, we are at the forefront of a wellness revolution combining the expertise of Sport Medicine, Structural Integration, and a background in Medical Massage Therapy to provide you with unparalleled health solutions. With over 25 years of experience serving the Portland Metro Area, our team of dedicated health providers has garnered numerous accolades for our commitment to excellence. Our journey began with a simple yet profound observation: many patients faced obstacles in their rehabilitation process due to adherence barriers, as a result often hinder general wellness. This realization ignited our passion to create a better way to support you on your path to recovery. We understand that injuries do not discriminate, affecting people from all walks of life, and we are here to guide you through the complexities of post-injury care, helping you achieve optimal health.
As a champion of value-based healthcare, MH Fitness Lab embraces the principles advocated by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Exercise is Medicine model. Our mission revolves around four core aims: improving the patient experience of care, enhancing population health, reducing per capita healthcare costs, and fostering greater joy and satisfaction among healthcare providers. By aligning our vision with these objectives, we strive to drive positive change and bridge the gap between underserved communities and quality healthcare.
At MH Fitness Lab, we believe in empowering you to take control of your health journey, which is why we introduced FIT FLEX Online—a revolutionary at-home companion homework structure to follow along. With the power of technology at your fingertips, this personalized platform ensures you remain connected and engaged between sessions, enabling you to make remarkable progress on your path to wellness. As we look towards the future, our goal is to serve as a platform that explores new avenues to elevate your health to greater heights, providing vetted evidence-based practices from qualified health professionals both online and in-person. Together, let’s pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive world, where your well-being takes center stage. Join us at MH Fitness Lab and embark on this transformative wellness journey towards a better, healthier you.
Our Purpose Story
At Muscles +HEART Fitness Lab, we exist to innovate in therapeutic activities, catering to those who cherish their bodies and seek vibrant health. We invite you to embrace new pathways to fitness and wellness, eager to explore fresh choices that enrich life’s journey.
We exist to serve individuals who aspire to transcend their limits, craving more than solitary efforts can yield. We stand ready for those who yearn for a brighter path, who SEEK A SUPERIOR WAY to savor life, minimizing discomfort along the way.
We exist for you, should you opt to step forward, to seize the reins of action.
Follow Us To Fitness & Beyond…
First, there is a destination in mind. Once you have arrived there is what comes next. For most of us that is an ongoing journey of health and wellness through every life stage. Once we complete one stage there is a new level to keep us engaged and challenged. You are invited to join us to discover what is next… Beyond!
MH FIT LAB VALUES
LEAD BY EXAMPLE: We believe in living by our words and doing ourselves what we tell others to do. We demonstrate the standard and live with integrity by being the proof of congruence of what we teach through communication and accountability while having fun and being kind.
PERSISTENT TO PERSEVERE: We know that success doesn’t come by chance , we work continuously towards a desired course of action, an outcome, despite difficulty or opposition; everyday.
ALWAYS BE LEARNING: Discovery happens daily, we are connected with our industries to research and source the latest evidence-based science to bring forth the tools and kills that enable successful D-I-Y self-care.
CREATING A CONNECTION FOR IMPACT: We are leaders who create systems and processes to connect with people through the fundamentals of humanity. Providing access to health education for safety, avoiding pain, conserving energy and attaining pleasure.
We are Not for Everyone
We are …
Bold women. Breaking free from the status quo. We are visionaries who see a different horizon. Ready to release limitations set before us, move past them and rebuild anew.
We are not …
For the trend seekers… the magic pill takers. Or those who want the quick and easy.
Here …
Is where you will find ambitious people ready to take on challenges and goals bravely..
We are …
Spirited. We challenge limitations with strength and vigor. There is no turning around on life’s adventures, only moving forward.
We are not …
For those seeking a hand-out or unwilling to do the work. Challenges are meant to be difficult and overcoming them is the reward.
Here …
Perseverance is the secret sauce. We work continuously towards a desired course of action, an outcome, in spite of difficulty or opposition; every day.
We are …
Audacious. Moving towards goals with an intensity of spirit and heart.
We are not …
A quick fix. It took time to get into a rut, it’ll take time to get out of it. Consistency is non-negotiable.
We are …
Relentless. There is no compromise for achieving a dream, consistent work is what it takes to thrive.
We are not …
Taskmasters. We are realistic and break down the complex into the attainable. Simple to do tasks that create results.
What We Believe
We BELIEVE in ACTION. Do the thing, do it to the best of your abilities.
We BELIEVE in BRAVE. It is okay to be scared at the same time.
We BELIEVE in COURAGE. To take action in the face of fear anyway.
We BELIEVE in COMMITMENT. The step beyond intention.
We BELIEVE in INTEGRITY. Long after the mood has left, we are still committed.
We BELIEVE in INNOVATION. Dare to think beyond the box.
We BELIEVE in ADAPTATION. Humans are designed to thrive in the face of stress.
We BELIEVE in DILIGENCE. A little every day is better than nothing at all.
We BELIEVE in COMMUNICATION. Your voice and opinion matter.
We BELIEVE in COMPASSION. We consider others before ourselves.
We BELIEVE in PROACTIVE. Take responsibility for yourself every day.
What We Don't Believe
We DON’T BELIEVE in PERFECT. Do your very best and get better with each step.
We DON’T BELIEVE in EXCUSES. Have conviction and follow-through.
We DON’T BELIEVE in FAILURE. There is only practice until you get better.
We DON’T BELIEVE in TOO OLD. You can grow at any age.
We DON’T BELIEVE in COULD. Because it begins with I can.
We DON’T BELIEVE in SHOULD. Because that is just messy.
We DON’T BELIEVE in TRY. “No! Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.” -Yoda
We DON’T BELIEVE in WISHFUL. Do the work for the sake of doing it.
We DON’T BELIEVE in COWARDLY. Because daring is a better framework.
We DON’T BELIEVE in EXCLUSION. Everyone is capable and welcome.
We DON’T BELIEVE in TRENDS. Consistency is what proves truth.
Get in Touch
Open Hours
Mon – Fri — 8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday — 10:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday — Closed
Muscles +HEART Fitness Lab
1827 NE 44th Ave #340
Portland, OR 97213
