Bodywork

At the Viroqua Healing Arts Center massage is taken to an entirely new level - a level of healing that touches the body and the soul. We have some of the areas most experienced and best trained massage therapists. Each of our therapists brings their own special touch to their treatments.

Massage Therapists

Kathy Doerfer, BSN

Certified Massage & Bodywork Therapist
Zero Balancing Practitioner

Kathy’s unique style of massage therapy and bodywork is an eclectic blend of Eastern and Western modalities including Zero Balancing, Craniosacral, and other manual therapies. Each session is designed to release tension and bring an experience of quietness and clarity to the body and mind. Long flowing strokes, gentle traction, rocking of the spinal column, and pressure applied to areas of increased tension allow one to soften, relax and experience greater ease in all aspects of life.

Kathy provides a calm and nurturing touch that gives relief from musculo-skeletal tension and pain, headaches, stress related symptoms, soft tissue injuries and chronic pain.

In practice since 1985 she is Nationally Certified as a Massage and Bodywork Therapist.

Testimonials for Kathy Doerfer

“I have been doing regular bodywork with Kathy over a long period of time – over ten years. Her gentleness, her focus, her calm are transmitted through her hands and have contributed greatly to my sense of well-being over the years – not just during a treatment, but over time. I highly recommend her as the best kind of massage therapist – she listens to what you need, both through what you tell her and what your body tells her – and then she provides that care innovatively and lovingly.” L W, New York City/Viroqua

For more information click on Zero Balancing.

Renee Lewicki

Certified Massage & Bodywork Therapist
Zone Therapy Practitioner

Renee loves her work. Each session is a unique and personalized integrated touch experience. Utilizing a foundation of Esalan Massage, similar to Swedish Massage, Renee folds in balancing of energy through Polarity work, and Foot Zone to complement wellness for each person. In addition, Aromatherapy and Hot Stones are offered as well.

Renee began her studies of bodywork and wellness in 1974 living in Boulder, Colorado. She began her massage career in 1976 at the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs and Vapor Caves. Moving to the Northwest, Renee then attended the Seattle School of Massage and became certified in 1978. She continued her studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington focusing on Alternative Healing Modalities -- working with Polarity Therapy, nutrition, naturopathic medicine, herbology, color and sound therapies. She continued Advanced Studies in Polarity Therapy while in the Seattle Area. She is a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.

After many travels in Hawaii, Montana, and Washington; Renee and her family settled into the Kickapoo Area in 1988. She has been practicing massage in Viroqua and LaCrosse for twenty-one years. Recently, Renee completed a year-long Zone Therapy training and received her certificate in 2007.

Renee works with a wide range of people and enjoys sharing her life work with each person. She enjoys raising herbs in the family garden, and together with her husband, James, have raised a son and two daughters that live in Arizona, Colorado, and Maine, and another two daughters at home. Each year she travels West to reunite with a hot spring.

Kathy Lofton, CMT

Connecting with the unique wisdom of the body, Kathy focuses on opening congested energy pathways and treating imbalances that contribute to pain, discomfort and lack of energy in daily life. Clients experience gentle, deep massage and release of chronic tension patterns. Feelings of peace and connectedness flow with gratitude and acceptance of our bodies.

Kathy creates a balancing and harmonizing massage by offering a variety of healing modalities including Thai Massage, Chinese Tuina Massage, Sensory Repatterning, Craniosacral Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Seitai Shiatsu and Reiki. Her goal is to facilitate growth, change and healing through her work. Kathy completed her massage training in 1995 from the Massage Institute in Oakland, CA, has trained with Hugh Milne and John Upledgerand and went on to become a graduate of Windemere Institute of Healing Arts in Decorah, IA. She is a Nationally Certified Bodywork and Massage Therapist (NCBMT), member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong, and a mountain biking enthusiast.

Testimonials for Kathy Lofton

"I have been a regular client of Kathy's for four years, the most stressful years imaginable . . .including widowhood, grief. Her work has kept the stress that I've been through from leaving its mark on my physical body. Beyond that somehow! Along with the loving support of community, massage therapy from Kathy has helped me survive."
- B W, Soldiers Grove, WI

"Kathy's treatments led to an improved overall state of health. After suffering a partial tear of my distal bicep tendon, surgery was recommended by my traditional health care provider. With Kathy's help, I was able to avoid the surgery and am improving. I am currently participating in Kathy's Thai massage sessions to help build flexibility and deep breathing. The caring atmosphere and highly professional care that I receive at the Viroqua Healing Arts Center continues to provide me with an alternative choice in the maintenance of my health." - B S, Gays Mills, WI

"I feel nurtured and comforted by time spent in Kathy's care. I leave with a sense of well-being as well as an increased awareness, so that I am able to notice tension in my body and to release it myself."
- P A, Viroqua, WI

Susan Nesbit, CMT

Susan is a 1994 graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and a member of the International Massage Association. She has additional certification in "Massage for the Childbearing Year"® from Kate Jordan, and Myofascial Release from John Barne. She has taught classes in basic Swedish massage as well as pregnancy massage. She has experience working with fibromyalgia, repetitive use injuries, stress related issues, and pregnancy. Susan meets the needs of her clients by being mindful, focused, and nurturing.

Outside of the workplace, Susan is busy raising three beautiful boys, growing flowers, volunteering for Hospice, and dancing. Susan is known to have a positive attitude and an infectious enthusiasm for life.

Testimonials for Susan

“For over ten years, Susan Nesbit has been my massage therapist. Although I initially suffered from fibromyalgia, her weekly massages have brought me, now in my seventies, to vigorous health”.
-AT, Ferryville, WI

“About ten years ago arthritis, headaches, and the effects of job stress led me to seek Susan Nesbit’s help. Appointments every 5 weeks quickly moved to every other week as I experienced relief under her talented hands. The benefits I’ve experienced from Susan’s massages have been critical to maintain an active lifestyle. Susan’s professionalism is enhanced by her friendly, caring, and empathic personality. I have recommended her to many people who agree and are now regular clients also.”
-LO, LaCrosse, WI

Jen Shepard, CMT

Jen approaches massage with an eye toward body structure. She combines client's personal health information with various assessment techniques to determine the best massage approach to use. Her massages are geared individually toward each client's needs. They can be deep, specific and interactive or be more soothing and gentle. Her style of massage is particularly helpful for people experiencing pain from an accident or from a chronic overuse injury.

Jen began her massage career in 1989 learning Panchakarma massage techniques at the Maharishi Ayurvedic Health Center in Lancaster, MA. She utilized that training while next living in Alaska, by giving abyangas and shirodhara's at a very small Ayurvedic Center. Jen has taken many massage classes through the years. Her most influential trainings have included Orthopedic Massage with Whitney Lowe and Neuromuscular Therapy with Doug Nelson. She received her National Certification through NCBTMB in 1993.

Presently, Jen gives table massage sessions at the Viroqua Healing Arts Center in Viroqua, WI and at Symons Recreation Complex in Richland Center, WI. She also provides chair massages for the employees at Organic Valley and the Viroqua Food Coop. Jen is the owner of Massage For Health, LLC. She is a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals and certified to practice Massage Therapy in Wisconsin (#551-046). Jen also holds, with honors, a BS degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire.

Testimonials for Jen

"Jen's massage is both relaxing and invigorating. I am always amazed
at how fast she finds the area that needs the most attention. Her
combination of deep and gentle massage techniques support me with
everything from managing stress to recovering from over zealous
gardening!" -J R, Viroqua

I have recieved massage therapy from Jen Shepard for the last 6 or 7
years, and it has been really beneficial to me. Of course a massage
is a great way to relax, but Jen’s knowledge and ability as a
therapist has helped me overcome a lot of aches and pains, and I am
convinced that her advice on exercises and things to avoid helped me
recover from a hip replacement much more quickly. – Bruce T.