Practicing Healthy at Every Size (HAES) in Beaverton, OR
The Healthy at Every Size (HAES) movement was created to address the challenges people on the heavier side of the spectrum face when seeking quality healthcare. Fat bias—whether conscious or unconscious—remains common in medical settings, even though it is not supported by science.
Too often, people in larger bodies encounter medical providers who:
- Fat shame
- Dismiss real symptoms
- Assume all health issues are weight-related
- Misdiagnose or ignore patient concerns
The truth is simple: “fat” is not a diagnosis. Just as thin people can be seriously ill, people in larger bodies can be perfectly healthy. The HAES movement aims to educate healthcare providers and correct weight-based bias in patient care.
My Personal Commitment to HAES Principles
As someone who has lived in a larger body my entire life, I have experienced these biases firsthand. Since college, I have been dismissed and doubted by nearly every doctor I’ve seen—told to “try harder” to “diet and exercise,” even when my concerns had nothing to do with weight. These approaches never worked, and they often delayed real solutions.
I am fortunate now to have a doctor who truly listens and believes me. With her help, I’ve improved my health—without needing to change my body size. This experience fuels my commitment to ensuring Body Balance Rolfing and Massage is a safe, respectful, and empowering space for every client.
How I Practice HAES in My Work
Even before HAES existed, I approached care through its principles. In my practice in Beaverton, OR, that means:
- Listening fully and respectfully to each client’s concerns
- Offering Rolfing® Structural Integration and massage therapy focused on improving function, mobility, and reducing chronic pain—regardless of body size
- Providing furniture and equipment that comfortably accommodates larger bodies, including a steel-framed electric massage table that adjusts smoothly to meet your needs
We ALL deserve to be heard. We ALL deserve quality healthcare without bias. At Body Balance Rolfing and Massage, I’m here to be part of your healthcare team—helping you feel stronger, more comfortable, and more at home in your body.
For more information about the HAES movement, visit: https://asdah.org/haes/