I'm Nicole Tackaberry — Licensed Massage Therapist, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Specialist (Vodder Method), and Corrective Exercise Specialist based in San Clemente, CA. My practice integrates lymphatic therapy, therapeutic bodywork, and expert corrective movement to address the conditions that are often complex, overlapping, and underserved.
My clinical focus is on lymphatic health, post-surgical rehabilitation, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions, nervous system dysregulation, and specialist-level corrective exercise. In my corrective work, I assess not just movement patterns and load mechanics, but the neurological inputs — including the visual and vestibular systems — that quietly drive dysfunction and are consistently missed by conventional coaching and rehab.
Clients come to me when they need someone who understands the full picture and works at a level of precision that goes beyond general care. I provide the expertise and the roadmap — whether that's for lymphatic health, recovery, or movement — and give you the foundation to carry that work forward.
LMT — Licensed Massage Therapist
MLD — Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Method certified)
CES — Corrective Exercise Specialist
Reiki Practitioner — Energy work for nervous system reset
Lymphatic health & drainage
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Autoimmune & chronic conditions
Chronic pain & nervous system dysregulation
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder
Dysautonomia (POTS, MCAS)
Lymphedema management
California LMT #93182
I use whatever your body needs — bodywork, lymphatic drainage, corrective exercise, energy work. The modality follows the session, not the other way around.
A focused session tailored entirely to your body and what it needs that day. May include therapeutic massage, lymphatic drainage, corrective exercise, Reiki, or any combination.
Book NowMore time to go deeper — ideal for complex presentations, first visits, or when your body needs extended attention across multiple areas or approaches.
Book NowPre-paid packages for consistent, committed care. Bundles apply to any session type at the same length.
Single rate: $185/session
$527 ($175.50/session — save $28)
$833 ($166.50/session — save $92)
$1,258 ($157.25/session — save $222)
$1,535 ($153.50/session — save $315)
Single rate: $235/session — Bundle rate: $190/session
$570 ($190/session)
$950 ($190/session)
$1,520 ($190/session)
$1,900 ($190/session)
This is not personal training. This is specialist-level movement analysis — the kind that identifies what most coaches, trainers, and even physical therapists miss.
I work at the level of neuromuscular detail: faulty load patterns, compensatory stabilization, dysfunctional sequencing — and critically, the neurological role of the eyes and vestibular system in how your body moves and holds itself. The things that are quietly running your movement in the background and creating the problems no one has been able to fix. After working with me, you'll have the foundation and the clarity to train with any coach effectively. I'm not here to get you in shape — I'm here to teach you what you're doing wrong at an expert level. You take it from there.
Each session includes 3 personalized corrective videos to support your work between appointments.
Structured, multi-month programs for deep and lasting change. Every program is case by case — the structure below is the framework, not the formula. Pricing is discussed during your consultation.
Designed with c-section recovery in mind and open to all postpartum moms. Sessions are scheduled roughly 4 per month — life happens, and we don't ask for perfection. Organic CBD balm and garden-grown chamomile tea are included at every session. You also take home a 2oz CBD balm to support your healing between appointments.
You deserve care that is nourishing, easy, and pressure-free. There is no rigid schedule here — just consistent, gentle support for your body's return.
Structured support for the body after surgery — whether orthopedic, reconstructive, or general. Reiki is always included in MLD sessions. You take home a 2oz CBD balm to support healing between appointments. Every program is tailored to your surgical timeline and your body's pace.
This program is for anyone navigating chronic systemic inflammation — or anyone who simply feels disconnected from their body and ready for something different. Each month has a bodywork focus and an education theme. This is not coaching. It is holistic professional guidance — a different kind of knowing, offered softly. A monthly 1-on-1 call covers symptom check-ins and that month's topic. Lifestyle guidance is woven through every session.
Intentional gatherings and private experiences beyond the treatment room.
An unhurried private experience built around your body's need for deep rest. The bodywork is the anchor. What follows is just as intentional.
Learn to work with each other's bodies — thoughtfully, skillfully, and with genuine care. I'll guide you through the fundamentals of therapeutic touch, pressure, and reading what your partner's body is asking for. A practical and intimate experience for any two people who want to deepen their connection through healing touch.
Book NowFor complex cases, layered conditions, or anyone who wants to understand what kind of care is right for them before committing to a program. Your knowledge is billable. Your questions deserve real answers.
A structured conversation — your history, your body, your goals. We'll map out what care could look like for you and whether a transformation program is the right next step.
Book a Consultation
My private studio is designed with sensitive bodies in mind. Warm, filtered light. Calm surroundings. A space where your nervous system can finally rest.
Every element — from the organic CBD balm to the temperature of the room — is considered for those with hypermobility, sensory processing differences, and dysautonomia. This isn't just a massage studio. It's a sanctuary.
Autoimmune Disorders, Lymphedema, Lipedema & Hypermobility
If you're living with an autoimmune disorder, chronic inflammation, or immune dysfunction — there's a good chance your lymphatic system and connective tissue are part of the story. These conditions don't exist in isolation. Autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome frequently co-occur with connective tissue disorders, lymphatic dysfunction, and the full spectrum of EDS comorbidities. Understanding how they overlap is the first step toward getting care that actually addresses the root — not just the symptoms.
Impaired Lymphatic Drainage — It Doesn't Always Look Like What You Think
When most people hear "lymphedema," they picture dramatic, visible swelling. But for people with EDS and hypermobility, lymphedema often shows up as something much more subtle — and much more constant. It's micro-lymphedema: a low-grade, chronic fluid backup that you've probably been living with so long you think it's just how your body feels.
If your legs feel heavy by the afternoon. If your hands are puffy when you wake up. If your rings are tight by the end of the day. If your face looks different in the morning than it did the night before. That heaviness, that puffiness — that's your lymphatic system not draining properly. In EDS, the connective tissue that supports your lymph vessels is structurally weaker, meaning those vessels can become stretched, leaky, or sluggish. Your lymphatic system has no pump of its own — it relies on muscle contractions and healthy connective tissue to move fluid. When both are compromised, fluid pools in the tissues. Not dramatically. Just enough that you feel it every single day.
This is why consistent MLD matters so much for people with hypermobility. You're not going to "fix" the lymphedema with one session — your connective tissue is the underlying issue and that's not going away. But with regular, consistent care, you can manage it. You can keep the pathways open, keep the fluid moving, and dramatically reduce that heavy, swollen, foggy feeling that most EDS patients have just accepted as their baseline. The goal isn't a cure — it's giving your body the ongoing support it can't give itself.
You Might Not Realize This Is Lymphedema
Legs that feel heavy or "full" by afternoon, puffy hands or face in the morning, rings that fit differently throughout the day, skin that feels tight or thick, general heaviness or fatigue that doesn't match your activity level, bloating that isn't food-related, feeling like your body is holding water but your doctor says you're fine, recurrent infections or slow healing
Painful Abnormal Fat Distribution — Not "Just Weight"
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive fat disorder involving abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue — typically in the legs, hips, buttocks, and arms — that does not respond to calorie restriction, exercise, or weight loss surgery. It is not obesity. It is not lifestyle. It is a medical condition that has been systematically underdiagnosed and dismissed, especially in women.
Research shows that over 50% of people with lipedema also have hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This isn't a coincidence — it's the same connective tissue dysfunction showing up in a different way. The faulty collagen in EDS creates lax tissue architecture that allows abnormal fat deposits to accumulate and spread more easily. As these deposits grow, they physically compress the lymph vessels running through the affected tissue, progressively choking off lymphatic drainage.
Over time, this compression can trigger secondary lymphedema on top of the existing lipedema — a condition called lipo-lymphedema. At this stage, you're dealing with both a fat disorder and active lymphatic failure simultaneously. The swelling becomes harder to manage, the pain intensifies, and mobility decreases. This is why early intervention with MLD and proper diagnosis matters so much — catching it before the cascade becomes irreversible changes the trajectory entirely.
Lipedema also has a hormonal component. It often first appears or worsens during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause — moments when hormonal shifts intersect with an already-vulnerable connective tissue system. Many people with lipedema spend years being told to "just lose weight" before anyone identifies the actual condition.
Common Signs
Symmetrical swelling in legs or arms that stops at the wrists and ankles (the "cuff" sign), pain or tenderness to even light touch, easy bruising with no apparent cause, swelling that worsens throughout the day or with heat, fat distribution that is disproportionate to the rest of the body, no improvement with diet or exercise, heaviness or aching in affected limbs, nodular or uneven texture under the skin
You Might Not Know You Have EDS — But Your Body Does
Most people don't walk in saying "I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome." They walk in saying they have POTS and their heart races every time they stand up. Or they've been diagnosed with MCAS and react to everything. Or they're autistic and have always had "weird" pain that nobody takes seriously. Or they've been told they have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, IBS, or anxiety — and none of the treatments have fully worked.
Here's what many practitioners miss: these conditions frequently share a common root — connective tissue dysfunction. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, particularly the hypermobile type (hEDS), involves genetic differences in collagen production. Collagen isn't just in your joints — it's in your blood vessels, your gut lining, your lymph vessels, your skin, and your nervous system. When it's structurally compromised, the effects cascade across every system in your body.
The research on the autism-EDS-MCAS overlap is growing rapidly. Studies are showing significantly higher rates of joint hypermobility and EDS in autistic individuals compared to the general population. The sensory processing differences, the pain, the autonomic dysfunction — for many people, these aren't separate conditions. They're different expressions of the same underlying connective tissue disorder.
You don't need an official EDS diagnosis to benefit from care that understands this connection. If you have POTS, MCAS, autism, chronic pain, or any combination — and you've felt like something ties it all together but no one can tell you what — connective tissue may be the answer you've been looking for.
You Might Recognize Yourself Here
Diagnosed with POTS, MCAS, or dysautonomia but no clear underlying cause identified; autistic with chronic joint pain, fatigue, or GI issues; told you have fibromyalgia but the treatments don't quite fit; "double-jointed" or unusually flexible, especially as a child; chronic subluxations or dislocations; sensitive to medications, anesthesia, or environmental triggers; skin that bruises easily, stretches, or heals slowly; feeling like your body is falling apart but your bloodwork is "normal"
The underlying mechanism is connective tissue. In EDS, weakened collagen compromises the structural integrity of lymph vessels, making it harder for your body to move fluid efficiently. At the same time, joint instability forces your muscles to work overtime just to keep you stable — and when those muscles fatigue, lymphatic flow slows even further.
Lipedema adds another layer: as abnormal fat accumulates, it physically compresses lymph vessels, further impeding drainage. Over time, this can progress to a condition called lipo-lymphedema — where both fat disorder and lymphatic dysfunction are present simultaneously.
Joint instability → muscle exhaustion → sluggish lymph flow → fluid accumulation → increased tissue pressure → worsening symptoms
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome — heart rate spikes upon standing, caused by autonomic dysfunction. Present in an estimated 50-80% of hEDS patients.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome — inappropriate immune responses, random allergic-type reactions, medication sensitivities. Increasingly recognized as part of the EDS-POTS triad.
Research shows significantly elevated rates of hypermobility and EDS in autistic individuals. Sensory processing differences, chronic pain, and autonomic dysfunction often overlap.
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction affecting heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature regulation, and stress response — a throughline connecting many of these conditions.
Debilitating fatigue that doesn't resolve with rest. Closely linked to lymphatic stagnation, nervous system dysregulation, and immune dysfunction in connective tissue disorders.
Collagen lines your entire digestive tract. When it's compromised, motility issues, food intolerances, and chronic GI symptoms follow — often misdiagnosed as standalone IBS.
Hashimoto's, lupus, Sjögren's, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions frequently overlap with EDS and connective tissue disorders. Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation compound lymphatic and nervous system dysfunction.
For people living with hypermobility, lymphedema, or lipedema, Manual Lymphatic Drainage isn't a spa luxury — it's a clinical necessity. The Vodder Method uses precise, rhythmic movements with less than 9 ounces of pressure, specifically designed to work with — not against — fragile connective tissue. MLD is the only manual technique specifically designed to redirect lymphatic fluid through your body's natural drainage pathways.
Standard massage techniques can actually make things worse for hypermobile bodies: deep tissue work risks destabilizing joints and pushing fluid deeper into tissues rather than toward drainage points. EDS skin is thinner, bruises more easily, and requires a fundamentally different approach.
Your lymph vessels can't move fluid efficiently on their own when the collagen supporting them is structurally compromised. MLD provides the external assistance your lymphatic system needs.
When your muscles are exhausted from stabilizing hypermobile joints, lymph flow stalls. MLD manually moves the fluid your fatigued muscles can no longer push.
Consistent MLD can help prevent lipedema from progressing to lipo-lymphedema and reduce the severity of existing lymphatic dysfunction.
Your lymphatic system is central to your immune response. Stagnant lymph means reduced immune surveillance — especially critical for those with MCAS or frequent infections.
Let's clear something up: Manual Lymphatic Drainage is not a detox. Your body is already detoxing — constantly. Your liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system are filtering and processing waste every second of every day. That's not something you need to kickstart with a juice cleanse or a wrap. The word "detox" implies your body has stopped doing its job and needs a reset. It hasn't stopped. But in people with connective tissue disorders, it is struggling to keep up.
Your liver is your detoxifier — it breaks down toxins, metabolizes waste, and processes everything your blood carries to it. Your lymphatic system is your drainage and immune network — it moves fluid, filters pathogens, and transports waste to where your liver and kidneys can process it. They work together, but they're not the same thing. When someone says MLD "detoxes" you, what's actually happening is that MLD is moving stagnant lymphatic fluid through the correct drainage pathways so your body's own filtration systems can do their jobs more efficiently.
That's the key difference between what a trained therapist does and what you can do on your own. Saunas, dry brushing, compression, movement — these all help. They increase blood flow, stimulate superficial lymphatic movement, and support your body's natural processes. But they don't direct fluid through specific anatomical pathways. A therapist trained in the Vodder Method knows exactly where your lymph nodes are, which direction the fluid needs to move, and in what order to open the pathways so the drainage actually works. You always open the terminus first — the endpoint — before working distally. If you skip that step, you're pushing fluid toward a closed door.
Increases blood flow and can promote superficial lymphatic movement through heat. Helps loosen connective tissue and calm the nervous system. A great complement to MLD — but it's not directing fluid through drainage pathways. It's creating favorable conditions for your body to work better.
Stimulates the skin and superficial lymphatic vessels. Can support circulation and feels great. But it's surface-level — it doesn't open deeper lymphatic pathways or address fluid that's already pooled in the tissues. Think of it as maintenance between sessions, not treatment.
Compression supports venous and lymphatic return — especially useful for people with POTS or lower-limb swelling. Wraps can temporarily reduce swelling. But without directing the fluid to the right nodes first, you're compressing fluid that has nowhere to go.
Natural sunlight supports vitamin D production, which plays a role in immune function and inflammation regulation. Being outdoors and moving — even walking — combines gentle muscle contraction (your lymphatic pump) with fresh air and light exposure. It's one of the most underrated things you can do for your lymphatic system. It's not a treatment, but it's a daily habit that genuinely helps.
All of these support your lymphatic system. None of them replace what a trained therapist does with their hands.
One more thing: don't expect to feel a dramatic difference after your first MLD session. You might. Some people notice their legs feel lighter or the puffiness in their face goes down. But for many people — especially those who've had chronic lymphatic stagnation for years — it takes consistent, repeated sessions to really get things moving again. Your lymphatic system didn't become sluggish overnight, and it won't fully respond after one treatment. Think of the first few sessions as opening roads that have been closed for a long time. The traffic doesn't flow immediately. But with regular care, it starts to move — and eventually, you'll notice what your body feels like when it's actually draining properly. Most people don't even remember what that baseline feels like until they get there.
If this resonates with your experience, you deserve care that understands the full picture.
Book a Session New Client IntakeWhether you're seeking relief from chronic pain, recovery from surgery, or simply a space to reset your nervous system — I'm here for you.
Questions before booking? Reach out — I'd love to talk.
Monday & Wednesday
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday & Friday
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
San Clemente, California
Private location shared upon booking
A consultation before your first session is always welcome
