Community Highlights: Meet Noel Van Wagner of West Valley Injury Massage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noel Van Wagner.

Hi Noel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a massage therapist for over 30 years. There were seasons where I stepped away – sometimes from burn out or for exploration – but somehow, I always found my way back. In 2015, I took a neuromuscular therapy certification course at the National Holistic Institute in Studio City, and that experience completely changed the trajectory of my work. From there, I moved into a elite spas like The Four Seasons and began building a private clientele that included athletes, performers, and professionals who were serious about their health.
Toward the end of the pandemic, I was working at a high-end boutique spa when I lost my job for being outspoken about certain operational procedures. That moment pushed me to reevaluate everything. I invested in a specialized business coaching program for massage therapists which turned out to be expensive and extremely helpful. It also included a hypnosis certification, and I figured, “Why not get my moneys worth?”
That decision turned out to be another major turning point. It opened up a whole new world for me – of consciousness, neuroscience, and epigenetics – and how they all intersect with pain and healing. Today I run a practice that’s rooted both the physical and the energetic. One foot in the practical world and one foot in the etheric. I honor free will: if a client wants to explore the more “wu-wu” path, I’m right there with them, grounded and pragmatic. And if they don’t, that’s fine too I’ll treat the pain they came in with.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road—but a meaningful one. Beyond the obvious challenges like financial ups and downs, I’ve dealt with the emotional weight that can come from losing a job, clients, and colleagues (essentially my immediate community). That sudden isolation sharply touches on one’s sense of self-worth. Being fired—especially for speaking up—can shake your confidence to the ground, even when you know you were standing in integrity.
There have also been deeper, internal struggles. Limiting beliefs, for one—about money, worthiness, visibility. Keeping the books balanced has been a dance: too much space and you worry, too much overflow and you burn out. Learning to trust in God AND myself has been a huge lesson. Pricing is another ongoing lesson, especially in a market that’s oversaturated with massage therapists at every level of experience.
One of the more complicated dynamics I’ve faced is working alongside practitioners with little or no formal training. I’m highly specialized in pain relief, which carries a different level of expectation. When someone comes to me in pain, they’re often desperate, and they’re putting a lot of trust in my hands. If that pain doesn’t resolve immediately, it can feel personal—like I’ve let them down. That’s a unique emotional burden that many practitioners choose not to engage with – and I don’t blame them. Learning to carry that disappointment with compassion—but not self-blame—has been one of the biggest growth initiations of all.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about West Valley Injury Massage?
The most important thing I want people to know is that when they come into my office, I’m going to do everything I can to get them out of pain—or reduce it significantly—on their very first visit. My approach is purpose-driven, not based on creating dependency. I believe in delivering real results, not just repeat appointments. Besides, once people feel better, they get back to living their lives and doing what they love. It’s almost inevitable that they’ll get injured again, and be back on the table with an amazing/ amusing story to tell.

When people ask me what I do, I usually say: “whatever it takes.” There’s no one-size-fits-all protocol—every person is different, and so is every session. I specialize in solving problems, and I have a lot of tools to work with: neuromuscular therapy, IASTM, assisted stretching, red light therapy, and H-Wave therapy. I use whatever combination is needed to help people get out of pain and back into motion.

As a certified hypnotherapist, I can help people manage their stress, up level athletic performance, feel more confident, and release limiting beliefs – some of which revolve around pain.

What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in creating dependency; I believe in creating results.

What I’m most proud of? It’s that look people get when the pain’s gone—like I just performed some kind of sorcery.
I’ve had people call me a wizard and even witch. They’re half-joking… but also kind of serious. There’s this mix of relief and disbelief- like, “how did you just do that?” It’s always funny—but it’s also incredibly meaningful to me. Helping people feel better is everything.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me?
Honestly, I think I’ve already said it—helping people feel better, move better, and maybe even smile in the process. It’s what keeps me going, and it’s my mission – to ease pain and suffering in the world – any way I can.

Pricing:

• Injury/ Sports 60 mins $150
• Injury/ Sports 90 mins $195
• H-Wave (Triage) 30 mins $50
• H-Wave (Therapeutic) 60 mins $100
• Hypnosis consult 30 mins free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.westvalleyinjurymassage.com
• Instagram: @westvalleyinjurymassage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WestValleyInjuryMassage
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/west-valley-injury-massage-woodland-hills?osq=west+valley+injury+massage

Image Credits
These images were taken by friends to help me get started. As a one-man operation, it can be challenging to find the time and resources for more professional photos.