Chris has been practicing sports oriented deep tissue massage therapy combined with Active Release Technique (ART) for over 18 years.   With further interest in the ability to get to the root of the problem on more complex issues, he is also a graduate of University of Western States with a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Masters of Sports Medicine, which strengthened his skills in anatomy, biomechanics, and assessment.

Chris strongly believes in collaborative and multidisciplinary care.  Through his career Chris has worked in a variety of multidisciplinary sports and performance clinics including Nike World Headquarters and has worked at elite level events with World Surf League and Nike Track and Field for over a decade.

Chris’s primary skill is precise motion based tissue work.  In treatments, he searches for areas of tightness, weakness, or dysfunction through evaluating motion, posture, and soft tissue integrity, then strives to make a direct change in the muscle tissue.  Furthermore, an understanding of human biomechanics and common compensatory patterns can act as a road map to help prioritize which areas to treat.  Tight spots are not always painful.  Weak/lengthened areas are likely to be painful, and will likely respond better to strengthening/activation.  And ideally we are looking to not only get rid of pain but also optimize movement or function.  Efficient movement should reduce pain.  

A combination of precise contact with specific body movements allow a trained hand to differentiate between muscle layers that are gliding freely vs tangled together.  This diagnostic ability typically takes some time and practice to develop, and can help identify the root cause of the patient’s issue, as the spot that is hurting is not always the root cause of the problem.  In a bodywork session, it is not uncommon to hear “I didn’t realize I was tight there,”  and the patient may leave with a better understanding of where the pain is coming from and where to focus on their own to continue making functional improvements.  

An active lifestyle including various forms of training has put his academic knowledge of sports injuries, healing, and recovery into practice through firsthand experience.  This has proven to be a valuable asset in helping others recover from pain and injury.  

Services Offered:

• Active Release Technique (ART)

• Dry Needling

• Deep Tissue Massage

• Joint Mobilizations

• Cupping

• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

  
  

Jordan Hasay:  

Elite Distance Runner

"I've had the honor of working with Chris for the past several months. Chris is extremely intuitive and I never have to cue him on pressure or tight spots, he knows the body so well! The work I've received from him has helped my legs to recover from many miles of hard training while prepping for the Chicago marathon in October 2018. During this time I've been recovering from a stress fracture in my left foot. Chris has been integral in getting me back to training and helping the muscles and tissues around the injury recover. He also showed me some foot and hip exercises and how to tape my arch. I highly recommend Chris to anyone, whether a serious athlete or a person looking for general bodywork or pain management. Chris has been pleasant, easy to work with, and flexible with scheduling."

Michael Dunphy:

Pro Surfer

“Chris is the man! I first had the honor to work with him at the US Open of Surfing, and his knowledge of the body was apparent right away. His ability to work with and around all the tight spots through my hamstrings, quads, and hips made a world of difference and was able to get me up to speed and competing better with just a few visits. Anytime we are in the same area, I always make time to work with Chris. Not only a very effective worker, but a humble, awesome guy to be around!”