An understanding of human biomechanics and common compensatory patterns can act as a road map to help prioritize which areas to treat.  Focusing only on areas of pain is generally not a wise long term treatment approach.  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 is a key part of reducing pain long term.  

Appointments are catered to the individual’s goals and needs.  A typical appointment consists of a quick motion screen or movement assessment and palpation/touch to assess motion and quality of muscle tissue.  A blend of precise motion-based bodywork techniques such as ART (active release technique) to restore range of motion or alleviate areas of tightness,  dry needling, muscle activation techniques, functional exercise recommendations, and/or joint mobilizations may also be incorporated into the treatment.  

Active Release Technique (ART) is a style of bodywork that is foundational in my treatments.  It can be considered a massage technique, but stands out as unique or advanced because it involves pinning down a specific muscle when it is in a shortened position and then moving the patient’s body in a particular way to lengthen and generate tension in that area.  

 While shortening and lengthening the muscle is conceptually simple, a detailed knowledge of anatomy and a well trained hand is necessary to palpate and appropriately apply the ideal amount of depth and pressure to generate a therapeutic amount of tension on smaller muscles and deeper structures on the body.   

The movement is also significant as it allows us to work with the body’s nervous system.  Precise motion based bodywork can be applied active (the patient moving) or passive (the therapist moving the patient). If you are taking the body through a range of motion while treating, the nervous system is more likely to feel safe or stable accessing that new range of motion for longer after the treatment compared to a passive style of bodywork.  

 Combining 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, I will often hear “oh, I didn’t realize I was tight there,”  and it is not uncommon for the patient to leave with a better understanding of where the pain is coming from and what to stretch or strengthen on their own to continue making functional improvements.  

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!”