Our Practice

MICHELLE ENGELHART, LMT – Michigan Licensed Massage Therapist

Michelle Engelhart - Certified Fascial Stretch Practitioner (CFSP)

What is Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Enter Fascial Stretch Therapy (or FST), a type of stretching that targets not only the muscles, but the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and joints. FST also targets the entire joint and joint capsule, using traction to remove restrictions from movement and to stimulate lubrication. A therapist will gently pull and move the arms, legs, spine, and neck in a smooth motion through varying planes of movement. There is no pain, not even discomfort. Instead, the gentle movement is stimulating and relaxing at the same time.

The premises of FST

The following are the main premises upon which FST is based and proven based on over 50 years of practice-based evidence on clients and patients, as well as on sound science:

The nervous system
Passive therapy or treatments have poor outcomes without re-educating the brain and the rest of the nervous system. FST is one of the most active therapies and training systems performed on a therapy or training table. Then it is continued off the table in functional positions and movements. The result is immediate nervous system re-education and integration to eliminate poor movement patterns and help maintain the gains made in that session. Clinical evidence of pain elimination and reduction, improved muscle function and other objective signs provide support for our general premise that FST rapidly improves function of the nervous system.

The connective tissue system (aka ‘fascia’)
Ignored by medical, therapy and fitness professionals for generations, connective tissue (or fascia) was thought of as only a binding or packing material of the body. Researchers have shown that it is full of nerve endings that may provide the majority of our sensori-mechanoreceptors in the body. It is one of the main parts of our proprioceptive system outside our eyes and inner ears. In other words, our fascia can be thought of as a major extension and even an enhancement of what has been traditionally called our nervous system. Seeing a fast, permanent change in postural and dynamic movement patterns from FST lends strong support to our premise that FST helps improve or correct posture, gait, aberrant movement patterns and much more. 

The circulatory system
Lymph and blood flow through fascia; axoplasm, spinal fluid and blood flow through our nervous system. As noted above, our nervous system is surrounded by fascia. Therefore our premise is that FST has helped nerve function from as simple as increasing muscle activation to helping diseases like multiple sclerosis because FST positively affects the circulation of our neuro-myofascia. Among other things observed in our clients and patients, increased urination and decreased swelling provided consistent, regular evidence of these results.

Biotensegrity and the epidemic of compression
Tensegrity was a term that Buckminster Fuller coined to describe his invention of structures like the geodesic dome that had structural members of tension and compression in a state of dynamic equilibrium and balance. Steven Levin, MD coined the term 'biotensegrity' which progresses Fuller's concepts even further as it relates to the human body. Researchers like Donald Ingber, MD, PhD have shown that our cells are biotensegrity structures not only in form but also in function. That is, forces from within and without the cell influence physiology.

It has been our observation in our clinic that there appears to be an “epidemic” of compression imbalances seen in a great majority of clients. Our premise is that FST is first and foremost manual decompression of soft tissue and joints with slow, gentle traction stretching of fascia. Our clinical observation has been elimination of pain, return of strength that was diminished, vastly increased mobility, flexibility and range of motion. Surgeries for things like hip replacement have been delayed or cancelled. Therefore another FST premise is most common orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions like non-specific low back pain, hip and shoulder impingement, moderate DJD/DDD and much more respond favorably to FST as a result of global full body and local region decompression combined with local correction of the hyper/hypomobile conundrum of both joints and soft tissue fascial continuities.

Client trust and hope
Emotional and mental healing rounds out the response when hope for the client is restored. As a result of seeing how clients have positively responded emotionally, mentally and even spiritually, another premise we hold is that FST is a complete healing system for many who have been in chronic pain.

Michelle Engelhart – Certified Laser Therapist

What is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is a non-invasive use of light energy that generates a photo chemical response in damaged tissue.  Deep tissue laser therapy alleviates pain, shortens the inflammatory cycle and accelerates recovery from acute/chronic conditions.  Post surgical healing is expedited with the use of laser therapy.  The light energy, delivered in joules, works with the body on a cellular level and targets only damaged cells and tissues.  This process triggers the release of a chemical within the cell structure called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).  The production of ATP allows for the healing process to begin within the body on a cellular level.

Treatment Information:

Your first visit is completely complimentary.  One of our certified laser therapists will review your medical history, evaluate your condition and administer the appropriate dose of laser therapy to achieve optimal results. Depending on the area(s) being treated, sessions range from 15-45 minutes. Laser therapy is a cumulative process and the number of subsequent treatments required is unique to each patient and their condition. We will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that fits your schedule and is affordable.

Is Laser Therapy Safe?

This evidence based and scientifically proven modality has been alleviating pain associated with inflammation for over 20 years.  Cleared by the FDA in 2003, Class IV lasers have become a safe and reliable modality that allows patients to have alternatives to prescription drugs, injections and surgical procedures.  Laser therapy technology has been recently endorsed by professional organizations such as APTA, WHO and IASP. 

** Treatments available at the Creative Healing Healing Massage & Body Work Offices in collaboration with Bye Bye Pain Mobile Lasers Group.