He's been called a miracle worker by some. A magician by others. Here at Psoas, we call him Michael T. The newest addition to the Psoas team, Michael has not only brought with him his upbeat personality, but also his nearly decade's worth of experience and tremendous technique to the massage table. An active person, Michael spent his youth in Southern California, swimming, body surfing and racing sailboats and now enjoys spending his days walking and hiking in the hills of Southern Marin where he currently resides. When asked about his best massage therapy memory to date, he enthusiastically said, "Starting work at Psoas!"

 Well Michael, we're excited to have you here too!

Q. What are you reading?

I could make something up to impress you, but I haven't finished a novel in several months. The last one being The Life of Pi, which I loved. I try to keep up with my New Yorker magazine subscription, which I also love. Professionally, I'm deeply into Stretching Anatomy by Nelson & Kokkonen, a book all our clients should read and use!

Q. What got you into therapy?

I was dying of colon cancer; my doctors had rated my chances for survival around 30%. My lab reports were not looking good. I was trying hard not to get depressed about it. A wonderful friend gave me several sessions of bodywork as a present, and my response to it was phenomena--I began to heal. I decided then and there that this would be my new life.

Q. What technique/s do you use and why?

My approach to almost any problem is through the lens of NeuroKinetic Therapy, or NKT. NKT is a neuromuscular modality, meaning that the work is about removing obstacles to the proper engagement of muscles by working along the neural pathways between the muscles and the brain. Just massaging the tight muscle until it relaxes doesn't address the underlying compensation patterns that created the problem in the first place, so the pain and dysfunction usually return shortly. Using the NKT protocol, though, muscles are released and reconnected in a way that eliminates compensation patterns and replaces them with natural movement abilities. It's a highly interactive way of working, with muscle testing and deep focused massage being the primary tools of treatment.

Q. What are NKT's benefits?

The beneficial effects of the work sometimes surprise even me. Almost without exception, people who are suffering from acute pain and movement restrictions experience immediate relief. And it's lasting relief. That's why I like NKT so much!

Q. What's your goal with a client? What do you want to achieve?

I want them to be able to move with ease and without pain.

Q. What type of person or types of people would your style suit best?

It's especially satisfying for people who have tried chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, yoga, etc. to treat their problems, and who have experienced some relief, sometimes significant, but who never quite get that final resolution they're seeking. NKT is so often the missing piece.

Specifically, I like to say my specialties are the neck and the hip. People with whiplash, limited rotation, constant pain, movement limitations in the neck; also people with sciatica; those who have difficulty walking or running; people with a lack of hip flexion; plantar fasciitis; or those with painful calves, hamstrings, and IT bands.

Q. What's your favorite body part?

This is sort of shop talk, I guess, but I'm going to interpret "favorite" as meaning most challenging. It's in the neck and upper shoulder, the "levator scapula" muscle, which can often dominate things there in a bad sense, and which can easily be made worse with the best of therapists' intentions! I have learned a secret way to deal with it, though! 

Q. What do you do when you're not loosening knots and reactivating muscles?

Walk and hike. I live in the hills of southern Marin, providing endless opportunities. I also love to spend time at the beach. Our home is sited high up in the hills, with decks so it's a perfect perch for birds, from small seed-eaters and hummingbirds to crows, ravens, even the occasional hawk. I've become an aficionado. I really enjoy feeding and watching them right up close. I also garden a lot, both outdoors and indoors. I work out regularly and STRETCH every day. I also hang upside down every day to traction my spine, which has led to incredible health benefits. It's kind of addictive, hanging there like a bat.

Q. What's one piece of advice you would give people to stay loose, limber and healthier.

Stretch! Make it a part of your daily regimen, like brushing your teeth. For good health, it's not an option--it's a necessity, especially as we age.

Q. Knowing what you know now regarding massage therapy, if you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

My only regret is that I didn't begin this profession much earlier in my life. It is unending in both its satisfactions and its challenges.

Q. Any advice for staying calm and relaxed during the holidays?

Breathe, deeply and slowly.