All Our Licensed Therapists perform the distinctive technique, Muscle Release Therapy®, created by Dennis Gibbons LMT. In early 2007, MRTh® was accepted by the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) as a trademarked modality. MRTh® holds credibility comparable to Rolfing®, Trager® Approach, and Feldenkrais Method®. Our team at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center is proud of this distinction.

Shortly after I started practicing massage therapy, I discovered that many of the same problems that individuals came to me with, returned after a period of time. When working with Rudolph Nureyev I developed much of his philosophy: he stated that he would work to a specific audience when dancing and not so much to the music and choreography. I took that philosophy and interpreted it to massage therapy. No longer would I just treat the symptom, as most Western healing arts do, but would treat the individual. The one true constant is the posture of the human body and its ability to move within the confines of gravity. Anytime there is trauma, the body will compensate or counterbalance the effects of the trauma. This trauma may be physical and/or emotional, but it is this counterbalancing, and how the body adapts to it, that is evaluated and treated at my Wellness Center.

Working within the confines of the State of Ohio Medical Board scope of practice, I am able to incorporate specific techniques to bring about a balance to the posture. It is this method of therapeutic massage that is practiced at CVWC.

The removal of abnormal tension to the specific soft tissue that is altered by the adaptation that takes place in the human body to allow movement, even though incorrect, is what makes this process different. I have taught this technique to the associates that practice with me at CVWC and this philosophy is incorporated in all of our therapy sessions. This process of release, or relaxation, of the soft tissue into its proper balance, encourages movement with less discomfort.

How does this technique work? The massage therapist facilitates or encourages the tissue to relax into a neutral position so that it will respond properly to the next demand it receives for movement. By following the proper protocol the massage therapist is able to encourage and provide a path for balancing the posture. This pathway is what allows the treatment to move in a meaningful pattern. The pattern for each individual is stored in the brain’s memory and only needs to be accessed. The massage therapist then incorporates one of many different modalities to bring about the specific release or relaxation necessary.

The Gibbons Method of Soft Tissue Posture Analysis© will often find many old injuries and bring about a more complete therapy session.