What happens when a 10 pound baby gets stuck during birth? 

In my case, it resulted in the doctor tearing most of the nerves in my right shoulder in the process of pulling me out. Although I underwent a massive nerve re-graph surgery at only four months old to help bring my arm somewhat back "online," I was still left with limited mobility and tightness.

Growing up, I went through the standard Western medicine system of occupational therapy and constant doctor check ups. I felt like a broken product on a conveyor belt. Slowly moving from person to person on an endless loop, continually rubber stamped as defective.

"Don't expect to play any sports," one doctor told me.

"This is never going to get any better."

"Manage it as best you can, but this is permanent and likely going to get worse as you get older."

(Yup, all real things that were said to me.)

I felt angry and frustrated that someone else apparently got to decide that I was capable of. I had no reason not to believe these people of authority, however. The older I got, the deeper I harbored this inner feeling of hopelessness.

So I disconnected with my body. I ignored the tightness and let everything I tried in life go through the filter of "you probably can't do that because of your arm." I let myself live in a small, protected box.

Then my life changed in the foothills of Colorado...

In the summer of 2010, I packed up all my belongings and left the hills of Cincinnati for the mountains of Colorado. By fateful, beautiful chance, I met an incredible fascia release bodyworker in Boulder and that powerful work took me by complete surprise.

I saw more improvement in the feel and function of my arm in 3 months of this fascia release work than I had in 15 years of traditional treatments! It was unlike any work I'd ever done (and I'd tried EVERYTHING). I suddenly questioned everything I had believed and been told about "my condition." 

I felt the tightness finally begin to release. Muscles started firing for the first time. I experienced emotional releases as I processed the pain and grief of my surgery and feeling so trapped for so long.

I finally felt relief. Hope. FREEDOM.

This experience catapulted me into learning everything I could about fascia, understanding its messages, and how to change and restore it. I became certified in multiple types of bodywork and began formulating my own approach that has since become The Fascia Remedy.

In the past 12 years of my practice, I've seen amazing and life-altering results in my clients. I've also been able to solve my own bouts of knee pain, low back pain, and neck pain in a matter of days. While my journey with my arm is still in its process, my life has dramatically changed. I'm now a rock climber and mountaineer, taking on challenges and adventures I never would’ve believed I could do before. It feels incredible to take control of my own quality of life, instead of defining it by my limitations.

I'm so grateful I've been able to share this method with so many and give them their lives back.

Here's what I've learned:

• The medical system does not have all the answers when it comes to pain (in fact, I believe the standard approaches are very often counterproductive).

• Addressing fascia in this unique way is the key to finding the root cause of pain, quickly interrupting compensation patterns, and creating lasting change. Focusing on one joint, a few muscles, or the point of pain instead of the fascial system is like renovating a room in your house when the foundation has collapsed. 

• Too many of us are told to manage pain that's completely solvable! If we shift our focus to addressing the root source instead of covering symptoms, we can stop “managing” pain and start eliminating it.

• Learning to listen to your body and decode its messages can remove your fear of pain and unlock your power to heal.

• Learning how to release fascia and address pain can be simple. With the right tools and tactics, we are capable of taking back our power and healing ourselves.