Gentle Physical Therapy
That Works
Open Hours
Available by appointment only, Monday – Friday.
Specializing in Fascial Counterstrain and the Feldenkrais Method Physical Therapy in Gig Harbor, WA
Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is an innovative system of soft tissue mobilization. Originally developed by Lawrence Jones DO and called Strain/Counterstrain, it has been further developed by Brian Tuckey PT, OCS, JSCCI and now encompasses all the systems in the body. Fascial Counterstrain uses an in depth knowledge of anatomy to put problematic tissue in a shortened and relaxed state, allowing it to “get the message” it no longer has to be tight or knotted. It can help poor circulation throughout the body, swelling, pain, stiffness, and many more problems that stem from the complex connections throughout the body. People typically are very impressed with how gentle and effective Fascial Counterstrain is.
The Feldenkrais Method is a technique devised by Israeli Moshé Feldenkrais during the mid-20th century. The method helps to reorganize connections between the brain and body. It looks at the body as a whole, and how the whole body is involved even for one area of pain. It does this either by a gentle hands on session-called Functional Integration, or by guiding you through a series of movements that build on each other- called Awareness Through Movement.
On a more practical level, the Feldenkrais Method helps people discover new options for easier, better feeling movement. It helps at any level, whether you have found everyday mobility- like getting up from a chair or the floor- has become difficult, or you have pain, or you would like to “fine tune” for athletics or performing arts. Because I focus on making actual everyday movements easier, Awareness Through Movement lessons are the type of “exercises” I will teach you.
I look at these two approaches as enhancing each other: Fascial Counterstrain quickly and effectively resolves problems, and Feldenkrais helps you learn how to keep it comfortable.
Individualized Pain Relief
Improved Flexibility
Functional Integration™
Awareness Through Movement™
Our Philosophy
The mission of Grace Physical Therapy is to provide a highly skilled combination of effective treatments not easily found in the realm of Physical Therapy clinics. We aim to help those who have not had satisfactory results at other clinics. We want to improve the impression and experience people have of Physical Therapy.
Our vision is to expand knowledge of Counterstrain and Feldenkrais as treatment modalities and use them to treat people who have need of better results from Physical Therapy.
My Story
I have been a Physical Therapist since 1992. Before that I was working concurrently as a Research Chemist for Southwest Medical School in Dallas Texas and as a Massage Therapist. While getting my Chemistry degree, I had also started satisfying a long standing desire to become a ballet dancer- which I did as a dedicated amateur. After making the Pacific Northwest my home in 1987, I realized being a Chemist was not my passion. I enjoyed massage therapy, but I wanted to know more. Always interested in medicine, I chose Physical Therapy because it also blended with my love of dance and movement.
Things started shifting when after 18 years as a PT, I started to feel frustrated with the limited success I was getting with standard Physical Therapy. For fun, I enrolled in a certification course that applies Physical Therapy to dogs. While doing the clinical work for Canine Rehabilitation, I was introduced to Feldenkrais and was impressed with how gentle yet effective it was on humans and dogs alike. I started Feldenkrais training, which is 8 weeks a year for 4 years, in 2011. Halfway through that I was introduced to Counterstrain and was amazed at how effective it was- dramatically shortening recovery time and treating some conditions that I had not had good success with in the past. I knew I had to learn that skill!
Chemistry may not have been my passion, but Physical Therapy is. Learning Counterstrain and Feldenkrais has completely overhauled my career and has allowed me to get the kind of results for my patients that truly makes a difference for them. This is what motivates me to go to work each day. It became obvious that if I wanted to do my best for people, I needed to open my own clinic and not be constrained by demands to double book people or to follow an assembly line approach. Now I have a clinic that feels good to be in and that all my life experiences contribute to.
3 Ways Grace Physical Therapy Helps You Feel Better:
1. A Hands-On Approach – we have an emphasis on targeted manual therapy, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all-approach.
2. We Don’t Give Up On You – no matter how long or challenging your road to recovery is, we are with you every step of the way.
3. Enjoyable and peaceful atmosphere – so you can be at ease while being worked on.
Testimonials
How to Get Started
1. Book an appointment
by calling 253-313-5102.
2. Come in for an evaluation.
3. We work together on your goals.
