Orthopedic Manual Therapy Wexford – Collective Balance

Blog

  • WOW … ANOTHER INCREDIBLE YEAR!

    WOW … ANOTHER INCREDIBLE YEAR!  One year ago, I knew that I needed to find a new location for my office and I feared having to compromise on my needs and wishes.  I drove up and down Route 19 checking out various types of office settings, from deserted shared office space to house basements converted into commercial space, to broom closets. After much frustration and thoughtful prayer, the perfect location landed in my lap … 120 Wexford Bayne Road.  I happened upon the ‘for lease’ sign, called the number, and the conversation began.  The property was changing tenants and she recognized that she didn’t need about 300 square feet of the building, so she was looking to sublease the space.  Perfect amount of space for me!  I came on the scene at the opportune time to customize my space to suite my vision for the expansion of my orthopedic manual therapy practice.  The process took longer than all parties expected, but when it was complete in July, the transformation was absolutely beautiful.  I am so grateful to have a permanent home to share Collective Balance with all of you.

     

    As the year began and our lives gradually returned to a new normal, I was ready to continue my education.  Back in 2019, I completed advanced training and earned a graduate certificate in Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy (MAT) with Erik Dalton.  I knew that his lead instructor, Paul Kelly, had developed a perfect segway from MAT into PhysioKinetix Training (PKT).   This series of restorative and functional techniques are aimed at making your mind and body better able to align, balance, and re-educate the neuromuscular system to create long-lasting, life changing effects.

     

    Over the course of this past year, I traveled multiple times to Knoxville, TN to learn the PKT system and have earned the Level 1: Mobility Certification (PKT1).  As I began to share this knowledge with all of you and incorporate it into our sessions, we began to notice the strengthening of our bodies and the melting away of pain.  It’s inspiring to see the transformation of how these simple corrective exercises can bring about so much healing!  I am grateful for the opportunity to share this knowledge with all of you. 

     

    THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME ON THIS JOUNEY!  I truly found a joy that I can’t lose!  I look forward to this upcoming year as we continue to collectively balance your body and that of your friends and family!  May the peace of Our Lord be with you!

     

  • Another step toward pain free living

    Within my orthopedic manual therapy practice, I have found that when we become aware of and take responsibility for how we carry our bodies, we begin to heal naturally and our pain melts away.  The teachings of Paul Kelly resonate with me because of his focus on postural awareness and the brain-body connection.

     

    My first exposure to Paul Kelly was in 2018. I was impressed with the grace and humility with which he taught.  He took the time to help us understand the proper functioning of these dynamic bodies with which we work.  He influenced me in such a way that when he launched PhysioKinetix (PKT), I knew this would become a game-changer in my practice.  I dove into the PKT training with everything from livestream, to home study, to multiple in-person trainings. 

     

    As I incorporate these Mobility and Stability techniques into every client session, my clients enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to learn new ways of healing their bodies.  They accept responsibility that this is a team effort, as I am here to assist them, coach them, and encourage them into retraining their bodies so that they may live a pain-free lifestyle. 

     

    The PKT techniques, which are fun and interactive, can easily be incorporated into treatment time while on the therapy table or taught and practiced at the end of a session while on the floor.   My clients and I watch a short video of Paul instructing us on the technique.  We practice it and adjust based on the client’s functional ability.

     

    Within a few sessions, clients notice the diminishing of numbness and tingling, faster recovery from injuries, and the elimination of pain.  They walk more upright, feel increased confidence in their balance, and have the ability to run the extra mile.  I love seeing the results of when we give our bodies what they need, they heal themselves naturally.

     

    I am proud to announce that, I have not only completed the education and training to earn the PKT Level 1 Mobility certification, but I am also the only practitioner in the Pittsburgh area with this unique skillset.

     

    I am grateful for the teachings of Paul Kelly for making these trainings (whether live or online) a true success to those of us who want to further our professional development.

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic manual therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Wexford, McCandless, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Stepping out of my comfort zone

    It’s official!  I have my own place!

     

    When I began my massage therapy career in 2009, I never would have imagined that I would some day be in business for myself.  I had recently left a 12 year accounting career, not knowing if I would have to return to the corporate lifestyle.  Looking back throughout this time of problem solving while helping people to feel better, I hadn’t taken the time to see my future self.  Instead, I focused on continuing my education in hopes that I would have “that one tool” needed to help just “one more person” with their wellness journey.

     

    I truly have accomplished so much, and I am extremely grateful for each opportunity. 

     

    My career began in a busy four chiropractor office where I worked beside great mentors, who encouraged my God-given gift of helping people.  After 9 amazing years in that environment, I felt the call to seek a new opportunity.

     

    This new opportunity led me to yet another chiropractic setting, however, the difference was that I now had a taste of what my practice could be like while making my own decisions.  I loved this new-found freedom of working with my clients the way that I deemed necessary to enhance their wellness journey.  I worked well with this young chiropractic couple referring clients back and forth for 3 years. 

     

    However, the blessing in disguise arrived when their office move didn’t accommodate my ever growing need for additional space.  The time had officially arrived for me to grow up, step out of my comfort zone, and find new office space to call home. 

     

    The search took several months to find a professional space that offered a proper reception area for client conversations, spacious treatment room for my therapy table and floor space for training clients.  My professional image had grown to the point where I didn’t want to compromise on location or style of space.  When this new space presented itself, I melted in awe, as I knew that this would become the official step I hadn’t realized that I desired … the step of becoming a solo-preneur!

     

    I feel blessed that, during the construction process, I was permitted to customize my space to suite my vision for this new business of mine.  The move took place a few months ago, and now that I’ve been working in the new space, I absolutely love that the style reflects who I am as a professional as well as a person.

     

    I welcome the opportunity to share the space where Collective Balance can flourish for years to come.

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic manual therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Wexford, McCandless, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

     

  • Graded Exposure

    To help change the brain’s mind about pain through touch, we progressively introduce movements into the painful barrier in a way that makes them less painful.

     

    HOW DOES IT WORK?

     

    📍 Contract-relax techniques can make the nervous system less threatened by the movement … even if muscles aren’t permanently lengthening, trigger points aren’t being obliterated, fascia isn’t stretching, etc.

    📍 By doing this repeatedly, the nervous system will often start to disassociate the movement from the pain.

     

    Myoskeletal terminology credit @daltonmyoskeletal

     

    I have experienced the positive benefits of Graded Exposure multiple times with my clients.

     

    For example, when the client is side-lying as we work on tender lats & serratus, if they begin to move their arm (abduction & adduction) as I glide my forearm through the painful area, the discomfort begins to melt away.

     

    If you are ready to melt away the pain, contact me to discuss how we may work well as a team to heal your body naturally.

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Have you got a pain in your butt?

    If that pain in your butt is your kids or your spouse, I can’t help.

     

    Perhaps the pain is coming from your hamstrings, in which case, I’m up for the challenge!

     

    A recent client came to me with bilateral hip pain. It was becoming so intense that she felt weak walking down a flight of steps as if her knees were going to give out on her.

     

    As we investigated various hip pain culprits, we determined that her hamstrings and achilles were extraordinarily tight.

     

    The Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques that we utilized resulted in reduced hamstring spasm and improved achilles flexibility.

     

    The following day, she texted me “Walked down the steps today and did not even think about holding on. So that’s good” .

     

    It is such a blessing to share these simple pain free techniques with my clients and to show them ways in which they can maintain happy soft tissue.

     

    If you experience bilateral hip pain, reach out to me to discuss if we are a good fit working together.

     

    📸 credit Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel.

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Chest Pain

    Recently a client came to me who was experiencing chest pain. She’s quite in tune with her body, and she was able to safely rule out heart attack, so we proceeded with the session.

     

    She shared stories with me of a weekend trip to the lake with her young family … she on a paddle board and each girl on a sit-on-top kayak.

     

    As her little girls got tired, she strapped their kayaks to her paddle board, which made for an intense upper body workout.

     

    During the session, we utilized several Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques where she actively moved her arm in various directions as I worked through the Clavicular, Sternal, and Costal attachments of the Pectoralis Major.

     

    The next day, she texted me “Almost no chest pains today, thank you for the detailed pec work”.

     

    Have you paddled recently and wonder why your chest hurts so bad?

     

    I’d be happy to help! Reach out to me to discuss if we are a good fit working together.

     

    📸 credit Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

     

     

  • Pain in the Neck

    As you can see from this picture, the occipital muscles run in multiple directions allowing the head to have that bobble-head movement.

     

    Symptoms caused by neck dysfunction can express themselves as a combination of headaches, dizziness, pain, or limited range of motion.

     

    Several recent clients expressed similar symptoms, each one slightly different from the other.

     

    As I applied Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, I found many of these clients with dysfunction in the articulation between the Occiput and C1/Atlas or between the C1/Atlas and C2/Axis.

     


    Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques are gentle yet powerful in that as the client participates in the techniques, his/her brain is communicating with the body to smooth the joint articulation which encourages the muscles to release.

     

    If you are experiencing headache, dizziness, nausea, limited range of motion, neck pain, head pain, then reach out to me to discuss if we are a good fit to work together.

     

    📸 credit @daltonmyoskeletal

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Do You Experience Back Pain?

    I can help!  Here’s how …

     

    As the client slowly engages the pelvis through cat-cow movements, I apply controlled gliding strokes across the erector spinea group of muscles to release the spasm. MYOSKELETAL ALIGNMENT TECHNIQUES are effective because the client’s brain is communicating with the muscles telling them that it is now safe to release.

     

    Generally after several sessions, the client begins to notice pain that is less intense and less frequent.  As they develop healthy postural habits, the pain ultimately subsides.

     

    If you are ready to reduce low back pain and avoid unnecessary surgery, call me to discuss if we may be a good fit for working together.

     

    📸 Photo credit Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Rotator Cuff Injuries

    When clients tell me they have a torn Rotator Cuff, I ask them which one, and they give me a puzzled look.

     

    Did you know … the ROTATOR CUFF is made up of 4 muscles that not only stabilize the shoulder but also allow the shoulder to move in multiple directions.

     

    ✅ Supraspinatus
    ✅ Infraspinatus
    ✅ Teres Minor
    ✅ Subscapularis

     

    The cause of Rotator Cuff injuries can be anything from a history of aggressive sports and accidents to consistent improper posture.

     

    When people slouch with their shoulders rolled forward, the head of the Humerus (upper arm) gets sucked into the Glenoid Cavity (joint capsule), which limits range of motion.

     

    I test the client’s shoulder range of motion. If I find a “hard end feel” within the Joint Capsule, I know that we need to first focus on releasing the Humerus from the Glenoid Cavity before we can restore the injured muscles.

     

    Many times, these clients come to me after months of painful Physical Therapy sessions, where they had been instructed to strengthen the shoulder muscles.

     

    But if the Joint Capsule is not working smoothly and not in its proper position, the strength training will never work.

     

    The Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques that I incorporate are gentle as we encourage the joint to release. This may take several sessions before proper range of motion is restored.

     

    In addition to releasing the Joint Capsule and restoring the injured muscles, I educate the client on proper posture because if this isn’t addressed, then healing cannot take place and the injury will reoccur.

     

    I  working with shoulders and watching the release happen. Clients are ecstatic when they recognize these gentle techniques were more effective than the aggressive therapy they previously experienced.

     

    If you suffer from dysfunctional shoulders, then contact me to see if we are a good fit working together.

     

    📸 credit Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel.

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.

  • Golfer’s Elbow

    You love the sport, but why does your elbow hurt so badly after a round of golf?

     

    Generally the pain is felt in the Medial Epicondyle of the elbow where many of the flexor muscles of the wrist and hand attach.

     

    These flexor muscles are overworked, exhausted, and most likely pulling away from the attachment site of the Medial Epicondyle.

     

    This condition is commonly referred to as Golfer’s Elbow and can be treated with Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques.

     

    If you are experiencing pain in the elbow as a result of your passion for golf, then contact me to see if we are a good fit for working together.

     

    📸 credit Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel

     

    Denise Fahrion is a passionate orthopedic massage therapist in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh serving Ross, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Sewickley, Hampton, and Fox Chapel.  She personally works toward and shares with her clients ways to become “Focused. Grounded. Balanced.” by taking a holistic approach to healing the body naturally.