www.myofascialtherapy.massagetherapy.com My original training was at the Pittsburgh School of Pain Management for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy (1999), which is now a 650 hour course. This school teaches from the medical text "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction The Trigger Point Manual" by Drs Travell and Simons and does not teach massage.

This training puts my understanding of MYOFASCIAL PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION far ahead of the massage therapist and Chiropractors who had "trigger point massage" included in the 500 hour massage program or took a weekend class or two. I have since gone on to attain the National Certification in Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy and the National Certification in Medical Massage.

With these and other modalities, my focus has always been pain management and correction of muscle dysfunction. Many pain complaints are due to dysfunction of muscle and soft tissue, which can be addressed using Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Medical Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise. I have worked with Chiropractors and MDs to provide, in many cases, far better pain management than Pharmaceuticals can provide.

I specialize in MIGRAINES, HEADACHES and upper body problems, partially because these were my own pain complaints and partially because these are so extremely common. Pharmaceuticals such as pain meds and anti-inflammatory seldom work for long-term relief where as addressing the trigger points and other soft tissue dysfunction actually REMOVES the problem in many cases.

I graduated from The Academy for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy (now known as Pittsburgh School of Pain Management) in June 1999. http://www.painschool.com. The program is a year long and this school is the only program recognized by the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists. http://www.myofascialtherapy.org

I am one of several Nationally Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists in the Pittsburgh area and the only one that is also a Nationally Certified Medical Massage Therapist.

I have well over 500 hours of continuing education including: Judith Delaney's NeuroMuscular Therapy (NMT) http://nmtcenter.com, ETPS training (Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation), the Medical Massage and insurance billing. In October 2005 earned a Master Medical Massage Certification then in January 2006 earned the National Certification in Medical Massage. I am also a Certified Migraine Prevention Coach .

I grew up a very active country kid with 3 brothers who climbed trees and fell off bicycles, by high school chronic pain had started to interfere with favorite activities like backpacking and scuba diving. Within years chronic pain and then migraines were common and eventually resulted in a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia http://www.myofascialtherapy.org/fibromyalgia.html and was told that nothing much could be done. The correct diagnosis would have been Chronic Myofascial Pain but very few doctors know much about it, even now. http://www.sover.net/~devstar/define.htm

Thankfully, I later found Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy and it proved to be much more effective that any medication or Physical Therapy. I have not had a migraine in years and pain no longer stops me from enjoying life. I was very lucky to find Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy or "Myotherapy" back 20 years ago.

Most therapists are drawn to learn this impressive technique after they have experienced pain relief for themselves or someone close to them.

My hours are relatively flexible, though I seldom work weekends.

My rates are $70 hour

$100 1 1/2 hour

$130 for 2 hours.

It is possible for me to do house calls and I can come to your HOME or OFFICE for a single Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy or massage, PARTY or other gathering. I usually will bring a table for house calls, but I can come with a chair and do clothed CHAIR MASSAGE instead. This works better for a WORK-PLACE MASSAGE or anywhere that privacy is not possible.

As a Trigger Point Therapist and Certified Medical Massage Therapist I can bill your AUTO Insurance for injuries sustained in the accident. I am experienced with working with Doctors and the Auto Insurance Companies. In Pennsylvania we can NOT BILL your HEALTH INSURANCE unless your plan actually offers to pay for massage. You can usually use your Health Savings Plan if you have one. I can also take credit cards.

I offer Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Medical Massage and other pain management modalities in addition to massage. Specialties include non-invasive treatment for:

* Injuries recently sustained in Auto Accidents, Whiplash is very common and can get worse in time if not addressed properly. (Medical Massage is covered by most auto insurance.)

* Headaches, Migraines TMJ, chronic or frequent tension headaches

* Heel and foot pain, Plantar Fasciitis, knee or hip pain

* Carpal Tunnel, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, tennis elbow and other arm pain

* Back, neck and shoulder pain and dysfunction

A lot of pain is muscular in origin, don't just keep taking pain meds, treat the cause of the problem. Treatments can often reduce or eliminate the need for medications or even surgery.

If you have been hurt in a recent auto accident, your treatment should be covered by your auto insurance company with a prescription from your doctor. Health insurance seldom covers massage, although your HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN probably will.

Mary Jo has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years and has taught workshops on trigger point therapy and stretching, stress management, migraine prevention and treatments for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain support groups.

http://www.migraineprevention.org where I am certified as a coach

http://www.painschool.com Pittsburgh School of Pain Management

http://www.myofascialtherapy.org/ National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists

http://www.myofascialtherapy.org/locate.html locate a therapist for other areas of the country

http://www.mmncb.org/index.php Medical Massage Certification Board

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/ Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) with Devin Starlanyl

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/phsympt.htm FMS/CMP symptoms

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/physinfo.htm Specific about FMS/CMP

Pain medications are harmful to the body if taken on a regular basis. Many times, they don't help very much or have unpleasant side effects. There are no guarantees that surgery will work. Almost ALL COMMON HEADACHES and MANY MIGRAINES are caused by the activation of trigger points and can be ELIMINATED or greatly reduced in frequency. Jaw pain and TMJD can often be reduced in a treatment or two. Carpal Tunnel type pain, arm numbness and pain, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and other repetitive motion related pain, frozen shoulder and shoulder pain, "bad knees", tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, heal pain, in many cases there is a strong myofascial (muscle) component to the condition. A few treatments and some homework on your part and you can stop worrying about surgery or how long you r Liver will last with so many pain meds. You should be able to feel the difference in a treatment or two!

30 Warrendale Bayne Road PineWood Place Suite 301 Warrendale Pa 15086

(third floor) Waiting area on the 2nd floor.

Free parking in the small lot on the far side of the house along the road.

From Pittsburgh or south I 79 take I-79 north to the WARRENDALE exit. (one after Wexford). When you get to the end of the ramp, make a right. onto Warrendale Bayne Road... 1/4 mile or so you will come to light, this is route 19. Cross 19, you will still be on Warrendale Bayne Rd ( it is 3/10 of a mile from Rt 19). You will pass the back of a small apartment then a house (both on Right) go up over a tiny hill (more like a big bump) and on that bump will be Harmony road on Right.... pass that and the next thing you come to is big pine trees and a pretty red brick house (on right) which is now offices. Beyond it is the parking, come to front door (facing the road) on far right side of house. Go up the stairs and use the door that says 301, it has a paper sign that says Advanced Bodywork, Massage and Yoga with my name. If you get there early, have a seat in the waiting area on the 2nd floor. If the door is open a bit, quietly announce yourself and just come on up.

any problems call my cell 724-494-1468

From Wexford, come North a few miles on route 19.Pass the Volvo dealer. Come up to the light with the 7-Eleven and turn right.

From Cranberry you will be traveling south on Rt 19 about 2 miles.

Warrendale Bayne Rd (With a Light, a 7-Eleven with Gas station, Bike Shop, and a small strip mall) Turn Right (from Wexford) or Left (from Cranberry) at light onto Warrendale Bayne Rd. You will pass the back of a small apartment then a house (both on Right) go up over a tiny hill (more like a big bump) and on that bump will be Harmony road on Right.... pass that and the next thing you come to is a pretty red brick house which is now offices, it is 3/10 of a mile from Rt 19. Beyond it is the parking lot, come to front door (facing the road) on far right side of house. go up the stairs and use the door that says 301, it has a paper sign that says Advanced Bodywork and Yoga with my name. If you get there early, have a seat in the waiting area on the 2nd floor. If the door is open a bit, quietly announce yourself, wait for my response to make sure I am ready for you and come on up.

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