Tom Church, LMT, Owner
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Practicing for 19 Years
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Certified Performance Therapist
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Clinical Sports Massage
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Certified in Orthopedic Massage
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Deep Tissue Techniques with Moderate/Deep pressure
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Myofascial Release Techniques
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Sports Massage
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Focused Treatments
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Thailand Traditional Massage
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USATF Registered Level 1 Certified Coach
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USATF Registered Cross Country Certified Coach
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Sports Medicine team member for the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation
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Lead Massage Therapist for the New England Masters Swimming Championships (18 years)
My interest in massage comes from being a competitive runner and the aches and pains that occur with it. I moved from New York City and a career in the running industry to attend The Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, MA. I graduated from MTI in 2001 with a focus on injured athletes.
After graduating from MTI, I trained in the Benjamin System of Orthopedic Massage in 2002 which focuses on the assessment and treatment of soft tissue injuries. In 2004 I received certification in Thailand Traditional Massage.
As an often-injured runner, I have been educated on treatments from medical professionals to fellow athletes. I have used this information I have gathered to better treat my clients. As an athlete, massage therapist, and coach, I bring knowledge of coaching, sport science, biomechanics, nutrition, physiology, and psychology into therapy sessions and coaching.
Over the years as a massage therapist I have found that it is not just the massage or the typical recommendations that we make to our clients, but sharing information that personalizes the treatments.
Philosophies
As a massage therapist
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Deal with the injury and tension pain first
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Know the body, how it works, and how it reacts to stimuli
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Relaxation is a by-product
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Work slow and within clients tolerances
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It does not need to hurt to be deep
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Create a comfortable and enjoyable setting
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Educate the client and give homework
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Work 3 dimensionally
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The muscles have antagonists
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As a coach
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The runner comes first
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Consider time restraints, personalities, and other priorities and obligations
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Work with the athlete's strengths
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Improve the athlete's weaknesses
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Educate
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Pass along knowledge and wisdom
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In combination
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I can observe the athlete and then use therapy to improve form, remove niggles, and improve performance.
Running Credentials
Competitive runner for over 40 years racing track, cross-country, roads, and trails from 400M to the marathon.
400M(59.9), 800M(2:12), Mile(4:28), 2M(9:38), 5k(15:52), 5M(25:52), 10k(32:50), 1/2 Marathon(1:15:15), finished 2 marathons, 2 time qualifier J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge World Championships
