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Tom Church, LMT, Owner

 

  • Practicing for 19 Years

  • Certified Performance Therapist

  • Clinical Sports Massage

  • Certified in Orthopedic Massage

  • Deep Tissue Techniques with Moderate/Deep pressure

  • Myofascial Release Techniques

  • Sports Massage

  • Focused Treatments

  • Thailand Traditional Massage

  • USATF Registered Level 1 Certified Coach

  • USATF Registered Cross Country Certified Coach

  • Sports Medicine team member for the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

  • 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

  • Deal with the injury and tension pain first

    • Know the body, how it works, and how it reacts to stimuli​

    • Relaxation is a by-product 

  • Work slow and within clients tolerances​

    • It does not need to hurt to be deep​

  • Create a comfortable and enjoyable setting​

  • Educate the client and give homework

  • Work 3 dimensionally

    • The muscles have antagonists​

As a coach

  • The runner comes first

    • Consider time restraints, personalities​, and other priorities and obligations

  • Work with the athlete's strengths

  • Improve the athlete's weaknesses

  • Educate

    • Pass along knowledge and wisdom​

In combination

  • 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

 

 

 

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