Seminars: Directors & Faculty

Program Directors

Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, MPS, DAAPM, is a Dutch-trained physical therapist who holds a Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in biomechanical trauma and health care administration, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Dommerholt has taught many courses and lectured at conferences throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and the Middle East while maintaining an active clinical practice. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain (editor Dr. I. Jon Russell), the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (editor Dr. Leon Chaitow), the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy (editor Chad Cook, PT, PhD), and Cuestiones de Fisioterapia.

He has authored many chapters and articles on myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and performing arts physical therapy, and prepares a quarterly literature review column on myofascial pain for the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. Read “Treating the Trigger” (PDF), a 2008 interview with Dr. Dommerholt published in Advance magazine. Dr. Dommerholt is the president of Bethesda Physiocare® and editor of several books on myofascial trigger points.

Robert Gerwin, MD, FAAN, is Co-Founder, Vice President, and Co-Director of Myopain Seminars. He is a Board Certified Neurologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Dr.  Gerwin graduated from the University of Chicago School of Medicine. He had two years of Internal Medicine post-graduate training at New York University—Bellevue Hospital and did his Neurology Residency at Case-Western Reserve University/Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. He had a two year special fellowship at NIH in neurology and immunology. He has been in private practice in the Washington DC area for many years. Dr.  Gerwin has been working in the area of Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia for many years. Dr. Janet G. Travell was his mentor while she lived in Washington DC. Dr. Gerwin is former President of the International Myopain Society. He was the Scientific Program Chairman for the 2007 International Congress of the Myopain Society.

He is the author of over 30 peer reviewed articles, reviews, book chapters and consensus statements. He reviews articles for over a dozen medical journals. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. He is co-editor of the books Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management and Clinical Mastery in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain (see Books). He has been teaching courses and seminars worldwide in the field of neuromuscular and myofascial pain for many years. He founded the Focus on Pain series of neuromuscular and myofascial pain conferences in 1990. His interests lie in the area of Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia, and in the related issues of chronic headache, low back pain, and pelvic region pain, in addition to practicing neurological medicine. He is particularly concerned with the problem of persistent or chronic pain, and why some persons do not recover as expected. Dr.  Gerwin is the Medical Director of Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine in Bethesda, MD and is an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

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Travell Seminar Series Faculty

Dry Needling (DN) Series

Tracey Adler, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University in 1979. While enrolled in the program, she received extensive training in manual therapy from Gordon Cummings, who trained directly with Geoffrey Maitland. In 1984, after conducting research on women with undiagnosed pelvic and abdominal pain, she received a Master’s of Science Degree, specializing in orthopedic physical therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. She was board certified as an Orthopedic Specialist in 1993 and recertified in 2003. Dr. Adler completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2007. Since 2003, she has performed trigger point dry needling and was internationally certified in dry needling by Myopain Seminars and Janet G. Travell, MD Seminar Series in June 2007.

Dr. Adler specializes in treating patients with spinal, TMD, pelvic pain and acute/chronic musculoskeletal dysfunctions. She is on the adjunct faculty at MCV/VCU. She has had a private practice, Orthopedic Physical Therapy, since 1984. Dr.  Adler is a member of the VPTA, APTA, Myopain Society, and IPPS. See her article, “Trigger-Point Needle Helps Relieve Chronic Pain” (PDF), in the July 26, 2008, Richmond Times Dispatch. On January 2, 2008, Tracey Adler spoke with Gloria Taylor Edwards and Shirley T. Burke on the “Speaking from the Heart” Radio Show on WCLM Radio 1450AM. The topic of their discussion was “The Magic of Dry-Needling.” Listen to part 1 (MP3) and part 2 (MP3).

Anna Bittner, MD, CMTPT, earned a Bachelors Degree in Microbiology at the University of Central Florida, Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of Florida and completed a Family Medicine residency at University of Tennessee, Memphis. As a fibromyalgia and myofascial pain patient, she was successfully treated at Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine and Bethesda Physiocare and completed the Myopain Seminars. She and her husband, Tim Taylor MD, operate Pain Relief Home, a unit of The Muscle Pain Center, in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of The National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists, The American Academy of Family Practice, the International Myopain Society and The American Academy of Pain Management. She instructs at Virginia Commonwealth University College of Medicine where she received The Teacher of The Year Award. She received the Virginia Academy of Family Practice Volunteer Physician of the Year Award.

Joseph M Donnelly, PT, DHS, OCS, is Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Post-Professional Education in the Physical Therapy Program at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. He is also the coordinator of the Residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Dr Donnelly has been a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy since 1992 and Certified in Intramuscular Manual Therapy in 2004. Joe serves as the Practice Committee Chair for the Orthopaedic Section and as a core member of the Manipulation Task Force of the APTA. Dr Donnelly’s research focus is on movement impairment secondary to myofascial pain and dysfunction.

Michelle Finnegan, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT, received her Master of Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2001. Michelle has attended many courses with several renowned physical therapists, including Dr. Mariano Rocabado, Brian Mulligan, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, and Dr. Stanly Paris.

In 2005, she received her Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Shortly after this she went on to complete advanced training in manual therapy by completing a fellowship program through the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). In 2007, she became a distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT) and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Finnegan is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Dr. Finnegan has completed the course program of Myopain Seminars and in 2009, she became certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling. In 2010, she was invited to join the highly regarded Academy of Advanced Item Writers, sponsored by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Michelle works at Bethesda Physiocare and has a particular interest in the treatment of the so-called upper quarter, which includes the head, neck, face, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), cervical spine, and shoulder girdle. She enjoys working with dancers as one of her sub-specialties.

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Jennifer Flage Hobson, PT, DPT, MTC, CFC, CMTPT, is a Dutch-trained physical therapist who earned her degree in physical therapy with an emphasis on manual therapy at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She then went on to train in Madrid, Spain at the prestigious Hospital de Mostoles, followed by a clinical residency in Advanced Orthopedics. Dr. Hobson earned her Manual Therapy Certification, Cranio-Facial Certification, and Doctorate in Physical Therapy under the direction of Dr. Stanley Paris at the University of St. Augustine, Florida. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Hobson continues to train in Santiago, Chile, with Dr. Mariano Rocabado, a leading Cranio-Facial, TMJ, Neck and Spine rehabilitation expert. Dr. Hobson later completed the course program of Myopain Seminars and is a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist.

Dr. Hobson is recognized for her physical therapy skills for head, neck and facial pain. She has taught in a variety of institutions, including the Northwestern University Physical Therapy Gross Anatomy Lab, and is currently a clinical mentor and guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Residency program, the UIC Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, and the Achieve Ortho Rehab Institute Orthopedic Clinical Residency program in Chicago. Dr. Hobson has assisted with continuing education courses through the University of St. Augustine in the Chicago area and also in Santiago, Chile. Dr. Hobson conducts lectures to the medical community and to the general public on topics such as: head, neck & spine health, body wellness, body mechanics, and the importance and effects of proper posture.

Dr. Hobson practices at her Physical Therapy Renaissance, Ltd. clinics in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL. Her practice is dedicated to treating head, neck, spine and temporomandibular disorders.

Michael Karegeannes, PT, MHSc, LAT, MTC, CFC, CCTT, CMTPT, is the co-owner of Freedom Physical Therapy Services in Fox Point, Wisconsin since 1997. His specialties in the field of Physical Therapy include: TMD (Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction); Spine and Pelvic Dysfunctions Myofascial Pain and Orthopedic therapies.

Michael graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. After he graduated, he received his Athletic Training License from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and later, Michael completed his Manual Therapy Certification and Masters of Health Science from the University of St. Augustine in Florida.

In 2005, Michael had the honor of being trained by Dr. Mariano Rocabado, ( in conjunction with the University of St. Augustine) who is the leading national expert in the field of craniofacial therapies. Michael holds a Craniofacial Certification with the University of St. Augustine. In addition, Michael has attended an Orofacial Pain and TMD residency with the University of Minnesota Dental School. He is a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP), and is one of the few physical therapists in the United States recognized as a Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist with the AAOP. Michael is certified through Myopain Seminars.

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Johnson McEvoy, PT, MSc, DPT, MISCP, MCSP is a Chartered Physiotherapist in private practice in Ireland. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin (Dublin University) in 1993 and the masters in sports physiotherapy at University College Dublin in 2004. He completed his doctorate in physical therapy at the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences in 2008.

Dr. McEvoy is lead physiotherapist with the national Irish Boxing team since 2003 and has worked with the team for three Olympic cycles. He was an accredited Physiotherapist for the Athens Olympics in 2004. He teaches on various university programmes including the MSc in Sports Physiotherapy at University College Dublin, BSc (Sports Science) at University of Limerick and BSc (Athletic Therapy) at Dublin City University.

Dr. McEvoy teaches trigger point and trigger point dry needling courses in Ireland since 2004. He is project manager for a working party on drafting guidelines for trigger point dry needling for the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. He has several publications related to myofascial pain including Reliability of Myofascial Trigger Point Palpation: A Systematic Review (McEvoy & Huijbregts 2011), Myofascial Trigger Points of the Shoulder in Donatelli Physical Therapy of the Shoulder (McEvoy & Dommerholt 2011); Trigger Point Dry Needling for Migraine (Dommerholt, McEvoy & Grobli 2012); Therapeutic exercises for the shoulder region (McEvoy, O’Sullivan & Bron 2011); Trigger Point Dry Needling—Safety Guidelines (McEvoy in press). He was co-author of a statement paper for the Irish Institute of Sport entitled “Massage in High Performance Sport—A Review” (Glasgow, McEvoy & Conway 2011).

Dr. McEvoy has an interest in multimodal care including trigger point therapy, trigger point dry needling, rehabilitation and strengthening, rehabilitative ultrasound imaging and electrotherapy including shockwave therapy.

Rob Stanborough, PT, DPT, MHSc, MTC, CMTPT, FAAOMPT, is a Dutch-trained physical therapist. He received his degree in Physiotherapie from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and his Master of Health Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Stanborough is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists and has earned several certifications related to soft tissue manipulation including manual therapy, dry needling and ASTYM.

Dr. Stanborough is an assistant instructor at the University of St. Augustine. He teaches continuing education courses on the subject of Myofascial Manipulation through the University of St. Augustine throughout the United States, South America and the Orient. He is the co-editor of the 3rd edition of Myofascial Manipulation: Theory and Application (Pro-Ed Inc.).

He has a varied clinical background with experience in neurology, pediatrics and orthopedics. He is the founding partner and President of First Coast Rehabilitation, in St. Augustine, Florida, where he practices regularly.

Erik Wijtmans, PT, MTC, CMTPT, CGIMS, is a native of The Netherlands and completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy at the Academy for Physiotherapy, SUPA/PADU, Utrecht, in 1986. At that time he also became certified by the Royal Dutch Soccer Association as a Sports Therapist. After moving to the United States in 1987, he received his Manual Therapy Certification through the Institute of Graduate Physical Therapy in St. Augustine, FL, under Stanley Paris, PT, PhD in 1989. Since 1995, he is teaching manual therapy in the Masters and Doctorate Physical Therapy program at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Erik is an APTA certified clinical instructor. He completed the needling certification programs of both The Myopain Seminars in 2006 and of Dr. Chan Gunn’s IMS needling courses in 2006. He was one of the first three therapists in the United States to complete the Janet G. Travell, MD Seminar Series, and has served as an examiner in the certification examinations.

As a promoter of the art and science of manual therapy as a specialty within physical therapy, he is passionate about teaching and presenting a variety of topics to his patients, the medical community and the public. He devotes much time and effort to continuing education, and takes several courses each year in the USA and abroad. Because Erik is always looking for new and better ways to treat patients, he remains on the forefront of utilizing new treatment approaches and techniques. He is active in national and international organizations of manual therapy. Erik’s subspecialties within physical therapy are manual therapy, the treatment of pain and dysfunction of myofascial origin, and sports medicine. He is particularly interested in the many and diverse head and neck manifestations of myofascial dysfunctions of the head, neck, and shoulder musculature.

Erik has been in private practice since 1991 and is co-founder and clinic director of The Therapy Network, a PT owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics in Virginia Beach, VA. He continues to see patients on a full time basis.

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Manual Trigger Point Therapy (MTT) Series

Katie Adams, LMT, CNMT, CMTPT, holds a B.A. from Ithaca College and received her massage and neuromuscular therapy certifications in 1996. She is the founder of 360 NeuroMuscular Therapy in Needham, MA. 360 NMT® is the only practice in Greater Boston exclusively focused on rehabilitation of soft tissue dysfunction associated with medically diagnosed injury and pain derived from myofascial trigger points. The clinic provides collaborative adjunct care for leading hospital medical practices, pain-focused physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors and dentists. Having trained as a professional dancer, Katie is passionate about manual therapy to restore optimal function and movement for her patients. She specializes in treatment of post-operative myofascial pain, and has been on the faculty at the New England Baptist Shoulder and Sports Symposium for three years. Katie is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists and the International Myopain Society. Katie is a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist after graduating from the Myopain Seminars course series.

Stewart Wild, LMT, CNMT, CMTPT, was born in New Zealand, and began his career in the health profession as a Hematology and Blood Bank Laboratory Technologist (1973–1999), working both in NZ and the United Kingdom.

Stewart has been practicing massage therapy sicnce 1994. He became the first person to certify in the St. John version of Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) at the New Zealand College of Massage (NZCM) in Auckland, NZ. He became an NMT instructor in 1998. In 2004 Stewart relocated to the US and double-certified in the “American Version” of NMT with Judith DeLany, and was on the teaching staff of the NMT Center from 2005–2009.

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is an educated, hands-on approach to longstanding pain of soft tissue origin. The NMT paradigm takes into account postural distortion, trigger point involvement, nerve entrapment, all forms of muscle damage and imbalance, and various other health markers. To reinforce each of these aspects Stewart has studied with various soft tissue pioneers like Dr. Leon Chaitow, DeLany, Deane Juhan, Dr. Gil Hedley, and Aaron Mattes.

Stewart’s most recent teachers have been Dr. Bob Gerwin and Dr. Jan Dommerholt of Myopain Seminars. In 2009 Stewart became the first massage therapist to become a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT) at Myopain Seminars. In 2009–2010 this series was divided into the Dry Needling (DN) courses and the Manual Trigger Point Therapy (MTT) courses. Stewart has been the principle developer and will teach the MTT workshops, which are especially tailored for those practitioners not legally able to practice the dry needling techniques.

Stewart lives just outside Boston, MA, and is the co-owner of 360 NeuroMuscular Therapy (with an accompanying blog) that is located in Needham MA. There, Stewart and his business partner Katie Adams have developed a comprehensive approach to treating various common but enigmatic pain conditions using hands-on therapy. All Manual Trigger Point Therapy (MTT) courses in the Boston region will be based at 360NMT starting in 2011. You will find 360NMT a very condusive environment for deep learning and practice.

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Canine Trigger Point Therapy (CTPT) Series

Rick Wall, DVM, is a 1979 graduate of Texas A&M University-College of Veterinary Medicine. He is currently in small animal practice in The Woodlands, Texas where he is the owner of Animal Clinics of the Woodlands, a multi-location small animal practice that includes the Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation.

In addition to his veterinary degree, Dr. Wall is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist. Additionally, Dr. Wall is a speaker for the Osteoarthritis Advocate Program co-sponsored by Novartis Animal Health and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Dr. Wall serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Medical Association. Additional organizations include the American Veterinary Medical Association, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and the International Myopain Society. Dr. Wall is currently serving as chairman of the Credentialing and Applications committee for the IVAPM Pain Practitioner Certification program.

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The Fascial Manipulation^© (FM) Faculty

Lorenzo Copetti, PT, was born in Tolmezzo, Italy. In 1981 he completed his Diploma in Physiotherapy and has been a private practitioner since 1982. He has studied with Ph. Souchard (Global Postural Re-education), M. Bienfait (Osteopathic techniques), A. J. Koning (Visceral Manipulation—Upledger Institute) and completed his Cyriax training in 1993. After his first course in Fascial Manipulation© with Luigi Stecco in 1997, Lorenzo has continued on-going training in this method to become an authorized teacher in 1998. He has taught numerous courses in Italy and Poland. Since 1992 he has also taught Manual Therapy techniques to Physiotherapy students at the University of Udine in Italy and has supervised a number of theses papers. He is a member of the examination commission for the course in “General Rehabilitation Methodology and Manual Therapy” at the same University.

Julie Ann Day, PT, is originally from Adelaide, South Australia. A physiotherapist since 1977, after graduation from the Institute of Technology in Adelaide, Julie currently lives and works in Padova in northern Italy. After initially working in the neurological field, for many years now she addresses mostly orthopaedic dysfunctions. Specialized in Connective Tissue Massage (Dicke and Teirich-Leube methods), since 1999 she has been involved in Fascial Manipulation© studying extensively with Luigi Stecco. In 2002 she became part of the authorized teaching group for this method. She has translated two books about Fascial Manipulation from Italian to English—“Fascial Manipulation for Musculoskeletal Pain” Nuova Libraria Piccin, and “Fascial Manipulation—Practical Part” by the same editor.

Julie is a founding member of the Associazione Manipolazione Fasciale (AMF) or Fascial Manipulation Association (FMA), which was established in 2008 in Italy. This association aims to promote research concerning fasciae and their role in a wide variety of problems. In recent years, she has collaborated extensively with Dr. Carla Stecco, an orthopaedic surgeon and assistant professor of Anatomy at the Padova University, who is dedicated to fascial anatomy research.

Julie has taught Fascial Manipulation© courses in Italy and Poland and has presented workshops in the Netherlands, USA and Canada about this method.

Currently part of the staff of the Physiotherapy Department of the Ospedale dei Colli, in Padova in a busy outpatient clinic, since 2000 Julie also supervises a number of 3rd year Physiotherapy students from the University of Padova during their Orthopaedic clinical practice. Julie maintains a blog at fascialmanipulation.blogspot.com.

Rodney Jackson, DC, discovered the healing power of natural therapeutics after suffering career ending injuries while racing motorcycles and working in industry in the 1970s. He attended Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, graduated in 1984 with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, then continued on to the Chiropractic Orthopedics program, graduating in 1987 as a board eligible chiropractic orthopedist. Having completed courses in Sacro Occipital, Torque Release, Network and Freeman techniques, Rod first became interested in the fascia by studying the Fascial Distortion Model. After watching a lecture by Antonio Stecco, MD, on the histology of the fascia, he became fascinated by Fascial Manipulation and attended the second International Fascia Research Congress in Amsterdam in 2009 where an FM workshop by Julie Ann Day, PT prompted him to attend the first English speaking Fascial Manipulation course near Thiene, Italy in 2010. While completing his second full FM course in 2011 in the USA, he also assisted at FM courses with Julie Ann Day, Lorenzo Copetti, Giorgio Rucli, Antonio Stecco and Warren Hammer.

Dr. Jackson has practiced in the rural town of Tillamook, Oregon, since 1985 utilizing a wide variety of chiropractic and soft tissue techniques. With his wife, Anna Jackson, LMT, he founded the first multi-disciplinary alternative health clinic on the Oregon coast in 2004 incorporating acupuncture, naturopathy, clinical counseling and massage to complement his own soft tissue based chiropractic practice. Rodney is an assistant instructor in Fascial Manipulation.

Giorgio Rucli, PT, was born in Udine in Italy. After an initial career as a professional athlete for the National Italian team, starring in hurdles and decathlon events, Giorgio Rucli completed his Diploma in Physiotherapy in 1986. He has been working in private practice since 1991 and has studied with M. Bienfait, completed courses in Postural Re-education and Orthopedic medicine according to Cyriax. From 1991 to 1996, he was the team physiotherapist of several professional soccer and basketball teams in the north of Italy. Since 2008, Giorgio teaches manual therapy techniques to physiotherapy students at the University of Udine. He began studying Fascial Manipulation with Luigi Stecco in 1996, and continued on-going training in this method to become an authorized teacher of this method in 1998. Since then he has taught courses extensively in Italy and Poland and has presented Fascial Manipulation courses at conferences in Italy, Netherlands, and the USA.

Larry Steinbeck, PT, MS, CMTPT, graduated in 1985 from the physical therapy program at Ball State University with an associated minor in athletic training. He received a Masters of Science degree in physical education/athletic training from Ohio University. Mr. Steinbeck is a physical therapist with the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers, a public outpatient physical therapy facility. He received his certification in trigger point dry needling through Myopain Seminars and has completed numerous other post-graduate training ranging from muscle energy technique to thrust technique for the spine. Larry was the first person from North America to complete the Fascial Manipulation Level 1 and Level 2 Diploma courses (twice!) through the Fascial Manipulation Association in Italy. Larry is an assistant instructor in Fascial Manipulation.

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Myopain Seminars

• Travell Seminar Series
• Canine Trigger Point Therapy Program
• Fascial Manipulation
• Cranio-Facial Dry Needling

 

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