Repetitive Strain Injury/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can accept questions that relate to chronic or acute pain caused by muscle spasms and contractions. Repetitive Strain Injury is actually Cumulative Trauma to muscles. Releasing the spasm &/or contraction will relieve the strain that is felt at the insertion point on the bone.

Experience in the area

Since 199 I have been working with endurance athletes and individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. I have authored seven self-treatment books and three self-treatment DVDs and I have developed the Julstro System for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Trigger Finger, and other Hand/Wrist pain. I am a national and international presenter at conventions, seminars, and workshops. Principle topics are "Work Shouldn't Hurt" and "The Pain Free Athlete" In 2005 and 2006 I was the massage therapist for ultracyclists competing in the Race Across America (RAAM) 3000+ mile race from San Diego, CA to Atlantic City, NJ

Publications

Triathlete Magazine, Endurance Magazine, multiple national and international trade journals.

Education/Credentials

Swedish Institute of Allied Health, NY, NY - Initial education in massage therapy Licensed NYS Massage Therapist since 1989 SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY - B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Health Education I was an Associate Professor helping to develop the massage training program for SUNY Rockland Community College

Past/Present Clients

Privacy prevents me from filling in this section without prior consent from my clients. Life Experience: I have been specializing in the treatment of chronic pain and sports injuries since receiving my NY massage license in 1989. A personal bout with carpal tunnel syndrome was the catalyst to my developing a self-treatment that heals CTS quickly and without surgery. My work with endurance athletes was the inspiration to teach people how to self-treat so they could stop pains even during a race or heavy training day. Both of these situations ultimately became the products that are sold on my websites http://www.carpaltunneltreatment.org and http://www.julstro.com. I currently have a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC (http://www.SportMassageChapelHill.com)

What do you like about this subject?

I love working with people! My personal experience with conditions such as frozen shoulder, sciatica, and especially with carpal tunnel syndrome, has shown me that muscle contractions are the primary cause of most joint pains, and that only deep muscle therapy worked to release the strain that was being placed on the joints/nerves.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I love learning about the body, and how it works and sharing that knowledge with others. Many conditions that are called by other names (i.e., bursitis, arthritis, etc.), but respond extremely well to deep muscle therapy. I am working toward my goals to teach self-treatment techniques worldwide and earn my Master's Degree in Anatomy.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Massage is truly the oldest medical profession. When the caveman was hunting the mammoth beast, after running after it, hunting it down, carving it up, and dragging it back to the cave - surely his muscles hurt and someone rubbed his shoulders!

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There have been many times that patients have come into the office, believing they had carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, trigger finger, major joint conditions, migraine headaches, tinnitis/ear pain, and other major conditions, and the only thing wrong was a contracted muscle pulling on its insertion point. They didn't need drugs, or surgery, to correct the condition.