Our Myofascial Release Team
Laci
At age 28 I was told by my doctor my only option to reduce my pain was to have part of my colon removed and live with a colostomy bag. I'd been living with chronic pain for 5 years after having a complete hysterectomy.
The pain got worse; I tried everything from pelvic floor injections 3 times per week to a morphine pump surgically placed in my spine. The result was NO RELIEF and more pain. I was living in a prison in my own body. After traveling the pain management road to a poor/no quality of life, I discovered John F. Barnes Myofascial Release and now live an active, medication free life.
I’ve been a massage therapist since 1999 and, after going to my 1st John F. Barnes Myofascial Release seminar in October 2011, I completely embraced the technique and saw my clients, that were stuck in a rut and not getting any better with deep tissue massage, progress leaps and bounds. There is a synergy between the patient and therapist that is unparalleled to any therapy I have ever seen.
Rhonda
Rhonda has been a Physical Therapist Assistant since 1999 and a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2021. She specializes in John Barnes Myofascial Release and Thai Mashiatsu (a form of bodywork using the feet to release restricted fascia). Additionally, Rhonda has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years and holds certifications with Polestar Pilates, Peak Pilates, Titleist Performance Institute Medical 2 and ACE Personal Trainer.
Rhonda was introduced to John Barnes Myofascial Release in 2010 when she began working at Integrated Physical Therapy with Craig Cohen in Miami. Three days after her start date, Craig was in a bad bicycle accident and unable to treat his patients. She was thrown into the work and quickly found out how amazing the results were. She began taking every MFR course she could get to. The work has been life changing for her and her patients. Not only did she find a treatment that truly works and heals, she found a community of loving and caring therapists.
Amy
Amy has been a Physical Therapist Assistant since 2008. She is also a licensed Massage Therapist in Florida and Colorado. Amy has worked with people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. She found John Barnes Myofascial Release through her search to increase her manual skills. She fell in love with the potential to be able to treat the whole person with this gentle modality, allowing for authentic healing and change to take place. Myofascial Release solidified to her that all systems of our being are interwoven.
Carrie
Carrie De Chiara graduated from Touro College in NYC in 2000 with a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. She earned an award for Honors Research having completed a clinical research study while in graduate school, which was later published. She worked for 3 years at Mt Sinai hospital, NYC in various departments including acute rehab and outpatient therapy. In 2004, she moved to Florida where she continued studying Craniosacral Therapy at the Upledger Institute and worked in outpatient and subacute settings. She discovered Pilates in 2005 and completed classical and later, Polestar Pilates training. She worked in a hospital setting and gradually built a private practice clientele for Pilates and manual therapy in the Miami area.
Carrie is now our evaluating Physical Therapist, blending her extensive training with the principles John Barnes Myofascial Release to provide a holistic approach to her evaluations.