Fascial Stretch Therapy
in Tempe
FST: IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW IT FEELS
Experience the transformative power of Fascial Stretch Therapy at Empowering Bodies Wellness – where flexibility meets freedom.
DECREASE PAIN
Alleviate discomfort through targeted fascial stretch therapy, reducing muscle tension and promoting a sense of relief.
IMPROVE POSTURE
Enhance alignment and stability with specialized stretches, fostering better posture for overall well-being.
INCREASE PERFORMANCE
Unlock greater flexibility and range of motion, empowering improved physical capabilities for peak performance.
HELP WITH RELAXATION
Experience soothing stretches that ease both physical & mental tension, promoting a rejuvenated state.
FASCIAL STRETCH ENHANCEMENT FOR ALL AGES
Unlock Your Potential with Fascial Stretch Therapy
Discover the inclusive nature of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST), a versatile and accessible approach suitable for individuals of every fitness level and age group. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to enhance performance, someone grappling with chronic pain, or an individual on a journey toward overall physical well-being, FST offers a pathway to revitalization.
FST is not just a fitness trend; it’s a science-backed method that requires expertise for maximum benefit. It is essential to entrust your well-being to a certified and knowledgeable therapist who possesses a deep understanding of anatomy and the intricate techniques involved in this therapeutic practice.
Explore the transformative possibilities of Fascial Stretch Therapy, where personalized sessions cater to your unique needs, ensuring a holistic approach to achieving your health and fitness goals.
MEET YOUR FST SPECIALISTS!
Kathy Martinez, CPT, CFSS III | Mike Yuhaniak, LMT, CFSS III
Kathy Martinez is the powerhouse behind Empowering Bodies Wellness – a visionary leader, certified personal trainer, and bodywork expert on a mission to revolutionize well-being. With a relentless commitment to helping clients learn forward, Kathy is the driving force behind the transformational experiences that redefine performance in health and life.
Mike Yuhaniak, is the dynamic co-director and partner at Empowering Bodies Wellness, a true catalyst for transformative change. With an unyielding passion for helping clients recover their quality of life, Mike is dedicated to elevating performance in health and life through Performance-Driven Brain Training.
ExcellentBased on 14 reviewsLaura Paulus2022-09-03I was diagnosed with Bells Palsey in the fall of 2021 and was in severe pain to the point that I was not sleeping, nothing I tried would provide long term relief. Mike was recommended to me and I must admit, I was a sceptic and really doubted that he could make much of a difference, but was willing to try anything. On my very FIRST visit Mike was able to alleviate the pain and I am continuing to improve on a daily basis. The best thing about Mike is his dedication to your healing, his joy in discovering new techniques, and his ability to teach you to apply them to your daily life and help restore your health. I can't thank Mike enough, he has changed my life!Alexander LeBlanc2022-07-28A profoundly healing, life-changing experience! For years, I suffered from chronic pain. Even though massages provided some short-term relief, they did not seem to help after that. My intuition told me that I needed something else, and by grace, I found Empowering Bodies. My eternal gratitude goes out to Mike for reaching out to me. I feel safe and supported knowing I can reach out for what I need moving forward in my healing journey. Mike is a beautiful reflection of the divine masculine. He is calm, compassionate, insightful, and accepting. It was clear to him what my body needed to get out of pain and to release energy blocked in my body. Anyone coming across Empowering Bodies, this is the place. A sanctuary awaits you at Empowering Bodys. Namaste ❤️Kirsten B.2022-07-26Mike and Kathy are such a fabulous team! Mike has helped my-over-20-years of lower chronic back pain melt away and strengthen my core muscles! Both of them have also stretched my teenagers - they always ask to come back! Kathy is amazing with my elderly father who doesn’t talk or do much anymore. After his session it’s like someone has pressed the power button and he moves faster and talks all the way home! They teach and explain as they stretch and I always look forward to my sessions. Thank you for all you do and the help you’ve given me, when all the other therapists and dr’s have failed!Patricia Young2022-07-08My husband & I have been strength training with Kathy for over 10 years. We've also received stretch and massage (from Mike). Both are exceptionally trained and knowledgeable about our individual needs. They work together to provide the most caring, skilled and professional services to help you be the best you can be. At 66 & 72, we're strong, flexible and confident due to their assistance. We look forward to a healthy future.Kathy McAvoy2021-05-04Mike offers healing that connects Mind/Body/Soul, and now more than ever this kind of service is needed. The connection between Health and mind/body/soul is usually missing from traditional Western medicine. Yet it is very real, and if this year of pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that our soul and our physical manifestations of illness and disease are deeply connected. Mike is the only healer I’ve ever met who is able to provide a pathway for integrating this kind of healing. I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now without his services. He has gotten me through two devastating events: the sudden and unexpected death of my husband, and my own heart attack from stress. And all of this was during the pandemic! Mike is the real deal. Do yourself a favor and trust him to facilitate wellness and healing for whatever did-ease languishes within you.Eileen Colleran2021-04-09Have you paid for a gym membership and never or rarely used it? I did for years, knowing I needed to work out but unable to motivate myself. Then I found Kathy. Not only does she offer accountability, but makes working out fun so I actually want to go. She has taught me some very important skills that have not only strengthened my body but helped in my day to day activities. As a senior, some things get harder to do such as getting up off the ground. But it is important to be able to do that. Kathy helped me work on it so now I can get up by myself without reaching for an arm or piece of furniture. She has also shown me how to pick up cases of water and heavy dog food bags without hurting myself. It has changed my world!! I had never heard of fascial stretch therapy (FST) before but having chronic low back problems, I thought I would give it a try. What I didn’t know was how much FST would help other parts of my body as well. I have been getting FST from Kathy every 2 weeks for a number of years and it has made a big impact on my day to day life. Besides helping with my lower back, FST has helped with neck issues I have from sitting in front of the computer and doing data entry for long periods of time and loosened tight leg joints. I had also broken my elbow as a teenager and never did regain full flexibility and movement. But with FST, I found that my elbow became more mobile helping me a lot with typing and other activities that require movement of the elbow area. FST is much more than just a relaxing time (which it definitely is), it is a healing time and helps to keep me healthy and active.Tiffany Viterbo2021-04-09At the time of my first appointment with Mike I was probably at the lowest health point in my life. I was fainting nearly 5 times a week, and had seen nearly every specialist only for them to all tell me there was nothing wrong. I had even ventured to see a naturopath, and had no relief from fainting. My first session was about 6 months ago and I have not fainted since. I cannot put into words how much this healing journey has helped me. I feel like a new person, physically and mentally. Since my journey started I have graduated school, started my career, and gotten married. I don’t believe any of these would have been possible without Mike. I recommend Mike to anyone and everyone. If you’re struggling with anything physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, Mike will help jumpstart your healing process!Phyllis Nelson2021-04-04Kathy is such a gifted healer. I very much enjoyed the attention to detail when adjusting various parts of my body and stretching based on what’s needed And in a way that actually made me feel amazing not only when I was finished but the whole week plus. I highly recommend and will definitely be returning!Bob Hunnicutt2021-04-02I have been working with Kathy for almost three years receiving fascial stretch therapy. During that time, she helped me recover from the ravages of a liver transplant, relieved the pain and restrictions of a degenerating right knee, and most recently helped me transition from a real knee to a artificial one. She is professional, focused, caring, and sincerely interested in me as a person and as a client. I have recommended her to several of my friends after they hear my stories of "fascial stretching", seen the improvement in my golf game, general outlook, and sleeping. She is a friend and a trusted advisor as well as an angel sent to take away my pain!Toni Hanson2021-04-01I have been with Empowering Bodies Wellness for several years and I have never felt better. I have lower back and knee issues and working out here has helped make me stronger in those areas and with my overall strength. I look forward to every workout!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fascia is an elastic type material that surrounds all of our muscles and other soft tissues like a body stocking. The elastic nature of fascia makes it very pliable, returning to its original length
after being contracted or elongated. Experts in anatomy have uncovered distinct lines of fascia that run throughout the body and allow us to move efficiently by coordinating muscles from head
to toe. Fascia is an essential part of every movement we perform, from exercising to tying our shoes, even though most people don’t even know about it. Unfortunately, fascia can become restricted, leading to a whole host of problems.
No, FST is pain-free. No more pushing through the pain to see little or no improvement. We assess you from head to toe before we start to make sure that you are only receive the movements that you need. We work with your body and fine-tune the speed and depth of stretches to make sure that you leave feeling great, not beat up.
Our modern lifestyle typically includes too much time sitting and leads to poor posture and accompanying fascial restrictions. Repetitive motions and trauma are even worse causes of restrictions as they increase the density of our fascia, further impeding the body’s innate healing capabilities. Dense, restricted fascia limits the body’s natural ability to move freely, and this can
lead to impaired circulation and lymphatic flow. When we don’t address our fascial restrictions, we make daily life more challenging and may even contribute to the development of chronic
pain
While other businesses provide the same set of stretches for every client that walks in, FST is customized to meet your specific needs. We personally evaluate you and choose from hundreds of stretches to personalize your experience. FST also features techniques found in no other form of assisted stretching – traction, flow, and the NeuroMyoFascia Technique. All these components make FST like no type of stretching you’ve done before.