I, Carl W. Brown, am a certified massage therapist and somatic (anatomically based) Holistic bodyworker.  I am not a licensed physician.  Massage therapy and bodywork services are not licensed by the state of California. I am licensed as a massage therapist by the cities of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.  X.Net, Inc. DBA Able Bodyworks, a California corporation, is located at 2100 Skycrest Ave. #12, Walnut Creek, CA 94595.  Phone (925) 287-9994.

I offer holistic combined with somatic(anatomical) bodywork.  Holistic treatments work from the premise that the whole person (body, mind and spirit) is more that the sum of the parts.  Medicine, on the other hand, is based on a pathologic model where treatment comes from an assessment or diagnoses of problems with specific part of the person.  Holistic wellness is achieving a state of improved health based on our individual potentials.  Work on specific problems comes from within the context of a broader perception of the individual as a whole.

The bodywork techniques that I use deal with things such as chronic pain, restricted movement, nerve impingement, muscle adhesions, myofascial release, scar tissue, ligaments, bone and joint problems.  I use interview and palpation to assess problems and what corrections are needed.  I use safe procedures, always working within the body’s normal range of motion.  My assessments are used to guide me to discover problems and your body will tell be if I am right.

I have been trained to use my medical knowledge to get me to the potential cause of the problem and then balance that skill with an almost intuitive or empathic sense where preconceived notions get in the way of my assessment.  The fine palpatory skills feel for problems and find clues that most people would miss especially if they are consciously looking for problems.  I can often feel both physical and emotional tensions and even pain in tissues.  I can support mind/body releases during bodywork.  However I am not trained to provide psychological support or spiritual counseling.

I release tissue adhesions primarily by applying precise, gentle force and letting the tissue release itself.  I also use special stretching to release deep adhesions.  This includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues in joints as well as fluids, nerves, blood vessels, organs and myofascial tissue.  I often use the same techniques to soften scar tissue.  I also do work on tissues to realign fibers within the tissues.  I use a combination of manual forces to stimulate bones to heal micro-imperfections.  I perform corrections to realign muscles, ligaments, and tendons to improve the mechanical effectiveness, correct repetitive strain injuries and relive pain.  I work joints to remove stiffness.  I drain tissue of lymph with manual techniques based on palpating the pressure and flow of lymph.  I relieve muscle tension with direct or supportive massage, improve blood and lymphatic flow, and use techniques that stimulate the Golgi tendon organs or temporarily reduce the flow of blood to specific points on the muscle.

I work with people fully clothed because I do not use lotions or oils and I do not have to deal with draping problems as I move you into different positions.  I usually use a massage table but can work in wheel chairs or hospital beds.

Even if you may feel great after the session, later or the next day, sometimes people will feel sore like after a heavy workout.  This is normal.  On rare occasions you can feel worse.  If this happens, let me know and I will take care of the problem.  Drink water after every session.  Dehydrated tissues are subject to cramping.  Re-softening myofascial tissue draws water out of the rest of the body.

The effectiveness of my work varies by individual.  For some they only need one treatment, others need periodic sessions.  While there are a few people who I have not been able to help or the results do not last, many have found the results to be phenomenal. 

Lynda Caesara’s series of joint courses based on the Berry Method® (orthopedic, subtle touch and energetic) The Institute of Integral Health Inc. Berry Method® training (Basics I & II) (orthopedic bodywork), McKinnon Institute (Swedish & deep tissue), Institute for Therapeutic Massage Inc., (Hot stone) Alive and Well (lymphatic & visceral), Creative Choices (acupressure), Introduction to Somatic Experiencing (trauma), Cheryl Jones - Private tutoring (Biodynamic Craniosacral), Hospice of the East Bay (Hospice and Anna’s program training)

In order to use my services, California state law requires that you acknowledge receipt of the information provided in this form and that you sign it.  You will receive a copy.  I will keep the original in my records for at least three years.

My methods of treatment, massage therapy and bodywork, are alternative or complementary to healing arts that are licensed by the State of California.  Under Sections 2053.5 and 2053.6 of California’s Business and Professions Code, I can offer you these services, subject to the following restrictions.

Here are the things that unlicensed alternative practitioners are NOT allowed to do:

• Perform any form of surgery or any procedure that punctures your skin or harmfully invades your body.
• Use X-ray radiation.
• Prescribe prescription drugs, or recommend that you discontinue drugs that were prescribed by a licensed physician.
• Set fractures.
•  Treat wounds with electrotherapy.
• Put you at risk of great bodily harm, serious physical or mental illness, or death.
• Imply in any way that they are licensed physicians.

If you ever have any concerns about the nature of your treatment, please feel free to discuss them with me.  I recommend that you inform your medical doctor that you are receiving bodywork.

Acknowledgement and Consent to Receive Services:

I have read and understand the above disclosure about the massage therapy and bodywork offered by Carl W. Brown and Carl W. Brown’s training and education.  I have discussed with Carl W. Brown the nature of the services to be provided.  I understand that Carl W. Brown is not a licensed physician and that massage therapy and bodywork services are not licensed by the state.  I understand it is my responsibility to maintain a relationship for myself/my child with a medical doctor.  I have consented to use the services offered by Carl W. Brown, and agree to be personally responsible for the fees of Carl W. Brown in connection with the services provided to me.

Signed:  ___________________________                              Date:  ________________________

                (client/parent/conservator/guardian)

             __________________________

                (name of client)

                                                                                                                                                                07/26/08 rev14

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