Belonging Matters

From the Director: Awesome Autumn

The crisp, cool vibes of Autumn are a time to acknowledge and make peace with what is coming to an end, whether it’s a chapter in life, a project, or a way of thinking. October gently reminds us of life’s impermanence through the falling leaves and changing seasons, serving as a gorgeous reminder to fully embrace the present moment.

At KCHA, we continue to practice releasing the past, planning for the future, and savoring the present.  We do this by celebrating our graduates, welcoming new students, and sharing the growth of our current students.

As always, KCHA’s Student and Intern Clinics are open and ready to help relieve any Autumn-inspired discomfort. Learn more below.

This one-day course is led by Mark Duval, LMT, a bodyworker with 35 years of experience using applied Myofascial Release (MFR) techniques to resolve chronic pain issues.

Intended for currently practicing Licensed  Massage Therapists (LMTs) who have completed at least a basic MFR course, the course aims to provide LMTs with the skills to address chronic pain, restore function and alignment, and “recession-proof” their practice by getting referrals from various medical professionals.

The course focuses on assessment and evaluation skills, including visual assessment of alignment, palpation for mobility versus immobility, and functional muscle testing and range of motion (ROM).

The course  curriculum includes:

•   Intake, evaluation, and assessment skills, such as standing alignment, palpation, and hip flexor tests.
• Face-up table work, focusing on the release of the psoas, iliacus, quadriceps,  and diaphragm.
• Face-down table work, which includes releasing hip extensors, hip rotators, hamstrings, and working on the SI joint.
• Hands-on labs with a partner and a “client” to practice the techniques.

The course is based on Mark Duval’s approach to bodywork, where clients remain clothed in mobile clothing, and various types of testing and evaluation are performed before, during, and after treatment. The treatment is also highly dependent on client feedback, and the bodywork is not limited to the massage table; it may also include clients sitting and standing. The class specifically addresses hip and low back issues such as lordosis, pelvic tilt, herniated disks, sciatica, and SI joint pain.

 Register for the course now!

Hello, I’m Mark. I was on staff at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts from its inception as a massage therapist and yoga instructor from 1990  to 1998.

In 1998, I left KCHA for private practice and owning and operating my own yoga studio, The Yoga Place (1998 to 2004).

My massage practice began as a combination of Swedish massage and acupressure. In time, I grew bored with massage and became more interested in resolving pain and misalignment, influenced by my experiences working with various Rolfers, including Su Bibik (the original owner of KCHA), and other deep-tissue therapists.

When I saw that results with Myofascial Release (MFR) were more transformative and long-lasting than those with acupressure, I shifted my practice to focus solely on MFR. Then I discovered the book Anatomy Trains, by Tom Myers. While learning how Myers linked the facial meridians with the acupuncture meridians and specific yoga poses for each meridian, I felt like something really clicked for me, and I shifted my practice entirely to myofascial release, completing the basic courses from Tom Myers.

During the pandemic, I gave my clients the option to remain clothed if they wore flexible, mobile clothing, which led me to adopt a completely new approach to my practice. I quickly discovered several advantages to keeping the client clothed.  I could have them get up off the table and test the results while standing and weight-bearing. For neck and upper torso issues, I  can easily have them transition from the table to sitting on a stool,  which is absolutely necessary when addressing neck issues. It also facilitates any side-lying work and eliminates modesty issues for the client and the need for draping, etc.

Since then, I have been developing my own system and approach to resolving common musculoskeletal pain syndromes, and now receive referrals from many doctors, PAs, surgeons, DOs, PTs, and various other medical professionals. I approach the musculoskeletal system as a 3D puzzle, and I employ a variety of assessment techniques to “solve the puzzle.” I  depend on feedback and communication from the client, and I don’t limit my treatment to the massage table; sometimes, I work on a client in a seated or even standing position. I find it very rewarding when my clients leave my office pain-free and able to return to a normal, active life, and when they consider me an essential part of their healthcare.

In the Resolving Hip and Lumbar Issues with MFR: Bulging Disk, Sciatica, SI Joint Pain, & More! course on November 15, you will learn how to assess lumbar and hip issues and how to treat them using MFR based on what you find. If you have clients with chronic low back pain or hip pain and would like to learn how to help them, then this course is for you.

If you don’t already own the book Anatomy Trains, I highly recommend that you access a copy.

Doreen Hart, LMT,

Join Doreen Hart, LMT, CST, for CSW 1 and CSW 2, which are being offered as a Package for the greatest value.

CSW 1 will take place on October 11-12, 2025. CSW 2 will take place October 25-26, 2025

Learn more & register now! Payment plans are available for a limited time.

Along with Nature’s colorful display, Fall in the United States is the official beginning of cold & flu season. As the season typically peaks between December and February, Dr. Gregory Poland, director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, encourages getting the flu vaccine in early Fall.

The  CDC also reminds us that “In addition to influenza viruses, several  other respiratory viruses also spread during flu season and can cause  symptoms similar to those seen with flu infection.” These respiratory viruses include: Rhinovirus (one cause of the “common cold”), the virus that causes COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children, and is also a leading cause of death from respiratory illness in those aged 65 years and older. Human Parainfluenza Viruses  (HPIV), Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Respiratory adenoviruses, Other human coronaviruses other than those that cause COVID-19.  More information about non-influenza respiratory viruses is available.

As you can see, it’s a good time to review the simple ways we can help protect ourselves and others from getting sick.

Staying home also includes skipping your massage if you are contagious, have a fever, are vomiting, or are experiencing diarrhea.

It’s also a good time to take a moment to review the signs and symptoms that distinguish a cold from the flu, as well as the emergency warning signs of flu complications. Additionally, you will find information on recognizing the differences between the flu and other illnesses, such as COVID-19 and Staph Infection.

Consider gifting yourself the time to reset your wellness routine this Fall; massage therapy is an ideal way to do just that!
Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, recover from muscle tension, or simply recharge, regular massage can help you embrace the season with renewed energy and well-being.

A massage at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts is a perfect gift to give or receive. As students near the end of their training and new graduates hone their skills, they are ready to provide massage for the public. These relaxing sessions are affordable. Gift certificates and monthly specials are available.
Book a Massage, Today!

“October, here’s to you. Here’s to the heady aroma of the frost-kissed apples, the winey smell of ripened grapes.” – Ken Weber

Autumn’s brilliant colors symbolize completion, perfection, and the start of a new cycle, reminding us to consciously reap what we have sown, to recognize our blessings, and express gratitude.

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