Healing the Wounds of Autoimmune & PD/MS Diseases

Hi! I’m Karen Heide, a Movement and Fascia Stretch Therapist. My mission is to treat adults with neurological disorders or debilitating illness - anyone in need of support to overcome limitations which cause pain and restrict mobility. Repeatedly, I have found that the healing effect of hands-on movement therapy is much more potent than a simple massage. By leveraging the active participation of the client, it increases strength as well as flexibility. By increasing blood flow, lymph, and oxygen, even very longstanding blockages can be shattered by these techniques. When an agreeable flow of subtle sensations replaces pain, eyes light up – and there is nothing more rewarding than giving hope to someone close to giving up.

For people whose range of motion has been compromised, this necessitates a hands-on approach. I’ve worked with several clients with neurological conditions and autoimmune diseases, especially Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. In such cases, I quickly found that a combination of stretch and massage therapy provided both immediate relief and long-term benefits. During further research regarding stretch therapies with my Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clients in mind, I discovered another modality called “Fascia Stretch Therapy” (FST), which has proven to work particularly well when combined with Active Isolated Stretch (AIS). FST focuses on the autonomic nervous system (a control system that acts predominantly unconsciously and regulates many bodily functions), particularly for those with neurological conditions.

AIS and FST both increase the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the cells, thereby improving the function of cranial neurons. The difference is that AIS allows for localized treatment via stretches designed to isolate muscles and connective tissue.  FST, on the other hand, assesses and treats entire neuromyofascial chains before localizing. I am a big fan of combining modalities, and as mentioned above, AIS and FST work particularly well in conjunction. I have seen transformational results in many of my clients, well beyond what I was seeing when using either method alone, especially in those afflicted with neurological conditions - everything from correction of tissue restrictions and nerve and muscle entrapments to a reduction of rigidity, tremors, spasms, balance problems, and frozen episodes.

My patients see excellent results using these methods; however, to achieve maximum results in a shorter period, I am seeking $20,000 to purchase the STORZ Medical D-ACTOR 100, an EPAT unit, also known as an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) device. An EPAT is a medical device that non-invasively treats patients with high-energy acoustic pressure. This technology has proven to be highly effective for targeted muscle and connective tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain caused by conditions that afflict most of my clients. Specifically, this device will allow

deep, targeted internal treatments to repair damage to joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles caused by Parkinson’s Disease, MS, and many injuries.  My goal is to combine EPAT treatments with manual stretch and massage therapy to provide clients with customized, ultra-efficient, and highly effective hybrid therapy sessions.  I am also seeking $10,000 to be used for specific advanced FST training and certification costs. 

Whether it’s $2, $200, or $2,000, a huge thank you in advance for your donation and for providing individuals with neurological illnesses and autoimmune diseases the opportunity to live a better life.