“I always knew I wanted to be in a helping profession so I could make a real difference in the lives of others. Physical therapy has been the perfect field for me, and I’ve grown to appreciate it more and more over the past 30+ years. I love being able to see the physical and emotional transformation that happens with healing when you’re feeling better and able to function again. It changes your whole outlook on life. Few things in life are more rewarding than seeing my patients experience that transformation and newfound freedom.”
A more personal, involved approach
“I am fortunate to have an incredible team who enjoys their work transforming lives. They share my philosophy of doing everything possible to help, and letting you know that you really matter to us. Many PT offices have changed how they do business, with each therapist seeing multiple patients at a time. We believe each patient deserves our undivided attention. Not only that, we are continually seeking the latest training and techniques to ensure we do all we can to bring relief and healing to our patients. I’m proud of my entire team, my colleagues, who agree that the best way to provide physical therapy is by focusing intensely on one patient at a time.”
Laren graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Baltimore in 2008, and has been refining her manual therapy skills ever since, especially since discovering fascial counterstrain. She works in Gaithersburg in her own private practice, allowing 1:1 focus on her patients. In addition to treating patients with manual therapy, she is a Certified Nutrition Specialist, helping maximize her patient’s total body health.
David Dalbey , August, 2019
Laura Mathias has been a physical therapist since January 2007 when she graduated from Saint Louis University with her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Saint Louis University as well. She has been passionate about learning and treating her patients with Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) since she was a physical therapist intern in 2006, when the physical therapist who was mentoring her tried every traditional physical therapy approach to help Laura with her severe chronic sciatica pain to no avail. He finally tried Counterstrain on Laura, and she had immediate relief. Laura immediately knew she wanted to learn Counterstrain due to the significant difference in pain she experienced, unlike any of the traditional approaches she had learned in PT school which had not helped her pain.
In April 2008, Laura began practicing Strain/Counterstrain, the original Counterstrain technique developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones, DO, JSCCI. She now uses primarily Fascial Counterstrain in her treatments, developed by Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, JSCCI. Fascial Counterstrain is a cutting-edge, extremely effective manual technique that gently unlocks the body’s healing potential. This allows Laura to help patients that have been seeking answers (but still struggling) with their pain, stiffness, weakness, organ dysfunction, numbness, tingling, etc.
Laura enjoys educating her patients and incorporates nutrition and holistic wellness (as needed/requested) to help individuals get back to their best selves. She loves tango dancing, spending time with friends and family, and her new husband and goldendoodle. She enjoys volunteering, trying new restaurants and recipes, and traveling in the USA and abroad.
Karen Messersmith, MPT, owner of Athletes Aligned, has been a physical therapist for 33 years. She attended the US Army-Baylor University Physical Therapy program and graduated in March 1990 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Karen took her first Strain Counterstrain class in 1997. After that first class, she knew she had been introduced to something really unique and special. After using this technique for years and getting results with her patients, she was eager to take the new Fascial Counterstrain classes to advance her skills! Karen uses this whole body approach to help align the body to maximize its performance and feel better. With 33 years of outpatient orthopedic experience, Karen has lots of tricks and tools to use to help you. She prides herself in not only treating her clients but teaching them how to use home tools to maximize their performance too. She has worked with athletes before major competitions or races and post events to facilitate recovery. She can also help you stay “Aligned” where you perform better every day!
Karen has a true passion for helping others maximize their health and through her hands on treatments, wellness products, and teaching, and she is achieving this! Let her know how she can help you and people you know.
N/A
As an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, I treat the whole person in addition to the injury or condition. Having experienced relief from fascial counterstrain treatment and studied the courses with the Jones Institute and Counterstrain Academy, I now rely on FCS treatment to help clients gain relief and resolution of pain, swelling, and stiffness. Prior academic studies includes a degree in occupational therapy from Pacific University, Certificate in Hand and Upper Quarter from Drexel University, and a doctorate in occupational therapy, hand therapy track, from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
