Archives: Practitioners

Hi Anne here,

I originally started Strain Counterstrain in 2011 as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. I continued studying with The Jone Institute venturing into Fascial Counterstrain. I opened my own business, Kaspar Health and Wellness LLC on October 31, 2018 as a Licensed Massage Therapist in Waverly Iowa.

I have passion for Fascial Counterstrain. I enjoy working with clients to have them feel better using these great techniques.

I continue my education through The Jones Institute and the Counterstrain Academy and Conventions.

I would love to work with you.

“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.

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.