Archives: Practitioners

Chris Edwards, DO

Dr. Chris Edwards, DO, has been specializing in treating all kinds of body pains and disorders, including pain during pregnancy, infant disorders, head, neck, and back pain, and craniosacral issues for the last 10 years. He is board-certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (C-NMM/OMM) and has over a decade of training in medicine and OMT. He has a passion for helping patients in all stages of life, particularly during pregnancy, post-partum, and infancy.

In addition to private practice, he also is active in teaching the next generation of physicians at Rocky Vista University in Ivins, UT.

Maria-Sofia Paco, LMT, MA Psyc, QMHP

I‘m a mental health professional and diversified licensed medical massage therapist, as well as the founder of Transformative Therapeutics NW. I specialize in systemic therapy and trauma care by incorporating somatic therapy with counterstrain theories in a holistic approach to improve my patient’s quality of life through mental health, healing touch, self-empowerment, and holistic wellness. I work with children, adults, and the elderly struggling with learning disabilities, complex orthopedic, muscular and non-musculoskeletal acute and chronic pain, in addition to mental and emotional challenges due to their traumatic experiences. My aim is to help those experiencing chaos and struggle find their center and create new possibilities in their lives—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Janice Halteman, LAc, DAOM

Janice completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2012 and practices a gentle Japanese style acupuncture. After encountering the subtle and transformational effects of fascial counterstrain through a local practitioner she recognized the synergy between these modalities of physical medicine and so began her study of fascial counterstrain in 2021. She practices a blend of these sublime arts from a small home based practice. Appointments can be made through the website at PuddletownAcupuncture.com.

Mary Beth C Johnson, PT, MPT, CSC1, JSCC

Mary Beth Johnson is a licensed physical therapist in Solvang, California, with 30 years of experience. In her practice, she employs a personalized, targeted approach to every patient, focusing on total recovery and addressing the root cause of underlying issues.

After having earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Chapman University, she became aware of Strain Counterstrain. In 2005 she began taking classes with the Jones Institute.

In 2020 Mary Beth completed the mentorship program and became Jones Certified in Strain Counterstrain (JSCC). She began taking Fascial Counterstrain courses in 2013 and completed her Level 1 Fascial Counterstrain certification in December, 2024 (CSC1).

Additionally, Mary Beth is also a trained practitioner in Reiki. She is the founder and CEO of The Healing Project Physical Therapy, a private outpatient practice on California’s central coast, where she uses counterstrain on a daily basis. Mary Beth has also recently opened Fiore Physical Therapy in Santa Barbara, California, which is a private practice focused on counterstrain therapy.

Amy McDowell, PT

I became a physical therapist after pursuing a career in ballet. I was first introduced to Counterstrain techniques by coworkers and I was impressed by how they used the techniques to successfully treat patients with complicated histories and a lot of chronic pain. I began taking courses through the Jones Institute in 1999 and started the Academy courses in 2019. I am looking forward to further perfecting my skills through the Academy. Aside from my PT degree, I have a BFA in dance and have studied Pilates exercise and the Schroth Method for scoliosis.

Natalia Drolette, LMT

I’m Massage Therapist Sense November 2010, and Fascia Counterstrain