Kurt Westbrook (Power Stretch Wellness) Active Isolated Stretching Specialist
Kurt Westbrook is a Nationally Certified Licensed Massage Therapist (MA#43734). He graduated from the National Personal Training Institute in 2005. Kurt is also a certified AFAA Personal Fitness Trainer, a certified Reiki practitioner, and a certified Qi Gong Instructor.
Kurt has over 15 years of experience which has allowed him to explore and research many modalities. Such modalities include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Sports massage, Thai massage, Myofascial, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, and Cranial Sacral massages.
Kurt’s specialization, focus, and detailed bodywork are what sets him apart from other massage therapists in the Central Florida area, in addition to, his extensive and centralized focus in Myofascial Muscle Release Technique (M.R.T.) and Active Isolated Stretching (A.I.S.) combined with the other modalities. Kurt primarily incorporates these two modalities which allow him to address and lengthen all 634 muscles in the body through deep tissue massage. Most of the non-stretching modalities can only address about half of the tissue in the body which makes them only 50% effective.
M.R.T. and A.I.S. modalities are based on a 2-second rhythmic active stretching in all angles working with the breath. These modalities allow the activation of the opposite muscle being stretched in order to use reciprocal inhibition so that the muscle being stretched can relax and be lengthened. Lengthening occurs without causing the muscle to contract (stretch reflex) – the body’s natural defense mechanism. When a stretch is held for more than 3 seconds, it activates the stretch reflex. The result is that the muscle tenses up, straining the tendons, reducing circulation and creating a muscle memory of a contracted state - not very therapeutic.
Kurt’s expertise in A.I.S. and M.R.T. brings a dynamic approach and purpose to achieve mobility, range of motion, relief, and prevention from pain. His skill allows for complete bodywork by focusing first on breaking-up scar tissue, loosening crystallization and calcification; restoring full circulation, releasing tension and lactic acid, and freeing up the joints. The result is flexibility and a true origin of rejuvenation.
Kurt’s keen knowledge of the human body structure provides him a deep understanding and empathy for the difficulty in dealing with chronic pain and discomfort; lack of enthusiasm and on-going setbacks that impact sports performance and everyday life. During a bodywork session, he does an overall analysis of each client’s needs to determine where tension is being held and how it is impacting other areas of the body. From this point on, Kurt will develop a custom plan based on each individual’s needs while also teaching the client how to maintain the progress achieved. His goal is to give the most effective and thorough therapy possible in the time allowed.