About TherapyWorks

Therapy Works was started in 1998 by Laurie Connolly, Occupational Therapist, as an outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment musculoskeletal pain, both chronic and acute. Therapy Works offers a unique, comprehensive approach that involves a variety of manual therapy techniques to resolve pain and an extensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the painful symptoms so they can be eliminated permanently.

Location:
100 South I street. Suite 205.
Located in the historic Old World Building in downtown Aberdeen
CLICK MAP FOR DIRECTIONS

Contact Info:
360-532-1707
Laurie@TherapyWorksOnline.com

About Laurie Connolly

Laurie Connolly is a licensed occupational therapist, who graduated from University of Alberta in 1983. She practiced traditional occupational therapy from 1983 to 1998 in a variety of settings including home health, skilled nursing facilities and school districts.

Beginning in 1998, she began studying Myofascial Release with John Barnes, PT. After completing all 14 courses with him, she became the first instructor for Myofascial Release from Washington State in 2001. She began studying Craniosacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute in 2000 and is now an advanced practitioner in this modality.

In 2004-2005 she completed the Janet G. Travell Seminar Series in Bethesda Maryland. This is the most renowned post-graduate continuing education program in for the treatment of myofascial pain and trigger points in the world. Laurie is the only occupational therapist in the country to complete the training series. She was invited to join the faculty as their occupational therapy consultant. In 2007 she passed the national certification exam to become a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist.

Laurie has always had a special interest in the treatment of jaw pain and headaches and in 2009 she completed an advanced training course with Dr. Mariano Rocabado, PT, in Craniocervical and Craniomandibular biomechanics (TMJ and the upper cervical spine). Dr. Rocabado is the one of the world leaders in this field. Additionally, she has completed many other manual therapy seminars in joint mobilizations and Muscle Energy techniques.

Along with hands-on manual therapy Laurie also has an interest in mind-body techniques; addressing how the mind and emotions affect the body. She uses several mind-body techniques to help patients with pain and stress. She is familiar with energy medicine and has studied the scientific and esoteric perspectives.

She is knowledgeable in and uses the work of Caroline Myss, Norm Shealy, John Barnes, Nick Hall, David Simmons, Joan Borsenyko, Marty Rossman, Bruce Lipton, Candace Pert , Valerie Hunt, Brugh Joy and other spiritual and hands on healers.

Laurie has created a series of hands-on courses where she teaches other healthcare professionals this unique synergy of techniques.

She has lectured nationally on myofascial pain and trigger points.

M Y S T O R Y: Back in 1993 I was working as a home health therapist and therefore driving a lot. On November 3, 1993, I was rear-ended by a motor home going 55 miles an hour, when I was stopped. I was fortunate to survive without major injuries. At the time I was seven-months pregnant and my son survived as well. Following the accident, I experienced chronic back pain that left me unable to work full time for 4 years. In February of 1998, I decided to take a course in myofascial release from John Barnes. I didn’t know at the time how profoundly that course would change my life, both personally and professionally. By the end of that series I had no more back pain. I decided then that I wanted to do bodywork and help people with pain. I started Therapy Works the next month and over the next few years completed all of the MFR courses with John as well as courses with Upledger, courses on joint mobilizations, muscle energy techniques, mind-body and energy healing. One of the most important things I learned from John Barnes was to look at the entire body for clues to what is causing the symptoms. Early in 1999, I heard about trigger points and Drs. Travell and Simons. I bought their books and started to use them. I learned that these books held the answers to most pain issues. The concept of looking at the body for underlying issues was also part of this work. The trigger point work was so successful, I decided I needed to become credible in the trigger point work by getting certified. In 2004 - 2005 I completed the Janet Travell Seminar Series in Bethesda Maryland. This prepared me to take the national certification exam in 2007 to become a CMTPT certified myofascial trigger point therapist. In 2007, I decided to put together a training program to teach other bodyworkers how to use this unique combination of skills and philosophies to help other people with pain. 2011 will be my fifth year teaching this. I am passionate and excited every day about this work, I loved going to work and helping people.

Organizations

• Washington Occupational Therapy Association
• American Association Of Occupational Therapy
• National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists
• International Myopain Society
• American Academy of Pain Management
• American Academy of Orofacial Pain