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RE•FASCIA - HOLISTIC MOVEMENT & BODYWORK

Relieve pain, release restrictions, realign joints, & restore functional movement through Fascia Stretch Therapy.

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Fascia Stretch Therapy helps you overcome your limitations.

ENHANCE FLEXIBILITY & MOBILITY
By improving joint function & glide between tissues, FST helps you move more freely and efficiently in daily life and activities.​

RELIEVE PAIN & TENSIONS

FST gently releases fascial restrictions, easing joint and muscle discomfort while calming the nervous system for lasting relief.​

ACCELERATE RECOVERY & PREVENT INJURIES
FST boosts circulation, reduces inflammation, and supports healing — ideal for post-workout recovery or injury prevention.​

IMPROVE POSTURE & STABILITY
FST rebalances your body's tension patterns (bio-tensegrity), promoting better alignment and reducing compensatory movements.

REDUCE STRESS & IMPROVE SLEEP
FST uses rhythmic, assisted stretching to calm the nervous system, helping you feel more relaxed and sleep more soundly.​

BOOST PERFORMANCE & BODY AWARENESS
FST enhances physical performance by improving coordination & mental resilience while increasing internal awareness of movement patterns.

WHAT IS FASCIA STRETCH THERAPY?

A woman practicing a physical therapy exercise on a person's arm at a clinic, with anatomical charts on the wall behind her.

Fascia Stretch Therapy (FST) is a gentle, pain-free, and highly effective approach to assisted stretching that helps you feel freer, lighter, and more at ease in your body. Unlike traditional stretching that focuses on muscles, FST works with your breath and targets fascia — the connective tissue network that surrounds and intertwines your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, organs & vessels. By addressing this vital system, FST helps relieve tension, increase flexibility, & restore balance to your entire body.

During an FST session, your practitioner uses smooth, rhythmic movements to guide your body through its full range of motion, starting with core restrictions and gradually working outward. The experience is soothing and deeply relaxing, often described as a gentle unwinding with a sense of release that allows you to move with more freedom, comfort, & ease.

FST is tailored to your unique needs, helping to address imbalances, improve posture, reduce pain, & enhance your overall well-being. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain or tension, or simply looking to improve your mobility, FST offers a holistic way to reconnect with your body and feel your best.

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HEAR PEOPLE'S FST SUCCESS STORIES

  • "I'M IMPRESSED WITH HOW SUCH A GENTLE & RELAXING THERAPY COULD BE SO EFFECTIVE"

    After my first Fascia Stretch Therapy appointment with Nelle I was amazed at how much better I felt right away. My session was deeply relaxing and regulating for my nervous system. Nelle is highly skilled and so tuned in and I felt very safe in all the stretches. I am very sensitive and I often experience structural alignment issues or pain after bodywork but after my session with Nelle I experienced increased openness and mobility and a sense of balance in my body right away. The biggest surprise was my hips! I didn’t have pain there prior so didn’t even realize how much better I could feel! I’m impressed with how such a gentle and relaxing therapy could be so deeply effective, more so and much more efficiently than so many therapies I’ve tried. Don’t hesitate booking with Nelle right away. What an amazing opportunity to feel so much more at home in your body!

    ABIGAIL

  • "WITHIN A FEW SESSIONS, MY PAIN IS ABOUT 90% GONE"

    For me, Nelle has been nothing short of a miracle worker. I came to her with chronic pain in my neck, left hip, low back and left rib cage, all of which have come and gone for years. Having Hypermobile Joint Spectrum Disorder (a type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), certain types of body work have made things worse for me in the past. But, Nelle actually specializes in this, and within a few sessions, my pain is about 90% gone. So then I decided to do the deep-dive with a package and am so glad I did. In several more sessions, she not only rebalanced my whole body to where now I'm usually pain free and energetic every day, but she taught me how to maintain the results at home with retraining everything from breathing, to how I do simple movements. I also know a few other people who've gone to Nelle for everything from shoulder to back issues, and had amazing results. Please don't waste your time on treatments that have only the most temporary results. See Nelle first- you'll be glad you did.

    CHRISTINA

  • "DAILY ACTIVIES HAVE BECOME LESS STRENUOUS AND MY MUSCLES DO NOT GET TIRED AS QUICKLY"

    "I would describe myself as a chronically uncomfortable person and I have received many different types of body work from Nelle throughout the years to try to deal with my discomfort and pain. Now, after a single 2 hour fascia stretch session, I have felt so much relief. A lot of daily activities that I do have become less strenous and my muscles do not get tired as quickly as they used to. I have also noticed that I do not have the same kind of urgency when I need to use the bathroom as I used to. I highly recommend fascial stretch therapy to anyone and everyone who has any daily discomfort or tension in there body that they never seem to be able to get rid of."

    KIMBERLY

  • "HELPED THE NERVE PAIN DOWN MY ARMS AND EASED MY CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME"

    What a wonderful experience! I went to Nelle to help with my sciatica and pain from my herniated disc, but ended up getting help with that and more! I have a lot of tension in my shoulders, and I was taught breathing techniques and other things that relaxed my neck and shoulders in a way I've never felt before. It's very hard to find anyone who knows how to work with hypermobility and EDS, so it feels like I am finally doing things that actually work for my body and don't make something else worse. I have significantly reduced pain in my neck, and I'm learning how to drive in a way that is sustainable for my back. The breathing techniques also helped the nerve pain in my arms and eased my carpal tunnel syndrome! I got so much more out of my visits than what I was hoping for, and it is so nice to have someone I feel I can trust to help me get better :)

    BEC

  • "THE MOST NOTICEABLE THING IS MY RECOVERY IS IMMEDIATE"

    After my first 90-minute FST session, I've been feeling really good! The most noticeable thing is my recovery is immediate! I went for a mountain bike ride (first time out riding since last summer) with my nephew and really pushed myself. My legs were jelly afterwards and I just knew I'd be sore the next day but my soreness was almost non-existent! When I do sit in weird positions and tense up, my discomfort is there for about 10-15 minutes and then it's gone. It doesn't linger.

    ALEX

  • "HANDS DOWN THE VERY BEST TO COMBAT MY PAIN AND RELIEVE STIFF JOINTS"

    I have tried dozens of modalities and methods to treat chronic pain and Nelle’s methods have been hands down the very best to combat my pain and relieve stiff joints! Her thirst for knowledge and ongoing education is so impressive and refreshing. I feel so fortunate to have met her!

    LANDRA

A young woman with tan skin, brown hair with bangs, and a friendly smile, standing outdoors in front of a tree with colorful autumn leaves.

MEET NELLE, YOUR FST SPECIALIST

Nelle Churchill CFSP, NMT, is a Certified Level 4 Fascia Stretch Therapy Specialist and Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist practicing in Penngrove, CA. Her personal journey through chronic pain, hypermobility, & injuries has given her a deep, firsthand understanding of how pain and physical limitations impact one’s quality of life.

Determined to heal herself, Nelle delved into the world of bodywork and somatic therapies, driven by a desire to understand the body’s inner workings and address pain at its source. Over 8 years, she earned multiple certifications and explored diverse modalities. It was during this journey that she discovered FASCIA STRETCH THERAPY (FST) — a transformative approach that not only alleviated her pain but also reshaped her life and career.

“For me, FST holistically integrates the essential components of healing: movement, fascia, stretching, strengthening, stabilizing, and, most importantly, the nervous system—all in a safe, nurturing way that supports the body’s natural ability to restore balance and well-being.”

Today, Nelle is dedicated to sharing the profound benefits of FST with her clients, helping them reclaim ease, mobility, and well-being. She works full-time as a Fascia Stretch Practitioner alongside her mother, Robin, a seasoned bodyworker and nutrition educator with over 50 years of experience. Together, they bring a unique, generational approach to holistic care.

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FST FAQs

  • FST is suitable for people of all ages, lifestyles, and body types.

    • People with chronic or complex pain situations looking for relief

    • Anyone looking to restore mobility, including post-injury, surgery, or joint-replacement

    • People on the hypermobility spectrum (HSD) including Ehlers-Danlos (hEDS)

    • People who sit a lot — office workers, long-distance commuters, & those living a more sedentary lifestyle

    • Seniors or individuals who struggle to be active on their own.

    • Athletes at any level including professional, fitness enthusiasts, & weekend warriors

    • Really anyone cleared by their physician for stretching and physical activity.

  • FST works differently from other bodywork or self-stretching methods by engaging not just muscles but the entire neuromyofascial system — including muscles, joints, bones, and nerves (even organs and vessels).

    Key components of FST are the use of traction and compression to separate the tissues that are stuck together and stabilize the tissues that have too much movement. The goal is to rebalance the body’s bio-tensegrity (the equilibrium of tension and compression throughout the body) for better force distribution though the joints so no one area receives too much strain.

  • FST is designed to be pain-free. It is radically opposite from the "no pain, no gain" philosophy. So NO, FST does not and should not hurt.

    Stretch awareness is a normal part of the session, however the overall intention is 100% avoidance of pain and joint pinching. Active communication between the practitioner and client is key to keeping the session safe and productive.

    FST focuses on creating an environment where the nervous system can relax and feel safe enough to allow meaningful tension release in the muscles and fascia. After a session, you'll feel deeply relaxed with increased pliability, comfort, & ease in your joints and muscles.

  • After an FST session, people often experience a sense a deep relaxation with increased flexibility in their joints and muscles. Many people also enjoy a restful, deep sleep the night following their session.

    It's not unusual for some people to experience some soreness the next day, which is a perfectly normal response post-session as inflammation and waste products leave the tissues and healing, new blood comes in. This usually subsides within a day or 2, leaving you feeling more relaxed and often with reduced pain and discomfort.

    FAST AFTERCARE:

    • HYDRATION: Drink plenty of water with electrolytes throughout the day to help rehydrate your fascia and muscles.

    • NUTRITION: The body needs protein in order to rebuild, so make sure to eat some or take amino acids to help with the repair we have enabled the body to perform. Avoid sugars and processed foods that cause inflammation and soreness to linger longer than necessary.

    • ACTIVITY: While it's usually best to take it easy after your session, some moderate activity is fine if you prefer. Listen to your body, and don't push it if it is telling you it needs rest!

  • Please wear loose or stretchy clothing, similar to what you would wear for a workout or yoga class such as shorts, sweatpants, leggings, loose T-shirt, etc.

    PEASE NO JEANS.

    The session is performed fully clothed so no need to undress.

  • Clients will typically notice an immediate increase in mobility and a substantial reduction of pain within the first few FST sessions.

    Be aware that everyone's starting place is different and some conditions may require treatments over time for complete resolution & healing.

  • Great Question!

    The frequency/length of FST sessions depends on your specific needs/goals, the type of pain/challenges you're experiencing, & your personal exercise/mobility routines.

    For acute pain or discomfort, Nelle typically recommend sessions 1-2 times per week. (See TRANSFORMATION or MAINTENANCE PLANS on PRICING page.)

    Once you have achieved your goal/your pain subsides, periodic maintenance is suggested with the recommended frequency being something you discuss with Nelle.

    As a rule, longer sessions closer together achieves results faster; however you will still progress even if you can only do sessions periodically.

    Needs can be separated into 4 different categories, and below are the recommendations for each.

    ACTIVE HEALING

    This is the acute stage of healing after an injury or the starting point of addressing a long-term problem.

    Longer sessions (60 minutes minumum. 90 minutes best) closer together (1x/ week minimum. 2x/week best) are recommendedat this stage for the most efficent results.

    MAINTENANCE

    A generally healthy person with minor body/joint problems will benefit from sessions on a maintenance schedule such as (60-90 minutes, 1x- 2x/month).

    LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT

    A person in this category is dealing with (A.) chronic, long-term issues or (B.) conditions like congenital scoliosis or certain types structural damage from injury/surgery that could make complete healing difficult to achieve.

    For chronic conditions that require healing over a longer timeline, I recommend discussing with your FST provider for a personalized plan of care as to how often/how long it is recommeded to receive sessions.

    ATHLETIC/SPORTS PREP

    For the day of athletic/sports events, a (45 minute) FST session at a quicker pace amps up the sympathetic nervous system to prepare the body for athletic activity by improving reaction time, flexibility, & strength for optimal performance.

    For correcting body imbalances that affect athletic performance, longer restorative sessions of (60 or 90 minutes) are the way to go.

  • Absolutely! As someone with hypermobility herself, Nelle benefits greatly from FST and receives it regularly.

    Every individual with hypermobility is unique, so sessions are tailored to their specific needs. While hypermobile people don’t necessarily need to increase their range of motion, the intention with FST becomes improving joint stability, safe movement, and increasing proprioception.

    Sessions are adjusted to reduce or eliminate traction, support joints, and address specific restrictions in joint capsules that prevent normal movement. With gentle, collaborative techniques and open communication, FST ensures safety and effectiveness.

    If you experience post-session discomfort, share feedback with Nelle so adjustments can be made for your comfort and progress.

  • FST offers significant benefits for athletes beyond addressing pain.

    By enhancing flexibility, FST helps prevent injuries commonly associated with sports and physical activities. It also effectively addresses postural imbalances, movement dysfunctions, improper muscle firing patterns, and neural dysfunctions—all of which can contribute to injury if left unaddressed.

    In addition to improving circulation and reducing of inflammation, athletes will heal better and recover faster in between events and training so they are and can stay at the top of their game.

  • I understand life happens and emergencies do come up, and since your appointment time has been reserved especially for you I ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule or cancel.

    Cancellations within 24 hours will be charged 50% of the appointment.

    No-shows will be charged full price.

FST IN ACTION

  • A woman performing physical therapy exercises on a patient's leg with a therapist assisting, in a clinical setting with posters of exercises on the wall.
  • A woman assists a man with his leg in a physical therapy session, with a treatment table and therapy equipment visible in the background.
  • A woman practicing physical therapy with a therapist holding a patient's leg. The therapist is demonstrating a stretch or exercise in a room with therapy equipment and posters about body anatomy and movement.
  • A woman performs a chiropractic adjustment on a man lying face down on a treatment table in a clinic or therapy room.
  • Physical therapist performing manual therapy on a patient's neck in a clinic with medical posters and Japanese art decor
  • A woman providing physical therapy or chiropractic treatment to a person lying face down on a treatment table in a therapy or medical room filled with anatomical charts, educational posters, and exercise equipment.
  • A woman is performing a physical therapy or massage on a man lying on a treatment table. The woman is standing and pressing on the man's shoulder, who has his eyes closed. The room has medical posters, exercise balls, and medical supplies.
  • A woman treating a man lying on a medical examination table in a clinic or physical therapy room, with medical charts and a stability ball on the wall behind them.
  • A person is receiving a chiropractic adjustment from a female chiropractor on a treatment table covered with a celestial patterned blanket, in a medical or therapy room with charts, medical supplies, and exercise equipment.
  • A woman is sitting on a treatment table with her leg raised, wearing a black sock, while a female therapist, holding the woman's foot, is standing beside her in a therapy or medical setting with posters of human anatomy and pain patterns visible on the walls.
  • A woman performs a physical therapy exercise on a man lying face down on a therapy table in a clinic, with medical charts and equipment visible in the background.
  • A woman is lying on top of a man who is reclining on a massage table with a happy expression. The woman is smiling at the camera with a joyful look. The scene appears to be in a chiropractic or physical therapy office, with anatomical charts, a clock, and various medical tools and posters visible in the background.
  • A physical therapy session where a woman is assisting a person with knee rehabilitation exercises on a therapy table, in a clinic with posters of stretching exercises on the wall.
  • A woman performing a leg stretch exercise with a healthcare professional assisting, in a therapy or rehabilitation setting with anatomical posters and equipment in the background.
  • Treatment room with massage table, exercise balls, exercise swing, charts, and medical equipment inside a therapy or chiropractic clinic.
  • A woman performing physical therapy on a man lying on a therapy table, in a medical or therapy clinic with anatomical charts and exercise equipment in the background.
  • A woman working with a physical therapist on a knee exercise in a rehabilitation or physiotherapy clinic, with medical posters and anatomical charts on the walls.