About Richard

Pain Specialist – Richard Finn BA, LMT, CMTPT, MCSTT

Richard is the author of "Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple."  A self treatment book that teaches you how to deal with your own pain utilizing a 4 step process of:



1.  Treating the region of your spine that controls the area of the pain.
2.  Flossing the nerve that connects the area of pain to the spine.
Treating the Trigger Point in the affected muscle.
4.  Re-establishing normal movement in the muscle by utilizing a 3 step movement protocol.

A pain specialist is just what it sounds like.  Is your pain new or old?  Does it keep you from doing things at work or with kids or grandkids.  We have an approach for that.

The approach is simple. 

·        Calm down the nervous system and begin moving.

·        Look for the things that keep the nervous system on alert.

·        Start to move in non painful ways.

This is what your body needs and wants.

Don’t look for or expect a specific technique.  That is not what pain treatment is about.  Your nervous system gets to decide what works and there is no one size fits all technique.  Instead – I listen to your story.  That helps me decide what approach I might take.  My technique varies based on your response.  This is all about helping you discover what your nervous system needs.

Why this approach?  This approach is taken because of how modern pain science tells us your body reacts.  When your brain senses that danger is afoot it often creates pain.  This is a message that your body uses tell you to Withdraw from the pain.  This is like hitting your thumb with a hammer.  Your response is immediate.  You just can’t help it.  You pull your thumb away.  Then you Protect it.  You hold it to keep it safe.  This is where most people are at when they come in for treatment.  Their muscles pull them into a protective cocoon.  This tightening up protects us but tends to keep the blood that carries important “stuff” like oxygen and food to your nerves. Therapy aims to take you toward Resolution.  In this phase you begin to move, the nerves get their nutrients, oxygen and other needed chemicals.  Most importantly, your brain doesn’t sense a threat and tells the body to relax.  It stops – you get relief.

I recommend wearing a tee shirt and running shorts to treatment.  This gives me access to skin if I need it.  Most importantly – you get to be comfortable!

Work

Occupation

Massage Therapist, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, Microcurrent Specialist

Skills

Pain Treatment, Trigger Point Therapy, Massage Therapy, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, Avazzia Microcurrent

Employment

Self Employed

Massage Therapist/Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, 1989 - Present

I have worked as a therapist since 1989. My specialty has been in treating people with pain using gentle massage techniques and movement.

Pittsburgh School of Pain Management

Director/Instructor, 1995 - 2013

I began working here when it was called The Academy for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy. It became the Pittsburgh School of Pain Management and was a non profit until purchased and renamed the Institute of Medical Careers.

Education

Trinity College and Seminary

Biblical Counseling 2014

Academy for Myotherapy and Physical Fitness

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, 1988 – 1989

Academy of Health Sciences Fort Sam Houston Tx

Physical Therapy Specialist USAR, 1984