About Erik Dalton
Creator of Myoskeletal Alignment TEchniques®
A Leading Educator in Bodywork: Erik Dalton PhD
Erik Dalton, PhD, has been a manual therapist for more than four decades and a leading bodywork educator for more than 30 years. Dalton earned his clinical psychology and philosophy degrees from the University of Oklahoma. A seminar featuring Dr. Ida Rolf launched him on an impassioned mind-body adventure, leading Dalton to study at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, the Menninger Foundation, the Mueller College of Holistic Studies, and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dalton has long been fascinated by the patterns of pain that recur in people from all walks of life. As he began to see that neck and back pain occur at almost epidemic rates, Dalton set out to develop a streamlined yet comprehensive way to effectively address that pain. He took the most holistic approach possible, studying not only anatomy, but also the complex impact of the nervous system on human structure. Post-graduate workshops with legendary osteopath Dr. Philip Greenman sparked the desire to integrate joint and connective-tissue techniques into his own pain management practice.
Through his studies and practice as a manual therapist, it became apparent to Dalton that mind and body cannot be separated, and that physical pain is deeply connected to the nervous system. Using this knowledge, he began to develop a system of manual therapy to address pain patterns and movement disorders at their very core. He called this system Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques (MAT)® — and as he watched it work wonders on clients with chronic pain, Dalton knew he had to share MAT with others.
In 1998, he released one of the industry’s first nationally approved home study courses, titled “Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques®.” Overwhelmed by the positive response, Dalton decided to open his own teaching facility with a full MAT training curriculum. He licensed the facility with the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools and named it the Freedom From Pain Institute.
In addition to founding this MAT training facility, Dalton has written three bestselling bodywork textbooks and created a full slate of online continuing education courses. A perpetual student himself, Dalton continues to study pain management from every angle. Inspired by the latest advances in brain imaging, he has begun exploring the brain’s role in chronic pain — and now blends this exciting research into his brain-based bodywork teachings.
Dalton is a lifetime member of the International Association for the Study of Pain and an affiliate faculty member at the Indiana State University Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation. In 2012, Indiana State became the first major university in America to offer Dalton’s Advanced Myoskeletal Massage Therapy program as a minor degree in massage.
Dalton was inducted in the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2012, he received the One Concept Lifetime Achievement Award. Along with his busy teaching and writing endeavors, Dalton maintained a private manual therapy practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for more than 40 years.
Erik and his two overly optimistic dogs split their time between Oklahoma City and Santiago, Costa Rica. Erik Dalton died suddenly of a heart attack while swimming laps at his Costa Rica home on January 11th, 2025 on his 81st birthday.
As Erik intended, his daughter, Dr. Adrienne Kesinger is stepping into the leadership role at the Freedom from Pain Institute and Dalton Myoskeletal as Executive Director.
Continuing a Legacy in Bodywork: Dr Adrienne Kesinger, MD
Adrienne Kesinger, M.D., has dedicated her career to understanding the human body, first through medicine and now through the continuation of her father’s pioneering work in manual therapy. Since high school, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine, ultimately choosing primary care as her focus. She became board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, allowing her to provide comprehensive care for patients at all stages of life. She has practiced for more than a decade at INTEGRIS Family Care South in Oklahoma City, where she has been a trusted physician and advocate for patient-centered care.
Adrienne has been part of the Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques (MAT) journey from the very beginning—literally. She fondly recalls helping her father compile his first educational materials in the family garage, collating books and VHS tapes alongside her high school friends. Later, she worked for him before medical school, organizing his published articles and managing early business operations. Erik often joked that he would have been just as happy if she had stayed to run the business instead of becoming a doctor.
Following Erik’s passing in early 2025, Adrienne took on the role of managing the business as Executive Director, ensuring that his life’s work continues to thrive. Her husband, pharmacist Jason Kesinger, will be joining her in the role of Assistant Executive Director. While the core principles of Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques will remain intact, the method will continue to evolve through the dedicated educators Erik entrusted with teaching his approach. Adrienne’s leadership will help preserve the integrity of MAT while optimizing how it is shared with the next generation of bodyworkers.
Beyond her medical career and leadership role in MAT, Adrienne enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and reading mystery novels. She has also been a familiar face on Oklahoma’s FOX25 “What’s Going Around” health segment, sharing insights on seasonal health trends.
With a lifelong passion for helping people live pain-free, Adrienne is honored to uphold her father’s legacy—ensuring that his knowledge and techniques continue to reach and benefit therapists worldwide.
