I’ve been practicing sports and orthopedic massage since 2019, and my approach to bodywork is deeply influenced by my lifelong experience as an athlete. Over the years I’ve spent countless hours trail running, training for triathlons, mountain biking, and hiking. Like many athletes, I’ve experienced both the exhilaration of movement and the frustration of injury. Those experiences shaped the way I see the body. I’ve come to believe that repair and restoration are essential parts of lifelong health, not just something we turn to after things go wrong.
Before entering the massage field, I worked as an environmental scientist. That background gave me a strong analytical mindset and a deep respect for science-based thinking. It also helped shape the way I approach anatomy and bodywork. Even before discovering Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, I tended to think systemically about the body, following patterns of tension and compensation to help clients regain better muscle function and movement awareness.
I graduated from the Bancroft School of Massage and also hold bachelor’s degrees in Business and Environmental Science. Alongside my bodywork practice, I’m a NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and a UESCA Ultramarathon Coach. These roles allow me to work with clients from multiple perspectives, helping them move better, perform better, and recover more effectively.
I first discovered MAT after hearing several respected practitioners talk about Erik Dalton and the effectiveness of his work. After speaking with colleagues about their experiences, I decided to attend an in-person workshop. It didn’t take long for me to realize how unique and comprehensive the system is.
What I appreciate most about MAT is how intelligently the techniques are designed. The work uses the client’s neurology to optimize release, emphasizes gradual change without painful interventions, and focuses on common pathologies therapists encounter every day. At the same time, the techniques are structured in ways that support practitioner longevity and client comfort. MAT also provides a whole-body system rather than isolated techniques, which aligns well with how I naturally think about movement and function.
Integrating MAT into my practice has given me greater confidence when working with complex cases. I always feel like I have a starting point and multiple ways to approach a problem. The MAT technique library is also an incredible resource when unusual conditions appear in the treatment room. I regularly draw from Erik’s work on balancing hips, leveling the head, repositioning shoulders, and using bones as functional levers.
For therapists interested in MAT, my advice is simple: attend an in-person class and experience the work firsthand. Even better, receive a treatment from a Master Myoskeletal Therapist. That direct experience is the best way to understand how powerful and comprehensive this system truly is.
Sam Farnsworth
Concord, Massachusetts
9784675371
