The Teacher

Michael Critz has been a massage therapist since 1993. Most of his career has been spent working in the rehabilitative field working hand in hand with chiropractic and medical professionals including orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, license professional counselors and psychologists.

Michael also works in the athletic arena, particularly with martial arts athletes. His experience using rehabilitative techniques on these athletes has taught him to be proficient in addressing a variety of acute injuries.

Michael began his teaching career during his 25 years in the electronics industry, training sales people to sell electronic components. Through the years, Michael has painstakingly designed a protocol that he calls the Critz Technique™. This technique is a combination of Classic Muscle Energy Technique, Positional Release Therapy, and Cross Fiber Friction Massage in a specific sequence that has proven to successfully eliminate chronic pain conditions in most people. Michael's experience in rehabilitative techniques, has made him a creditable well-respected clinical massage therapist and teacher.

The Critz Technique™

The Critz Technique™ is not a chiropractic treatment or trigger point therapy. This protocol is strictly soft tissue releases designed to restore balance to the musculoskeletal system naturally utilizing Classic Muscle Energy Technique, Positional Release Therapy, and Cross Fiber Friction Massage. This nonabrasive approach to body work is gentle on the client and will add years to the therapist's career. Assessment is the most important part of this work. Therefore, strong assessment skills are taught in the Critz Technique™ class. One benefit of this work is the client does not remove any clothing. The Critz Technique™ is all about zero pain. Therapists trained in the Critz Technique™ will have a better understanding of musculoskeletal imbalances and how to correct them. Ultimately most clients leave the table with zero pain. Learning the Critz Technique™ will enhance the therapists opportunities to work in the medical, rehabilitative, and the athletic fields.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) was developed by Fred Mitchell, Sr., D.O. and presented in the book An Evaluation and Treatment Manual of Osteopathic Muscle Energy Procedures (1979).

Positional Release Technique (PRT) is a technique of reducing tender points in the soft tissues by passively placing the patient in a position where light digital pressure on the tender point is no longer painful, and then holding that position for approximately 90 seconds.

MET and PRT are the primary techniques used in the Critz Technique™. Michael has learned that certain muscle groups tend to release better with MET whereas other muscle groups tend to release better with PRT. The marriage of these two techniques are perfect for erasing chronic pain conditions. The Critz Technique™ is safe and gentle on the client and the therapist. Therapists practicing the Critz Technique™ protocol have immediate success in achieving ZERO PAIN.

The Critz Technique™ for the Lumbar and Hips

Pain Management Seminar

In this class you will learn to address contractile tissues that cause side-bending of the lumbar vertebrae, what may to appear to rotation of individual vertebrae, hip rotations/tilts and short arm/leg syndrome. Save your thumbs, this deep tissue work is done without all the digging, pushing, and jamming which is made easy for the therapist and is easy on the client.

The Critz Technique™ for Carpal Tunnel

All Critz classes begin with the Psoas Major muscle except the Critz Technique™ for Chair Massage. In the Carpal Tunnel Class you learn how to access and release all the muscles that contribute to the carpal tunnel conditions.

Learning the Critz Technique™ for Carpal Tunnel is easy for the therapist and easy on the client. YOU'LL LOVE IT!