ABOUT ANDY & treatments

Andy Mertens is a certified QEST (Quantum Energetics Structured Therapy) practitioner, T’ai Chi Ch'uan instructor and student of John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR). The Jefferson, Wis. native earned a Bachelors of Science from the New Physiology Institute and is a graduate of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. He has played the string bass professionally for 30 years.

Andy has written a series of articles for Nature's Pathways on the topic of T'ai Chi and has been featured in several local and state publications for his accolades as a musician. He has held workshops and demonstrations at UW-Oshkosh, Oshkosh Public Schools and Verve Credit Union, to name a few. His band, The Jazz Orgy, is a two-time winner of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Award for Best Jazz Band (2010/2017) and Andy has been nominated many times for WAMI’s Best Bass Player award.

Andy's interest in holistic health, T’ai Chi and learning QEST began after experiencing numbness in his hands due to many years of playing the string bass. He found that T’ai Chi taught him how to relax and move more efficiently, which vastly improved his playing. Inspired by the self-healing power of this art, he opened the Oshkosh T’ai Chi Center in Oshkosh, Wis. in 2008 to benefit the people in his community. In his late 20's, Andy found a QEST practitioner who helped him resolve a severe digestive problem. He discovered that the core principles of QEST were similar to Chinese medicine and T’ai Chi, so he decided to study with QEST teachers Riesa Liebergen and her mentor, Dr. Bernie Finch, D.C.

Always curious to learn about new theories and healing modalities, Andy began seeing a highly-skilled John F. Barnes-trained myofascial release therapist for his shoulder pain. He was so impressed with MFR that he began to study with John in Sedona, Arizona and added the teacher's philosophies and techniques to his own QEST energetic work.

Whenever possible, Andy enjoys teaching workshops and giving presentations at area businesses. He also manages to keep an impressive weekly schedule of treating clients, teaching T'ai Chi and playing gigs, in between spending time with his family.

WHAT DO I DO FOR A CLIENT?

      First, I assess what the client may need -

• Mostly, I incorporate the principles and hands-on techniques I learned personally from John F. Barnes.

• During a session I may teach a client how to use T’ai Chi postures and stretches.

• I may use energy directed into acupuncture points and soft tissue mobilization.

Please contact me directly if you have questions and would like to schedule an appointment:  Phone: 262-853-4526

WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY:

(Excerpt from the web site of John F. Barnes)

"Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.)

The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each patient as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which our therapists use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, self treatment instruction, enhancement of strength, improved flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.

Hands-On Treatment:
Each Myofascial Release Treatment session is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or machinery. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia."

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL:

As a professional singer, my health plays a crucial roll in my ability to perform, teach and create, thus sustaining my livelihood!  I was first introduced to (QEST) because of the effect the rigors of travel had on me.  Various time zones, lack of good sleep, poor diet.  I had terrible fluid build-up in ears and throat and the pressure of plane travel became excruciating.  I was put on steroids and that worsened my condition, affecting my ability to focus and perform. When I started with (QEST), I was open-minded and through Andy's guidance and homeopathic treatments, my reoccurring situation was treated.
When Andy began with MFR, I was all in.  I'm a Yogini so embracing the concept that the body can do much healing through movement and manipulation is not foreign to me.  Andy has been able to determine energy blockages and through his MFR work, has released many discomforts from low back pain to acid-reflux, lung and sinus problems, to foot pain.  I've referred many people to Andy because I trust his continued study and his path in healing others. He's helped me and all I can do is share the goodness.

-  Janet Planet (Washatka), Oshkosh, Wis.