Westgate

Fixed in just 6 sessions! I write very few reviews, but when I get AMAZING SERVICE (something rare in this world today), I SHOUT IT FROM A MOUNTAIN TOP!
I was referred to Michael for some treatment for pain in my chins, legs, and hips a few years ago by my nutritionist, Willie Victor of Essentials for Health in Corte Madera. My experience was fantastic! Michael was patient, informative in his explanations of «why flip flops were no longer my friend» (bummer), and with a few treatments and some at-​home exercises, my problems were fixed.
Michael would always make jokes about my «Extreme Body», as I push myself to my limits and my body takes a pretty brutal beating for this. This time, I was having hand pain and upper arm/​shoulder pain and figured I tore my rotator cuff, yikes)! Off to see Michael again. (Dang computer posture was the culprit, but no surgery needed, yeah)! On our 4^th session, I could really see a difference, and on the 5^th session I emailed Michael because my pain was gone. (Apparently, I need to stretch out this «getting older» Extreme Body of mine… Really? Go figure)!
Michael’s treatments were fantastic, but the best part was that he sent me home with exercises to «fix myself» and he praised me for actually doing those exercises, so that I was not having to commit to weekly sessions with him («if» I did the work at home — IF being the operative word).
Michael’s goal is to get you «off his table». He truly has a motivation to HELP his clients feel great and to get better — to get healthy. When I tweak out my body (with my Extreme «Go Go Go lifestyle» of selling Real Estate), it is reassuring to know that when I go see Michael, he always addresses the problem immediately, but gives me a goal to help to «fix myself».
He has a great attitude about life, health, fitness, nutrition, balance, and having overall happiness in your life. Now, I’m learning to calm my mind through meditation and even trying yoga for stretching. Michael opened me up to these ideas by referring me to classes, and even though I have never considered myself to be a «Woo-​Woo» person, I am really enjoying these options for «taking care of myself first». What a concept, eh?
Got pain? Go see Michael first. I promise you will not be disappointed and will want to shout YOUR STORY from a mountain top, too!
Candace Nordstrom, Marin County Realtor,

I went to see Mr. Westgate for hip pain and tension. He is not only extremely knowledgable but also has a very compelling demeanor and bed side manner. This guy cares. He offered useful exercises and resources. His interest in developing his skills really impressed me. I feel very confident recommending Westgate Therapy, he leads with his heart not his ego: Willing to enter into a collaboration so I know what he‘s doing and why, where I need to focus my attention and how I might be contributing to the trouble in the first place. He made appropriate referrals to help me get to the place I needed to with my progress.
Schedule an appointment!

I injured my rotator cuff last spring and had been experiencing pain and limited range of motion for the last 7 months.
Friends with similar injuries had to undergo surgery and I was concerned that I might need the same. As a person who participates in sports and exercise 5 days a week (boot camp, trail and race running, mountain climbing, and golf), this was not good.
I heard that Westgate Therapy’s trigger point might be able to help me. So I went in for an assessment and treatment.
OMG. Why did I not go sooner? No more pain and better range of motion now for the treated arm and shoulder than the healthy one. Surgery averted and I can begin rebuilding my physical fitness.
Michael Westgate was incredibly professional informative, and thorough with great advice for not just my shoulder but holistically.
So grateful for the healing.

Michael Westgate is an expert healer and a the top of his field. Recently, I went to Michael the day before a ski trip with a 3-​year old knee injury. I was hoping to ski the next day but wasn’t really confident that my knee would be in good shape. In one treatment he helped me ski the very next day! I have an acupuncture practice and send my patients to Michael to get out of pain quickly.

I have had a bad back for 30 years, ranging from a loose SI joint, herniated discs in L¾ and L4/​5 area, and scoliosis. I have travelled with dance companies over my career and always had the benefit of a great PT who understands kinesiology, trigger point, etc. Michael is also one of these incredible talents who understands that problems in one area of the body are triggered by issues which stem from connections to other points in the body. From a complete inability to change position due to striking pain, Michael had me up and moving freely after 3 sessions. I cannot recommend a better therapy for anyone with back pain and I have been through it all. I will continue to see him for preventative therapy as well.

After a back injury threatened to derail my life, I was lucky to find Michael Westgate through a friends recommendation.
Following my injury when nothing seemed to help, I saw Michael sometimes twice a week because his unique neuromuscular work was one of the only things that provided relief.
The work I did with Michael paid off as I am now living a lifestyle I could imagine during the nadir of my injury. Michael’s work was more than palliative, it allowed me to be stay active and facilitated a very significant recovery in my back.
In addition to being a talented practitioner, Michael reinforced a patient approach to my healing process which paid off. He is personable and caring. Michael combines his extensive training in human biology, physiology, diet and even fine art to help his patients. I highly recommend Michael Westgate.

Ok…52 year old guy thinks he wants to run a marathon… I know you all are thinking «Mid life Crisis»…but I can’t afford the Maserati so…
I start a training program and actually FOLLOW it, gently running progressively a little more each week until: serious calf pain, and I’m not running and following my training program.
Not only did two sessions alleviate the calf pain, but Michael’s unparalleled knowledge of the mechanics of running and his masterful approach to the treatment of muscle pain are unmatched in my 40+ years of receiving bodywork in every modality.
Michael also has referred me on to a natural running coach so as to not re-​injure myself and correct any habits that might have contributed to the dysfunction.
If you have any kind of muscle pain and need to have mobility restored and get back to a vocational or recreational activity, schedule an appt. with Michael.

I’ve had chronic back pain and dysfunction for all of my adult life. After having tried basically every type of physical therapy, the treatments Michael has provided are the only treatments that have ever made any long term improvements. As the issues with my back and hip have improved, Michael has consistently adjusted his treatment to address new and different issues as they have arisen. Just within the last couple months, we seemed to have turned a corner in my treatment and I’m confident I am well on my way to full functionality, which is something I never thought possible a couple years ago.
The trigger point therapy that is the core of his practice focuses on ‘reteaching’ the muscles and body to function properly (rather than focusing on a short-​term fix as so many other types of treatment do), which has provided for more lasting long-​term results.

Michael Westgate worked on my hip for about three sessions. The hip pain is almost completely gone and I feel so much better. I can walk without limping

My first experience with Westgate was when I was having knee pain. I kept thinking more yoga would help. It didn’t. I’d had surgery on the knee and was worried that I would need to go under the knife again. I was amazed when he worked on all these areas around the knee and not on the knee itself. But, sure enough after just a couple of sessions the pain was gone. I felt like he saved me from having surgery!
I have since used his service when muscle pain has kept me from doing yoga, specifically shoulders and hips. I had never heard of ‘trigger point therapy’ but it is a godsend! Michael also teaches classes on how it works and how we can use the techniques to work on ourselves.

Michael Westgate is an amazing resource! After 7 years and at least a dozen different types of practitioners, Michael was able to rid me of debilitating neck and back pain in 2 sessions. Even better, he gave me the tools to relieve my symptoms at home. He is professional, caring, and most importantly effective. He will treat you, but not try to convince you to come back more than needed. I highly recommend Michael to anyone with neck and back pain that seems «untreatable», or for any muscle pain.

I worked with Michael Westgate to identify and «switch on» the muscles of the back of my body which were not carrying their weight. With just one session I found myself able to powerfully engage my hamstrings and gluteal muscles when I cycled uphills and had a consciousness of moving my body which had been missing. After working with Michael I feel more empowered to train my body to move in it’s optimal way.

Westgate is a professional (and magical) no-​nonsense place to get your muscles back in working order! This is muscle therapy at its finest.
I could not put weight on my knee, I tried every thing and nothing helped. Finally I went to see Michael Westgate. After some tests, and a bit of prodding he found a very painful point in my shoulder blade. It hurt more then my non-​weight bearing knee. After a bit of work behind that shoulder, suddenly my knee didn’t hurt. I could actually walk like a normal person again… It was kind of like Magic!

Seeing Michael is a «must» if you have any muscle-​related issues. I am pretty active (example — I did Lavaman triathlon, 2−½ marathons, and a number of 10ks last year) but I’m also clumsy. I also have some issues from when I was in the Marines 20 years ago. As long as I haven’t tweaked something that’s «chiropractic,» Michael can get me on the right track. Here’s an example of what it’s like. Michael holds onto a muscle and makes you «push against» his hand, to see if the muscle is firing correctly. He goes from 1 to another to another until — SURPRISE — you literally CAN’T push against his hand. Then he says «Hmmmmmm,» and works on that muscle to «get it back firing» correctly. Then after he does his thing, he puts you in the same position, has you push against his hand and — SURPRISE — you can do it. It’s kinda like magic. Better yet — he gives you exercises to do at home to strengthen your weak bits. I’ve recommended him a lot to compatriots on my Team In Training teams!

My dad Ray (age 73) was visiting from Ireland for three weeks. He loves doing yard work and was hacking away at Scotch Broom, lifting logs and moving rocks as if he were 20 years old. After a few days I noticed he was in a bit of back pain. A friend of mine had used Westgate after a car accident, so I suggested my dad see him.
Michael was very patient and a great listener. Since my dad was visiting it was not practical to schedule multiple treatments, Instead my father was taught exercises that he could use every day, anywhere in the world.
My dad is the biggest skeptic around, now he is a believer, if you or someone you know is experiencing, Neck and shoulder pain, Back pain, Carpal tunnel, Frozen shoulder, Headaches, Foot and heel pain, or Knee Pain. Have them see Michael ASAP.
Avoid Surgery and see Westgate, he is the real deal!

I have seen many professionals regarding my lower back and hip issues but the owner of Westgate Therapy Michael, is the only one that connected a surgery that I had had over 5 years ago to my problems. He is very knowledgable and intuitive when comes to muscle and pain therapy. Thank you Michael for solving the riddle of my back and getting me on the road to recovery!

Michael has worked on my family, my clients and on myself. He has a unique talent to relieve pain by using muscle release therapy. He knows the pathways for each muscle group and by working on that pathway pain resolves. I feel confident when I send clients that he will only do the amount of work needed and that he will not treat those that he feels his work will not benefit.

I have been very impressed with Michael’s treatment of inactive or injured muscles. He is a master trigger point therapist for shoulders, elbows, knees and hips. Both of my knees click and crack regularly when I walk up the stairs from years of hitting hard bumps on my skis. After one session, my knee joint was moving smoothly and pain free again. I have sent Michael referrals to multiple friends with tennis elbows or guys that have crashed their bikes and hurt their shoulders. Michael works well with athletes and active people who, like me, beat on their bodies constantly. Everyone says the same thing: «thank you for sending me to Westgate, he is a great healer.»

I injured my back badly playing Basketball. I noticed an improvement after one session with Michael Westgate. 3 sessions later and I was able to get back into the gym. The whole rehab took less than 4 weeks, after I had spent the previous 2 months out of commission.

My back has never felt better. Westgate is truly the best place to go for your aches and pains. Did I mention the atmosphere? Super comfortable and relaxing. I am a lifetime fan.