Axis Muscle Activation

Charles has made a huge difference in a short time. MAT is a remarkable modality, very effective--my gait and alignment are better than they've been in years and I'm much more comfortable. Charles is helpful and flexible with scheduling, and he follows up with excellent exercise suggestions. I'm really grateful that I found him!

Since working with Charles, I feel more balance in my posture and strength. As a cyclist and power lifter, I have more confidence in my training form and body awareness. Amazing!!I look forward to many years of injury free fitness.

I heard about Charles and his Muscle Activation Technique treatments from a friend who was a very satisfied customer. I am a PTA and recognized from her description that this treatment has a clinically sound foundation. The work that Charles has done for me was effective in relieving my hip pain and significantly improved my function. I highly recommend Charles. He is experienced, careful, and very good at what he does!

When I first encountered MAT in late 2022 as a treatment modality at an intensive medical center on the East Coast, I was shocked at how much of a difference it can make, even in just the first session, and especially how cleanly it can define and address these seemingly insufficient areas that then would all of a sudden click into a reasonable facsimile of the healthy operating joint.For many years, I have lived with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which is a degenerative connective tissue disorder, and dysautonomia (POTS), an autonomic nervous system disorder that basically makes your body feel like it’s running a marathon to climb a flight of stairs. For me, prior to starting regular sessions with Charles, my joints were in constantly varying states of spasming, dislocation, and subluxation, stuck in incorrect positioning, and using maladaptive motion patterns to compensate. Tl/dr: LOTS of pain and fatigue.Now, I have felt more movement returning to my joints, my back and hands don’t struggle so much, and core/hips/legs are getting there. Progress is being made, slowly, and in such a way that doesn’t damage my body and cause more pain in the process. My feedback and experience of the muscle tests is heard, explained, and incorporated.Charles Lantz is one of the few providers I trust to have the knowledge, experience, and instinct to work with a complex patient. And hey, as one of the higher level MAT practitioners, he’s got the latest and greatest knowledge base, plus great bedside manner and overall good music choice vibe going on.Thanks!Kate B.

I had severe low back pain from a few herniated discs that would be exacerbated easily at work or during/ after recreation. A friend recommended I see Charles. After a few sessions I was able to garden all day again, run 6 miles, do a big mountain hike, go to work, all with no pain afterwards. Thank you so much for helping me feel no pain and be able to get back to enjoying everything I love! I plan to continue going to sessions for tune ups as this is the best Iv felt in 2 years, maybe ever. Thank you Charles!

Whatever he does, its magic! I have been struggling with back pain off and on for so many years. Tried all the things-Physical Therapy, Massage, Yoga, even trying different mattresses. Well, I am pleased to say I found the solution! Charles is super knowledgeable about anatomy and physiology and after a thorough assessment begins to activate the muscles that are not working properly due to prior injuries or poor body mechanics. I can say that this modality truly works and after a few sessions, I am nearly pain free! I will continue to recommend Charles to anyone that is struggling with chronic injuries/pain. Thanks Charles, for bringing your expertise to Bellingham!

If you've reached roadblocks with traditional treatment (physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, etc), give MAT a try and Charles a call. I've seen nearly every kind of body work professional over the last decade and few have been more knowledgable, passionate, and equipped with the tools to transform an injured, dysfunctional body to one refined for resilience and performance. Axis Muscle Activation is a critical support as I prepare for the 2024 Marathon Olympic Trials.

I was referred to Charles and after suffering from low back pain for 5 years I thought I would give him a try. I was limping, I wasn't able to sleep I was having sciatic pain shoot down my leg when hiking. The worst was the constant pain in the middle of my low back standing at work.I have literally tried everything, 4 different physical therapist acupuncture, massage and chiropractic so I had nothing else to lose.His MAT technique is totally different. He started with my old knee injury and hip never even touching my trunk. I had believed for a while that my back pain was because of my knee throwing everything off but the physical therapists... Well actually no one would listen to me. So after my 1st appointment it's the best my knee and hip have felt in 10years. Fast forward to my 4th appointment and not only does my knee and hip no longer hurt my BACK PAIN is GONE. He treated a different area and progressed forward each appointment. It has now been a month post that appointment and my back is still feeling amazing! Bonus my knee feels good too. I highly recommend Charles and his technique. Nothing else in 5 years has worked for me. I plan to continue going to him for tune-up appointments every couple of months just to keep myself in good standing.

It has been a pleasure to work and learn from Charles.As a physical therapist who is currently learning Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) and has had both physical therapy and MAT performed on myself, it is truly an amazing tool to be able to utilize to help people move better, longer, and with less pain. I know in my time utilizing MAT in my physical therapy practice that it has made me a much better therapist in the evaluation process, as well as the treatment process leading to better results.Charles, who has been practicing MAT for some time has demonstrated a strong ability to understand the full body picture, quickly find limitations of joint movement and efficiently treat and correct asymmetries.

I have had a series of high ankle sprains over the last number of years that made my ankle mobility extremely limited and super painful. I found Charles & Axis Muscle Activation through my partner, and was shocked with the results I experienced after only a couple sessions. My ankle pain has vanished and I am able to run, ski, and climb pain free. Thanks Charles for all of your help, and for getting me back up and running. Feels so good to be playing in the mountains pain free! Can’t recommend him enough!