Body Reform, in Beverly Hills, specializes in The Bowstring Method® of manual physical therapy created by its founder, Shannon Harris, MPT, OCS. This hands-on system is uniquely effective for all orthopedic conditions, including hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, because it goes beyond treating symptoms such as pain and stiffness; it gets to the root of the problem by using manual therapy designed to influence the ‘software’ of the central nervous system. The Bowstring Method® corrects aberrant tension patterns throughout muscle and joint complexes; normalizing tone, position, and function.
Physical therapist Shannon Harris created the 100+ techniques and protocols of The Bowstring Method® to help affect positive and long-lasting changes throughout the body, and in a way that is intense but uniquely tolerable to the client. This hour-long, transformative style of bodywork partners well with flexibility and strength training to facilitate improved positioning of bones, muscles, and nerves, freeing your body to lengthen and conform to a more optimal position.
In addition to The Bowstring Method®, Body Reform provides personal training, Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage (MLD), TMJ treatments, and workplace ergonomic assessments. We also perform posture and gait corrections that are integrated into private movement sessions that may include rehabilitative exercises, strength training, Pilates, Tai Chi, and yoga. Our hybrid sessions feature part bodywork and part movement.
The Bowstring Method®, combined with our posture-focused movement and exercise programs, greatly benefits patients with all orthopedic conditions, including those with connective tissue complications, such as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).
Body Reform® has been successfully treating clients with hypermobility disorders for 20 years; longer than that when you consider co-owner Mary Harris’s decades of undiagnosed hEDS. Our therapists receive ongoing continuing education from courses and updates provided by the Ehlers-Danlos Society. For further details, please visit EDS/HSD and Services pages.
Our seasoned therapists include:
+ Co-founder Shannon Harris, MPT, physical therapist and creator of Body Reform’s signature manual therapy, The Bowstring Method® . This joint-friendly bodywork is highly effective for every patient, from professional athletes to those with conditions such as Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos and osteoporosis.
+ Co-founder Mary Perkins Harris, CMT, CAFS. She utilizes her certifications in corrective exercise, Pilates, TRX, ViPR, yoga, core conditioning, posture, and gait training for a functional and integrative approach to rehabilitation and fitness. Mary specializes in working with the hypermobile community such as those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
+ Nate Edwards, DPT, is a physical therapist and fully certified in The Bowstring Method® of manual therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Tai Chi for rehab, and ergonomic assessments. He works with all orthopedic conditions, including those with hypermobility.
+ Alex Czubakowski, D.C., is a chiropractor and manual therapist trained in The Bowstring Method®.
For more detailed information on our staff and the services they provide, please visit our Meet The Team and Services pages.
Body Reform serves the areas of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Century City, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and West Hollywood with physical therapy for Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and all orthopedic conditions.
Raising the Standard of Care:
Body Reform® is dedicated to raising the standard of care in our industry. We not only provide regular training and education to our employees, but we teach our system of manual therapy and functional fitness to other medical professionals, bodyworkers, and fitness trainers through workshops, videos, and The Bowstring Method® of Manual Therapy Instructional Guide.
Have questions? We’d be happy to chat and schedule an appointment for you. Body Reform provides care for all orthopedic conditions, including Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome for patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Century City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas. We’re also available for tele-health consultations for patients who can’t make it into our office.