Leslie Hellman Of Hellman Therapeutics: Powered By Hands

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226 – July/August, 2023

By Heather Smith Thomas

Leslie Hellman has a wonderful ability to heal painful bodies. Most riders have pain issues due to previous injuries, and many are now grateful for Hellman’s work. In 2002, Hellman was working with a chiropractor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but had no formal training. “The chiropractor said I had hands that would do amazingly well for message therapy and physical therapy. In 2006, I moved to Arizona, started working on my own and needed a license. I went back to school and began working with different message techniques. I took more than 3,000 hours of certifications in physical therapy and athletic training,” says Hellman.

This included Myofascial Release (using John Barnes’ technique), cupping, and Graston—a scraping technique. He took many continuing education courses over the years. “From there, I moved into message structural work and neuromuscular work, which entails short movements to the body to open tissue in the fascia more effectively.”

For three years, he worked with major league baseball players in spring training. “I worked with the White Sox, the Padres, and many Texas Rangers pitchers,” he says.

He learned what is called VOILA Structural Balancing Method–that originated with Joe Crandall–to figure out how people are balanced and how they move at different gaits–with different shoulder and body movements–and how it is all connected. “With that, I was able to put together what I call Structural Neuromuscular Therapy. I also do deep tissue massage. I was working with athletes and corporate people in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area,” says Hellman.

Entering the Horse Show World

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226 – July/August, 2023