SCIENCE-INFORMED MASSAGE
&
BODYWORK
Founder and published researcher Dedric Carroll welcomes you and shares insights to Empirical Knead's science-informed functional bodywork model approach.
If you're here, you're likely dealing with pain, restricted movement, or a musculoskeletal condition that hasn’t fully resolved.
Most approaches focus on symptoms. We assess how the body is functioning as a whole — identifying where tension begins and how it’s affecting movement, structure, and performance.
Guided by 13 years of published clinical research and nearly two decades of practice, our work is designed to deliver targeted, measurable results — helping reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve how your body functions long-term.
Our Approach
Our Functional Model Approach
If you're here, you're likely dealing with pain, restricted movement, or a condition that hasn’t fully resolved. Or has lingered--even after seeing by other health care providers. Like most of our clients over the past 19 years, we hope that we are your last stop in the pursuit of body wellness.
Beyond the Symptoms-Everything is Connected
Most approaches treat symptoms.
We look deeper.
The source is often elsewhere — quietly restricting movement in another part of the body. Fascia lines link together muscles from the bottom of your feet to the the top of your head via lines of connectivity that run superficial to deep, liner to spiral, skin to cell. We began in utero as a glob of fascia that envelopes, informs status and gives shape to our musculature.
Many factors can lead to fascia restrictions. Those restrictions ultimately cause the
muscles then lose their ability to freely glide along those linked functional pathways.
Trigger points (acute muscle spasms) develop.
From there:
→ compensation begins
→ movement becomes inefficient
→ pain and dysfunction follow
Movement Shapes Structure
Posture isn’t static — it’s shaped by how you move over time.
Daily habits, repetitive movements, and unconscious patterns --gradually shift your structure away from optimal functional alignment.
Over time, those small changes accumulate into restriction, imbalance, weakness and discomfort.
Fascia restrictions can be released and re-educated under the expertly guided functional loading of bodywork pressure and kinetic movements restoring balance to the system and the muscles they envelope. Offering freedom of unlike any other approach to bodywork.
Designed for Survival
Fascia plays a critical role — informing your nervous system where your body is in space.
Your nervous system is constantly adjusting your body structure to keep you balanced and safe.
Take forward head posture as an example:
Your body will shift your structure to keep your head balanced, shifting your center of gravity- to keep eyes on horizon.
Otherwise, a 10-pound head can effectively becomes like 40–50 pounds, every degree fixed forward is adding 10 additional pounds to your neck, shoulders.
To compensate:
- shoulders round forward
- hips shift
- borrowing space from the spine, reversing lumbar and cervical curves
This creates a cascade of issues:
→ compressed joints
→ herniated discs
→ nerve irritation (tingling, numbness, reduced functional communication)
→ restricted movement
→ headaches, jaw pain, hip pain, plantar fasciitis among many others--relative to the individual
Add in factors like:
- genetic structure (arches, leg length differences)
- systemic inflammation
- Stress
symptoms then become even more pronounced.
Restore Balance — The Body Can Heal
We assess the body as a connected system.
Identifying:
- where restriction(s) begins
- how it affects movement
- how that movement shapes structure
- how that structure impacts communication
Left unchecked, this becomes a cycle:
restriction → compensation → dysfunction → pain
Our goal is to interrupt that cycle. Free the restrictions and restore balance and movement
Driven by Measurable Results
Guided by 13 years of published clinical research and nearly two decades of practice, our work is focused on:
- measurable outcomes
- posture analysis
- controlled variables
- refining treatment based on your response
This allows us to deliver targeted, repeatable results — not temporary relief. - but clinically significant - Empirical relief.
The Empirical Knead Functional Model™
Our approach meets you where you are.
We combine:
Targeted Neuromuscular Therapy(NMT)
→ releases trigger points
→ restores muscle tone
→ improves function
Full body Myofascial Structural Integration(MFSI)
→ Decreases pain & improves function
→ re-educates fascia
→ restores movement pathways
→ improves alignment
Hybrid of Care NMT/MFSI with...
Restorative
→ Calms the nervous system with the soothing techniques used in our Published Clinical Research collaboration with Emory University. Proven to provide clinically significant relief.
Functional Cupping
→ Mobilize restricted fascia improving circulation and mobility, decreasing pain. Gliding cups hydrate connective tissue and release congestion along fascial pathways throughout the body.
Following the Functional Flow
Every treatment follows the natural flow of your connective tissue.
Some sessions focus on:
- calming the nervous system
- reducing systemic inflammation
Others progress into:
- deeper structural and functional correction
Wherever you are in the process — we meet you there, to help get you where you want to be.
Treatments
Neuromuscular Therapy Integration
Relieve persistent pain and restore healthy muscle function. Precision neuromuscular work releases restrictive trigger points, improves muscle tone, and restores comfortable movement.
Kinesis MyoFascial Structural Integration
Correct structural imbalances influencing symptoms and restoring freedom of movement.
Kinesis fascia-focused work reorganizes tension across the body’s kinetic chain for lasting results.
Functional Bodywork Integration
Maintain mobility, comfort, and balanced movement. Adaptive sessions respond to the body’s needs while sustaining structural progress and supporting everyday function and resilience. Ideal for post structural work --once the primary complaint(s) has calmed and routine maintenance is desired.
Specialized Care
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Reduce swelling and support immune and lymphatic health. Gentle rhythmic techniques encourage fluid movement, improve circulation, and help the body resolve inflammation naturally.
Restorative Care Massage Therapy
Calm the nervous system and support deep recovery. Gentle research-informed care promotes circulation, relaxation, and restoration during periods of stress or anxiety.
Advanced Medical Massage for Complex Conditions
Clinical bodywork for complex pain and medically involved cases. Assessment-driven treatment supports recovery, circulation, and comfort for clients requiring advanced therapeutic care.
Prenatal Therapeutic Care
Ease pregnancy discomfort while supporting circulation and lymphatic flow. Specialized techniques help the body adapt to structural changes and improve comfort during pregnancy.
Functional Cupping
Modern cupping therapy applied strategically honoring the flow fascial lines to improve tissue hydration, glide and circulation. Gliding cups hydrate connective tissue and release congestion along fascial pathways throughout the body. Decreasing pain and improving performance.
Used as a standalone therapy or integrated into structural sessions
May assist with:
• Adhesions
• Congested tissue
• Athletic recovery
• Restricted movement
• Postural compression patterns
Youth Structural Development & Alignment (10–17)
Support healthy posture and structural development during growth. Targeted bodywork helps growing bodies adapt to activity and change while encouraging balanced movement.
Pediatric Massage (3–9)
Support healthy posture and structural development during growth. Targeted bodywork helps growing bodies adapt to activity and change while encouraging balanced movement.
Enhancements & Extensions(+10 Mins)
Enhancement therapies add to your session for additional focus you may opt to extend your treatment with targeted care. Options include cupping, CBD, reflexology, aromatherapy, and scalp therapy to deepen relaxation and support results. PLEASE LIMIT TWO PER SESSION
Functional Cupping
Functional cupping gently lifts and mobilizes fascia to improve circulation and tissue glide. A great addition to bodywork sessions when you want deeper release, improved mobility, and enhanced results.
CBD Therapy
CBD-infused massage oil supports relaxation while helping calm inflammation and muscular tension. Added to your session to deepen comfort, soothe sore tissues, and support recovery.
Targeted Reflexology / Foot Therapy
Targeted reflexology focuses on pressure points of the feet that support relaxation and circulation throughout the body. A focused addition that helps ease tension and enhance comfort.
Targeted Scalp Therapy
Targeted scalp massage relieves tension in the head, temples, and neck while improving circulation. A calming addition that enhances relaxation and helps release stress held in the scalp.
Aromatherapy
Therapeutic essential oils enhance your session with calming or uplifting aromas. Carefully selected blends complement bodywork to support relaxation, breathing comfort, and sensory balance.
Add-On Enhancements and Extensions
Enhancements
Enhancements are integrated within your scheduled session time. They complement the primary treatment focus without extending the overall appointment length.
Extensions (+10 Minutes)
Extensions add 15 additional minutes of focused work, allowing for deeper
application and more sustained therapeutic effect in a specific area or technique.
Add-On Enhancements
Add-ons enhancements are designed to complement your primary session without extending time.
Available Enhancements:
• Functional Cupping
• CBD Therapy Enhancement
• Targeted Scalp Massage
• Aromatherapy
CBD Therapy Enhancement
Topical plant-based application designed to support localized muscle relaxation and reduce inflammatory tension patterns.
Ideal for joint stiffness, athletic recovery, and high-tension or painful areas.
Reflexology Enhancement
A focused foot-based therapy stimulating mapped reflex zones corresponding to organs and systems throughout the body.
Reflexology supports, but not limited to:
• Nervous system regulation
• Circulation
• Relaxation response
• Systemic balance
Functional Cupping Enhancement
Modern cupping therapy applied strategically honoring the flow fascial lines to improve tissue hydration, glide and circulation.
May assist with:
• Adhesions
• Congested tissue
• Athletic recovery
• Restricted movement
• Postural compression patterns
Used as a standalone therapy or integrated into structural sessions.
Aromatherapy Enhancement
A curated single or essential oil blend applied strategically to support nervous system regulation, breath depth, and session integration.
Selected based on your clinical presentation and desired outcome — grounding, energizing, respiratory support, or deep relaxation.
Designed to complement your primary session without extending time.
Scope of Practice
Empirical Knead provides therapeutic massage and structural bodywork within the professional scope of licensed massage therapy.
Services are intended to support musculoskeletal function, neuromuscular balance, and structural alignment. We do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe treatment, or serve as a substitute for medical care.
Clients experiencing acute injury, progressive neurological symptoms, or other medical concerns are encouraged to consult an appropriate licensed healthcare provider. Any discussion of structural patterns or dysfunction reflects clinical observation within the scope of manual therapy and should not be interpreted as a medical diagnosis.
Common conditions we treat. Certainly not limited to....
Not Sure? Give us a call, text or email.
1. Forward Head Posture & Tech Neck
Chronic neck tightness, headaches, shoulder pain, numbness, tingling.
We use fascia-guided manual therapy, neuromuscular therapy, and corrective movement to restore alignment and reduce pain.
2. Low Back Pain & Pelvic Imbalance
Sciatica, plantar fasciitis symptoms, disc compression or herniation, sacral rotation, pelvic floor issues among others can originate in the lumbar region. As a result of postural distortions that sometimes extend from neck or lower leg restrictions.
Sessions integrate deep myofascial release along the Back Line, pelvic balancing, and structural assessment.
3. TMJ Dysfunction & Jaw Pain
Intra-oral massage, cervical release, cranial balancing, and sometimes full body fascia mobilization to relieve clenching, grinding, and jaw restriction.
4. Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Dysfunction
Impingement, frozen shoulder, instability, posture-related restrictions.
We address the entire girdle: pecs, rotator cuff, rhomboids, scalenes, upper back and cervical compensations.
5. Knee Pain, IT Band Tightness & Gait Issues
Addressing fascial chains, hip alignment, quad/hamstring imbalance, and foot strike mechanics and stability of arches.
6. Post-Surgical Scar Tissue & Mobility Recovery
Safe manual therapy to improve mobility, circulation, and tissue hydration while reducing adhesions and compensatory patterns
7. Lymphatic Drainage for Tattoos, Edema, Injury & Surgery Recovery
Gentle full-body lymphatic sequences for post-procedure swelling, tattoos, immune support, and inflammation reduction.
8. Inflammation-Related Fatigue(Cancer, Autoimmune & Chronic Systemic Fatigue).
Research demonstrates that manual therapy—when applied with rhythmic, full-body sequencing—can reduce markers of systemic inflammation and regulate the autonomic nervous system. These physiological effects help explain why clients with multiple, seemingly unrelated symptoms often experience improvement across the board after a single structured session. At Empirical Knead, this research informs our protocols and supports our dual focus on structural alignment and the systemic environment that influences pain, energy, and recovery.
TESTIMONIALS
Read what our cleints are saying about our approach
Dedric and his team at Empirical Knead are nothing short of miracle workers—true healers. As an athlete, I’ve tried nearly every form of bodywork imaginable, from traditional massages to advanced therapies, but Dedric’s science-based functional model featuring neuromuscular / fascia approach stands head and shoulders above the rest. It doesn’t just treat symptoms; it addresses the root causes of pain and misalignment by viewing the body as a fully interconnected system.
I’ve battled multiple injuries this year that left me in tears and struggling to walk, yet after each session at Empirical Knead, I walked out feeling remarkably better—lighter, more aligned, and with a deeper understanding of my body’s needs. With their care, those injuries healed astonishingly fast.
Throughout my pregnancy, I also received prenatal massage care from multiple therapists on the team, and the consistency, thoughtfulness, and clinical awareness across each session were exceptional. Every therapist approached my changing body with intention, precision, and genuine care—adapting the work to support comfort, alignment, circulation, and relief at every stage. I always felt safe, supported, and deeply understood, which made a world of difference during such a physically transformative time.
My husband and I are profoundly grateful to Dedric, Tony, and Alisha for their expertise and unwavering commitment to our well-being. We’ve finally found our forever bodywork home, and I can’t recommend them enough. If you’re seeking effective, long-lasting results that truly change how you move and feel, Empirical Knead is the place. You’ll be so grateful you discovered them—it’s a game-changer.
Rebecca M
I came to Empirical Knead with severe back pain (after 2 past major back surgeries). Working with Dedric was extraordinary! I wish he could "could be cloned" because there simply can't be any massage therapist on this planet as great as he is..Too many people in this world need him for pain. Turns out he has... his team of therapists are incredible!
Cathy Printz B.
Here is a testament from me regarding the phenomenal healing bodywork that Dedric and Empirical Knead provides. I have been treated by Dedric for many years, and while I’ve naturally aged during that time, I’ve avoided many of the common age-related issues others often experience. When something has presented itself, Dedric has consistently known exactly how to address it.
His science-informed functional approach—combining precise Neuromuscular tissue work, targeted IT band and psoas engagement, and thoughtful use of body positioning—has kept me pain-free, functional, and confident in my movement. What stands out most is his exceptional attention to detail and his ability to assess the body as a whole rather than chasing isolated symptoms.
Over the years, I’ve also watched Dedric evolve into Empirical Knead and an outstanding teacher and clinical researcher and now clinical director, developing a thoughtful, results-driven approach that now lives through Empirical Knead and the therapists he now trains. That same level of care, precision, and expertise is reflected throughout the practice.
Because of this work, I’m able to travel extensively, carry my own luggage, and explore physically demanding places with ease—something I do not take for granted. Dedric is truly a phenom in this field, and is a rare find.
Highly, highly recommended.
