My name is Alan Gottlieb. As an exercise instructor and stretch therapist, I consider myself a health facilitator through gentle, sustained work with my clients.

I am a fascial stretch practitioner in Sonoma County, California, and have been in practice for over 15 years. I received my bachelor's degree from Cornell University and was trained as a Physician Assistant at the U.S. Public Health Service. After working for a few years in clinic settings I moved on to a career in clinical research, which allowed me to find scientific stimulation and satisfaction in the many and varied projects I worked on as a clinical researcher and later as Director of Clinical Operations for a  biotech company in San Diego. I worked with the team that brought two novel therapies for diabetes to FDA approval.   

Towards the end of those years, I developed chronic and severe low back pain and sciatic discomfort that lasted for more than 5 years. I could not walk more than half a block without sitting due to pain. I was determined to find a way out of my situation after a surgical procedure called foraminotomy and microdiscectomy brought only minimal relief. My body had found ways to adjust itself around the pain resulting in unnatural compensations of my muscles and posture that lessened my sense of wellbeing. The journey towards health took several years: first because it's not easy to find people who can actually help, and second because the process is slow and requires patience and determination. I'm happy to report that I am now pain-free and living an active and happy body life. 

Through my work on myself, I found the techniques that helped me most were aqua aerobics, the Feldenkrais method, aqua and land exercise classes, and stretching. All of these modalities encourage the body to restore itself to its natural state of healthy movement. I am now using the knowledge I gained on my journey by teaching aqua and land exercise classes and bringing individual stretch therapy to those in need of, or interested in, improving their sport or game, addressing discomfort, or just plain feeling better.

- Alan Gottlieb