Massage Therapy by Jack Stella

04/01/2026

From a colleague today.

Thanks Brian.

"Found this interesting Jack. The difference between "stretching" and "lengthening" the IT Band.

DELTOID OF FARABEUF
The gluteal region is compromised of the familiar gluteus maximus (red), gluteus medius, gluteus minimius and tensor fascia lata (orange). These individual muscles have been given individual actions but as we know no muscle ever works in isolation. In this vein, classical anatomists also noticed muscles were not easily separated from their neighbors due to strong fascial LINKS.
Given this, anatomists like FARABEUF gave muscle units a single name based on the shape. Since the glute max (superficial layer) and TFL both directly share fibers with the tractus iliotibialis (fascia lata, iliotibial band) they appear to be apart of the same shape. This fan of fibers resembled the deltoid of the shoulder and was labeled the Gluteal Deltoid of Farabeuf.
Taking this concept to a functional model, one could imagine the tensional pull of the glute max, superior fascial lata (purple) and the TFL dictating the position and function of the IT band.
Common syndromes of patello-femoral syndrome and other patellar dysfunctions are always affected by the gluteal complex via the IT band. Rather than target just the glute max in training or treatment, it is important to not forget the TFL’s role in the deltoid team.
The TFL is a flexor and internal rotator of the femur via its direct attachment to the greater trochanter. However, since the iliotibial tract is effectively the TFL’s distal tendon, contraction of the muscle will have an effect on tibial external rotation and patellar lateral tracking. In closed chain, the TFL will also pull the ilium anterior and lateral rotation.
Lastly, the TFL contraction causes pressurization of the vastus lateralis under the ITB which assists in lateral stability of the knee (Kaplan). Strong glutes are always important, but the whole deltoid contributes to lower body kinematics, even the smaller portions.

03/30/2026

Love the holy fathers message on Palm Sunday.

"Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood' (Is 1:15)."

Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday

03/26/2026

OPENING DAY YANKEE NATION.

1 down, only 161 games to go.

03/25/2026

Let all our voices be heard!

We are showing up together again on March 28.

When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence. America does not belong to strongmen, greedy billionaires, or those who rule through fear. It belongs to us, the people.

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

03/21/2026

ROBERT MUELLER RIP

Trump celebrates Mueller's death.
"Robert Mueller just died. Good I'm glad he's dead."

Marine officer
Bronze star
Purple Heart.
Transformed the FBI after 9/11.
He was hired a week before.
We weren’t attacked again.
Was so good at his job, congress extended his term 2 years.
He served 12.
He was an accomplished, fair, law officer.
He was courageous, walked into a firefight in Vietnam to save others.
Without the cowardice of the republicans, Trump would be in jail today.
He did his job. His whole life.
RIP

Trump dodged the draft with daddies help 5 times.
A coward and pe*****le.

03/07/2026

The FBI interviews (302's) DOJ was hiding are now public.

The FBI does not interview someone four times unless they think they're credible. Trump r***d a 13-year-old child.

They describe Trump's "first interaction" with a girl "approximately 13 to 15 years old."

These are the three files that were "missing" from the initial release.
Read them yourself.

03/07/2026

A break and a nosh between clients. I received this e mail from a very generous colleague.

"Hey Jack. Hope all is well. I thought this would be of interest to you. New to me and something to consider for clients with foot pain. Interesting look at the difference between Baxters Nerve Entrapment and Plantar Fasciitis."

BAXTER`S NERVE ENTRAPMENT (BNE) VS. PLANTAR FASCIITIS
The clinical picture of BNE and plantar fasciitis can be virtually identical. BNE may account for up to 20% of heel pain cases although it is frequently misdiagnosed. If it is misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis then traditional plantar fasciitis treatments could be ineffective or make the condition worse.
⠀
BNE is an entrapment of the inferior calcaneal nerve just under the base of the arch of the foot. The inferior calcaneal nerve is the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve on the bottom surface of the foot (Baxter’s nerve).
⠀
The nerve entrapment can occur in 1 of 2 locations:
1. Between the deep fascia of the abductor hallucis muscle and the medial plantar margin of quadratus plantae muscle.
2. Along the anterior aspect of the medial calcaneal tuberosity where the nerve can be compressed against the bone or bone spurs that may have developed along the anterior calcaneus bone.
⠀
It is difficult to identify compression of the inferior calcaneal nerve with physical examination. Frequently, it is painful to feel along the arch on the bottom surface of the foot. In some cases it will be especially painful to feel along the outer aspect of the bottom of the foot where the abductor digiti minimi muscle is located. It may also be painful along the inner arch where the nerve is likely to be entrapped.
⠀
This nerve compression is often missed unless an ultrasound guided local anesthetic diagnostic test or MRI is performed. A local anesthetic agent is injected near the origin of the medial calcaneal nerve using ultrasound guidance to increase accuracy. If the trial injection results in a significant decrease in pain, then this indicates that BNE is likely to be present.
⠀
MRI has been shown to be valuable in demonstrating muscular changes associated with denervation. When motor fibers to the abductor digiti minimi muscle are damaged, the muscle will atrophy and fatty edema can build up in the muscle. The fatty infiltration of muscle is visible on the MRI. MRI is also helpful in excluding alternative diagnoses (fracture, neoplasia, fasciitis).

03/05/2026

Have a good night my friends.

Tomorrow's a new day filled with new opportunities. New doors will open. You can open new doors for yourself and others too. Be ready for new chances
AN OBSERVATION

Sometimes and with some people there's far more there than
we can possibly see on the surface. To understand others fully, you need to get deep.

03/05/2026

After a full with clients, hit the Kettlebells.

Some very interesting information from a very generous colleague. Thanks Gary. Give me some time to unpack this.
1. Neck Pain (Opposite Side)
When the body shifts laterally, the head tilts to maintain balance.
➡ This creates overactivation of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on one side.
➡ Result: Pain on the opposite side of the neck.
⸻
🔴 2. Lateral Pelvic Shift (Outer Hip)
The pelvis shifts toward one side.
➡ Outer hip muscles (glute medius, TFL) become overloaded.
➡ Adductors on the opposite side may become tight.
➡ Leads to outer hip discomfort.
⸻
🔴 3. Spinal Compensation
The spine develops a subtle lateral curve.
➡ Uneven loading of lumbar segments.
➡ Increased compression on one side.
➡ Core muscle imbalance.
⸻
🔴 4. Rotational Lower Limb Pattern
The colored lines show spiral compensation:
• Femur internally rotates on one side
• Tibia rotates
• Foot pronates or shifts
➡ This alters knee tracking
➡ Increases joint stress
➡ May contribute to knee pain
⸻
🔴 5. Foot Loading Imbalance
Black arrows show uneven ground reaction forces.
➡ One-foot bears more weight
➡ Arch mechanic's change
➡ Affects the entire kinetic chain upward
⸻
📌 Key Message:
Pain rarely starts where you feel it.
A lateral hip shift can cause neck pain.
Foot imbalance can affect the spine.
The body works as one kinetic chain.

03/04/2026

Freedom often comes with a price that many of us never see. Today we remember four brave service members who paid that price with their lives during Operation Epic Fury aka / Operation Distract at any cost from the TRUMP-EPSTEIN FILES.

Capt. Cody A. Khork
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor
Sgt. Declan J. Coady
They were not just soldiers — they were sons, daughters, friends, and loved ones who had dreams, plans, and a future ahead of them. Yet when their country called, they answered with courage and unwavering commitment.
Their sacrifice reminds us that the peace and freedoms many enjoy today are protected by people willing to risk everything.
May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find strength and comfort during this painful time.
We will never forget their courage, their service, and their sacrifice. 🇺🇸

03/02/2026

Looking forward to a busy week in the office with musician clients.
Love it when they bring their own individual music playlists.
A bunch of hand, wrist, forearm, neck and shoulder complaints. A nice SERLF CARE routine I suggest for them.

03/02/2026

The U.S. Military said three service members have been killed and five are seriously wounded in military operations targeting Iran.
Sending prayers to the families of those lost or injured as well as to all of our men and women in uniform serving and sacrificing daily.