Mara Nicandro NMT

Business Details

26 Years

experience

Holistic Neuromuscular Therapy Chicago

With over two decades of dedicated practice, Mara Nicandro NMT offers specialized neuromuscular massage therapy focused on addressing chronic pain, postural imbalances, and systemic health through holistic methodologies. Our approach combines advanced clinical applications with personalized treatment plans that emphasize long-term wellness by targeting root causes rather than temporary symptom relief. Certified in Neurokinetic Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage, we provide comprehensive care for musculoskeletal conditions, TMJ dysfunction, and lymphatic system optimization.

As a Holistic Lifestyle Coach, we integrate nutritional support and movement re-education to enhance treatment outcomes. Our practice serves individuals experiencing chronic pain, athletes seeking performance optimization, and postpartum clients addressing structural changes. Backed by collaborations with medical professionals and supported by evidence-based techniques, we deliver measurable improvements in mobility, pain reduction, and overall well-being through targeted manual therapy and nervous system regulation.

Services

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy TMJ Dysfunction Therapy Lymphatic Drainage Structural Balancing Neurokinetic Therapy Postpartum Recovery Chronic Pain Management Movement Pattern Retraining Nervous System Regulation Pre/Post Surgical Recovery

Details

Year established: 2000

Highlights and features

20+ years treating complex musculoskeletal conditions
Board-certified in clinical neuromuscular applications
Collaborates with medical professionals for comprehensive care
Clients report immediate pain reduction post-treatment
Offers holistic integration of manual therapy with movement education

Associations and certifications

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
Neurokinetic Therapy Certification Program
Vodder School International (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)

What people say

Immediate chronic pain relief Effective TMJ treatment Improved mobility Expert movement analysis Personalized treatment plans

Website

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Services

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

Our Neuromuscular Massage Therapy addresses chronic pain and postural imbalances through targeted manual techniques. By treating myofascial trigger points and re-educating movement patterns, this therapy restores proper muscle function and alleviates conditions like sciatica, headaches, and sports injuries. Clients benefit from lasting pain relief and improved structural integrity through our integrative approach combining soft tissue manipulation with nervous system regulation.

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy optimizes lymphatic system function to reduce swelling and enhance immune response. Using specialized rhythmic movements, this treatment addresses conditions like chronic edema, post-surgical swelling, and immune dysfunction. Clients experience reduced inflammation, faster recovery from injuries, and improved systemic circulation through our certified lymphatic drainage techniques that support the body's natural detoxification processes.

TMJ Dysfunction Therapy

TMJ Dysfunction Therapy resolves jaw pain and related symptoms through targeted neuromuscular techniques. We address misalignments and muscular imbalances affecting temporomandibular joints, providing relief from headaches, facial pain, and jaw clicking. This specialized treatment integrates postural correction and breathing pattern retraining to achieve lasting resolution of TMJ-related discomfort and dysfunction.

Structural Balancing

Structural Balancing therapy restores optimal body mechanics by addressing postural compensations and muscular asymmetries. Through comprehensive movement analysis and manual therapy, we correct chronic alignment issues causing pain and restricted mobility. This service benefits individuals with chronic back pain, repetitive strain injuries, and postural changes related to pregnancy or athletic activities, promoting pain-free movement and improved physical performance.

Neurokinetic Therapy

Neurokinetic Therapy employs movement assessments to identify and correct dysfunctional muscle patterns. By reprogramming the body's motor control center, this technique addresses chronic compensation patterns causing pain and restricted mobility. Ideal for athletes, post-rehabilitation clients, and chronic pain sufferers, this therapy improves coordination, enhances performance, and prevents recurring musculoskeletal issues through neuromuscular re-education.

People

Mara Nicandro

Board Certified Neuromuscular Therapist

Mara Nicandro specializes in neuromuscular therapy with 20+ years clinical experience. Certified in Neurokinetic Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage, she integrates structural analysis with nervous system regulation to treat chronic pain. Her practice combines medical expertise with holistic approaches for lasting wellness solutions.

Questions

What conditions respond best to neuromuscular therapy?

Neuromuscular therapy effectively treats chronic pain conditions including sciatica, TMJ dysfunction, headaches, sports injuries, postural imbalances, and lymphatic system disorders. Our approach addresses both acute injuries and long-standing musculoskeletal issues through targeted manual therapy.

How does your therapy differ from traditional massage?

Our neuromuscular approach combines structural analysis with nervous system regulation, going beyond relaxation massage to address root causes of pain. We use specialized techniques for movement pattern re-education, lymphatic support, and postural correction with measurable functional improvements.

What happens during the initial assessment?

The Discovery Session includes comprehensive movement analysis, postural assessment, and targeted palpation to identify muscular imbalances. We evaluate breathing patterns and nervous system responses to create personalized treatment plans addressing your specific pain patterns and wellness goals.

How many sessions are typically needed?

Treatment plans vary based on individual needs, but most clients experience significant improvement within 4-8 sessions. Chronic conditions may require 12+ sessions with periodic maintenance treatments. We prioritize lasting results over temporary symptom relief through progressive neuromuscular re-education.

Is therapy covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans cover neuromuscular therapy under 'out-of-network physical therapy' benefits. We provide documentation for potential reimbursement. Many clients also use HSA/FSA accounts for our services since we're a certified wellness provider with medical professional referrals.

How does nutrition support therapy outcomes?

As a Holistic Lifestyle Coach, I incorporate nutritional guidance to reduce systemic inflammation and support tissue healing. Food sensitivity testing and targeted supplementation address underlying factors impacting musculoskeletal health, enhancing treatment effectiveness for lasting wellness improvements.

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Reviews (5)

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Kara Savage

Nov 13, 2021 Report

Mara is incredible! She is fantastic at what she does and is incredibly smart, kind, and generous. I have had chronic pain and reduced mobility for years.. Have gone down many different avenues attempting to improve functional movement and reduce the associated pain. My progress has been extremely limited by my inability to perform the stretches, moves, or exercises correctly.
Mara and her practice has changed my life. She works with your body to encourage proper movement by isolating certain areas to determine the root cause of the pain. She is extremely knowledgeable and teaches me something

Suzanne Willey

Feb 21, 2021 Report

Had done traditional PT, massage and chiropractic to help my low back/leg issue and spent countless hours and dollars for years. Finally found Mara and am now actually healing. There are a million kind words I could say about her, but Ill just say thisif youre in pain and havent found a solution, definitely try neuromuscular therapy with Mara. Worth every second and penny.

Rachael Claire

Feb 12, 2021 Report

Mara is AMAZING! Truly, one of a kind. I was having dry mouth and pretty bad tmj issues (my jaw was clenching without my consent). She was recommended to me because (pre-covid), she would actually work inside of my mouth! She has a beautifully holistic approach. She taught me that muscles in my legs and back are connected to how my jaw functions, so she gave me a series of strengthening and stretching exercises that I can do at home to assist in training my muscles to function properly. She has also given me great advice as a music educator for ways I can help prevent injuries with my students

Alexis V.

Apr 15, 2020 Report

Mara helped me after a neck injury and I am so grateful for her expertise. I would give more stars but after about 10 sessions I could no longer afford her services. She knew my situation and never once followed up to check in or see how I was doing. I expected more from a body worker/healer in that regard. It's basic human kindness.

Carrie P.

Aug 22, 2018 Report

Godsend! I had so much pain in my jaw for months and was in tears thinking it wasn't going to go away. I went to a TMJ specialist who told me it was going to be over $12,000 to fix the issue. I had massages, mouth guards, etc. and still couldn't open my jaw or eat hard foods. Mara found the imbalances in my body that was causing jaw pain and fixed my mouth after the first time I saw her. Thank you so much Mara!