Carson Larsen, CMT

Carson Larsen believes that massage therapy is medicine. It is an integral part of a whole-body approach to health and wellness. Informed hands can interpret the body’s needs and address them in a way that cannot be duplicated by Western medicine.

Carson has personally experienced the healing power of massage. The rigors of a nearly twenty-year career spent serving others in the military as well as a first responder took its toll, and in 2019 he began to struggle with mental health issues, which then translated into physical symptoms. Driven by pride, he continued to work the busy streets of downtown San Francisco as a firefighter/paramedic until his struggle became so significant that he was forced to seek help. He bounced from one doctor to another in an attempt to find a cure. He found relief in an unexpected place. He met a kind and patient massage therapist who put him on a path to wellness. His anxiety and depression slowly abated, and with it, his physical symptoms.

Massage therapy became a calling, and in 2020 he began to study earnestly. His training in Western medicine informs his massage practice. He stands on the shoulders of healers such as Janet Travell, who spent her life identifying and treating the source of bodily dysfunction. He can provide a relaxing experience and specialize in treating clients who struggle with medical problems, physical injury, and mental and emotional trauma. He also works with athletes who want to enhance their performance. The body is an interconnected system and must be approached holistically. He will work with you to identify your goals, discover the source of your pain, and develop a treatment plan so you can experience lasting healing and wellness.

Carson continues to enhance his skills as a healer and is currently attending the Yale School of Medicine Online Physician Assistant Program. He intends to integrate the principles of massage therapy into his practice as a primary care provider and to also bring an enhanced Western medicine knowledge base to his practice as a massage therapist. He believes this truly integrative approach provides superior results.

Join Carson on this journey.

Qualifications

Certified Massage Therapist – California Massage Therapist Council (CAMTC) # 86661
Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (ANMT) – National Holistic Institute
BS in Biochemistry – University of California Berkeley
Physician Assistant Online Program (Current Student) – Yale University School of Medicine

MEET OUR OTHER QUALIFIED THERAPISTS

Jillina Barrera, CMT

Izzie Paragas, CMT

Croft Castrell, CMT

WHAT ARE OUR CLIENTS SAYING ABOUT US?

Charles Graham

Croft Castro is better than I imagined a massage therapist could be. A 1 hour appointment is worth more than 6 weeks of physical therapy with... all associated exercises. Also, easy booking, he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and he is an expert and in a lot of different modalities of massage. I believe that he was key to curing or at least greatly helping my sleep apnea, fixed my shoulder that had been an issue for 12 years and possibly was critical, was likely critical to my long Covid fatigue being cured. I could not recommend higher.read more

Glenn Yoshimoto

It seems that Croft deal with balancing the whole body from a neuromuscular aspect. The questions asked are outside of the boundaries that I... would have considered. I look forward to continuing the manipulation that Croft started. My first session gives me hope that permanent dramatic restoration of normal functioning is possible.read more

A L.

Castrell Neuromuscular Therapy is pure excellence! I have been to many massage businesses in Silicon Valley and I can say, hands down, that this... is the...read more

viv bakht

We can't recommend this place enough. My father is a stroke survivor and has been coming here for neuromuscular massage therapy for the past six... months, and the benefits he's experienced have been incredible. Before coming here, my father had limited range of motion and muscle stiffness, making it difficult for him to perform any task. But with the help of Croft, he's made amazing progress. He was able to target specific muscles and release tension, which has improved his overall mobility and flexibility.The staff here is incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate, and they take the time to understand each patient's unique needs and goals. They work closely with my father to create a personalized treatment plan that focuses on his specific areas of concern.read more

Jovanka Ninkovic

I am super impressed with the healing results I have experienced as a result of receiving professional neuromuscular therapies over the course... of a couple of months only!! .. I came in to the Castrell Neuromuscular Practice with various bodily discomforts going on simultaneously but have been seeing one physical issue after another gradually improving. Last week, after an hour-long session with Therapist Castrell, I was able to do a certain bending-stretch that I have not been able to pull off ever since an injury I had few years back. Needless to say, that was an incredible moment for me! -Also, I had pulled a calf muscle earlier this year which caused me some scar tissue build-up.. Consequently, I began having heel pain (at the start of summer) which just would not go away and was quite debilitating 🙁 However, after specialized deep muscle massage techniques, I can happily say that the intense & persistent heel aches have drastically diminished and I have gained much more mobility 🙂 ~ I have had nothing but VERY positive experiences with the Castrell Neuromuscular Therapy and would strongly recommend anyone struggling with minor or major bodily soreness and stiffness as well as suffering with different pain difficulties to promptly schedule a visit at the Castrell practice. You will not regret it!! We owe ourselves a properly functioning & healthy body!!read more

James M.

I would like to highly recommend this clinic for anyone with muscular or neuromuscular issues , chronic oracute. My therapist whom I have had... two complete...read more

J H.

I've been coming here on and off for 4 years, for various sports injuries and muscle aches. This is THE place to come if you have a specific... problem you...read more

Carolyn F.

In 2019, I had a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, at my L5/S1. The surgery was to be routine, but there was a complication. The material from... my herniated...read more

Laurie L.

I've been seeing Croft regularly for some time now and have seen a lot of improvement. This week, because of some scheduling issues on my end, I... decided to...read more

Laurie L.

At almost 70, coming from years of not staying fit and active, I've had a few issues with pain and mobility that really impacted my quality of... life. I've...read more

Martin Hernandez

Always great this man is a blessing

Cheryl McLeod

Croft is amazing! He leveraged different techniques to develop a treatment that has given me my mobility back.

BigPete 650

Found DR Croft searching for myofacia massage. wow outstanding. my body has felt like balled up homework for awhile now. after 1 visit with Dr... Croft. i got a lot of mobility back in my hips and torso. i can actually do certain movement with out groaning. cant wait to continue to get me back to an active lifestyle.read more

Teresa

Croft is very knowledgeable and is able to customize the modalities applied for specific concerns.

alan l.

I used to play a lot of basketball and have suffered numerous injuries that have come back in one form or another off and on for the past two... decades. I was...read more

Maria Sokolova

I’ve been Croft’s client for about 7 years now. First time I literally crawled into his office after slipped disk incident. In a few sessions I... got the relief needed and stayed committed to using Croft’s services regularly to maintain my spine health. Manual therapy can do wonders especially when approached with time and commitment. Over the years Croft also helped me with neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain cases. He is extremely professional, very knowledgeable, and has a great personality. Most important you feel taken care of. He is passionate about his craft and genuinely interested in helping. That matters!read more

Charlie Kem

I’ve been having discomfort in my body for a long time and couldn’t even go to the gym. In the first visit, Dr Castrell identified what was... going on in my body and went straight to work. I was able to sleep better, focus better and I felt my mobility was great. After I thought the first visit was really good and couldn’t get any better, the second visit surprised me even more, I felt as light as a feather. My body can actually move. Dr Castrell knows how the body should move and taught me the importance of taking care of your body. I will be coming regularlyread more

kwoksmusic

The first session was more than a full hour. It was closer to 1 hr and 20 minutes. I have been suffering from hip pain for the past 5 or more... years and recently I also pulled a muscle. Castrell did a full review of the whole body, not just my hip. Then after the session, I felt my body felt freer and something so basic as walking felt more natural and comfortable. For me this is quite miraculous!read more

Alan P

Really knowledgeable and effective. I went in because my back and shoulder was causing me a lot of pain. Not only did Castrell helped me... relieved my pain but I can breathe better now. He def opened up be chest. My range of motion’s improved and my back is no longer locked up.read more

T H.

I cannot praise the work of Jillina Barrera enough for the treatment she provided to me. My doctor told me that this treatment was my last hope... because...read more

Sade G.

Highly recommend going here if you have any physical discomfort or pain. I was suffering from pain due to anxiety and couldn't find relief until... I came...read more

Jordan Kelley

Not only does he have a cool alliterative superhero name, he’s genuinely here to help people. Right off the bat you can tell that he is genuine... and cares about his craft and easing peoples’ pain. If you’re looking for real relief then start here!read more

T R.

I found Croft when searching for something better than a PT who just has you do stretches. I made a double back to back appt for me and my... husband. Croft...read more

John Little

Do you know that feeling when you find a trusted resource, someone who is really good at what they do? A good mechanic? Electrician? Dr? Croft... is one of those people.Over the years I've had many surgeries and physical therapy. From my experience, and from my results with him, I am very impressed with Croft's knowledge and experience. He understands how the body is interconnected rather than just focusing on the area that hurts. You can treat the area that hurts but if you don't treat the cause, you're left chasing your tail. As part of one of my treatments, he was working on my diaphragm. I asked him why and he said because my hips didn't have good internal rotation and if he didn't open that area up, it would continue to be a struggle. Sure enough, my internal rotation was better and I had less pain.I wholeheartedly recommend Croft and his staff. They practice 21st century healing. Thanks!read more

Joe Hanson

I've been coming here on and off for 4 years, for various sports injuries and muscle aches. This is THE place to come if you have a specific... problem you need fixing. I've seen all of the therapists here and they all have an incredible knowledge of human physiology and biomechanics. They usually spend the first five minutes assessing your problem so that they can accurately diagnose the root problem (which is often different to what I thought it was!) and then the rest of the session is the most effective and targeted massage you can imagine. I always leave feeling 90-100% better and with some recommended stretches or exercises to help me correct whatever imbalance or weakness had caused the problem. I don't recommend many places, but these guys are truly excellent at what they doread more

grahamhsu

Long overdue review, Castrell's been taking care of me for the last year with my muscular issues. It can be painful but I always come out better.

bjorn rettig

Croft is the best therapist I've ever seen.

Ashley R.

I'm updating my review because Izzie has been so amazing. I went in yesterday with a horrible headache and walked out feeling significantly... relieved after...read more

Charles G.

I've been treated by Croft for some twelve hours total so far. I say, confidently, that every single hour has been worth more, therapy wise,... than every 12...read more

Maria S.

This is my to go place to fix body pains. I've been helped to cope with lumbar spine disk issue, cervical spine pain, shoulder, knee, and more.... Croft is...read more

Laura Lowry

Castrell Neuromuscular Therapy is pure excellence! I have been to many massage businesses in Silicon Valley and I can say, hands down, that this... is the absolute best one.All therapists at this business are wonderful, but I have worked extensively with Croft. He is an expert in his field; he has vast knowledge of the body, knows a variety of modalities and works to find the root of your pain.His top priority is to get you out of distress and then to teach you how to take care and improve your body so you don’t end up in the same situation that brought you to him.I appreciate how he wants all his clients to improve and ultimately not need him anymore. This is so opposite of many therapist, who just want to make money off people.Croft is not only a highly skilled therapist, but his manner and professionalism always make me feel at ease. He is funny, kind and tells the best jokes, just when I need it.I am so thankful I found this place and Croft!read more

Bill Massey

I found Castrell Neuromuscular Therapy through a routine Internet search. I have seen Croft twice now and the results have been incredible. ... Croft is personable, patient, empathetic, and he lets you know what he intends to do and is doing each step of the way. Croft is passionate about what he does, and the results show. These are not "traditional" spa-like massages with a person who has little knowledge of the body. Croft is a licensed and certified sports massage and neuromuscular therapist, and his style produces true results.read more

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Carson Larsen, CMT

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MEET OUR OTHER QUALIFIED THERAPISTS

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