Learn the method that allows you to be more efficient and effective in your massage practice.
Iler Method is trigger point therapy that gives you a roadmap to more efficiently and effectively treat pain.
What Makes Iler Method Different? Attend a Weekend Intensive Join the Iler Method Subscription ProgramOverview
What Makes the Iler Method Different?
A Roadmap to Treat Pain
The Iler Method provides a clear roadmap to treat pain, beginning with a comprehensive client Discovery Session. This initial step includes an intake interview, a moving assessment, and an on-table pain assessment.
The Discovery Session provides all the information needed to develop a treatment plan, helping therapists understand the extent of the work required and areas that need attention over time.
Treatment Takes Place Over Multiple Sessions
Iler Method® clients often realize even before they see us that long-lasting pain doesn’t resolve in one session. If an injury takes months or years to develop, it will take time to recover with therapy.
We recommend up to a 10 session plan. Our approach fosters a therapeutic relationship by incorporating multiple assessments and comprehensive client feedback to address discomfort and pain..
No Oil Means Less Time Cleaning and Laundering
The Iler Method® doesn’t use effleurage or petrissage, so oil is unnecessary. This makes it easier for therapists to clean up after sessions, allowing them to spend more time with clients.
Additionally, since no oil is used, clients don’t need to shower afterward, making fitting a massage appointment into their day easier.
No Music Means Better Client-Therapist Communication
The Iler Method focuses on pain treatment rather than relaxation; listening to music can distract clients. When clients listen to music, they often zone out and lose awareness of their bodies, missing the opportunity to observe gradual changes in their tissue.
No music makes the environment more conducive to sharing, teaching, and communication between therapist and client.
Not in the Dark
The goal of the Iler Method is pain relief, not relaxation, so there’s no need to be in a dimly lit room.
The therapist remains more alert and attuned to the clients, and the clients stay more awake and attuned to their bodies, providing important feedback to the therapist.
Clients Remain Dressed.
Because no oil is used, clients remain dressed during sessions. They are instructed to wear comfortable clothing, which makes them feel less vulnerable and more free to move or adjust on the table.
In addition, eliminating the top sheet reduces linen usage, saving time and natural resources.
Traditional Massage Training
Traditional Western massage schools teach deep tissue and Eastern massage philosophies and techniques. This approach has several limitations:
- Therapists often only see clients once, while most chronic pain issues don’t resolve in a single session.
- Therapists can only identify tight muscles through palpation without a pre-planned strategy for where to begin bodywork.
- Therapists typically follow the same bodywork pattern for every client, treating the whole body each session, which is an inefficient use of time.
- Traditional massage strokes help clients reach deeper states of relaxation, which limits important client feedback during sessions.
“My time learning the Iler Method with David was the most impactful experience of my massage career. He provided a concise curriculum and expert hands-on guidance to improve my practice. What makes David's approach stand out is the efficiency and effectiveness of his techniques compared to other massage therapy modalities. His theories and practices offer a clear roadmap of where and how to work with clients to relieve their pain. If you want to stand out from the crowd as an LMT, I can't recommend his course enough.”
“I started out initially with David Iler as a client. He helped me immensely and was instrumental in my recovery after thoracic outlet surgery. He is truly an expert body worker. At the time, I was also a massage therapist just starting out. I was lucky enough to then work with David as student as well as an employee. David is an excellent teacher. He is very knowledgeable and has a relaxed teaching style and an open/accepting attitude. Learning and practicing the Iler Method quickly accelerated my growth as a massage therapist, improving my understanding of body mechanics, technique, as well as therapeutic presence and rapport with clients. It was a great and rewarding experience. Thanks David!”
Take a weekend intensive and begin using the ller Method® by Monday.
Join us for a weekend intensive workshop to learn how the Iler Method enhances traditional massage practices with innovative techniques and pain assessments. Our workshop will help you understand and apply our methods efficiently, enabling you to incorporate them into your practice on Monday.
The workshop is intentionally kept small, with a maximum of 12 participants, to ensure that everyone receives focused, hands-on training.
Subscribe to our free newsletter to stay informed about upcoming dates for our following intensives and to learn more about our approach.
Upcoming Weekend Intensive Courses
Reach out to David if you have any questions.
Not available
Therapist subscription
Subscribe to Iler Method for video tutorials and the Iler Method newsletter.
Get access to the Iler Method library of tutorials with a therapist subscription.
Go to the full video libraryPrices
- Full video library
- Monthly 1-hour Q & A on Zoom with David answering questions from group members and fostering conversation between group members.
- Cancel the monthly subscription any time
- (Coming soon) Free digital version of Iler Method course book on Amazon (value: $129)
- 2 free, one-on-one consultations with David
- 30 days to cancel