History

How the School Began

Deep Muscle Therapy began with Georg Alzner. Trained in Europe as an orthopaedic masseur, he spent about forty years treating people and refining a method that brought reflexology and deep muscle work together. To pass that method on, he founded the Alzner School of Reflexology and Deep Muscle Therapy and also the Physiatric Therapeutic Association in London, Ontario.

Although Dr. Alzner passed away in 1985, his knowledge and techniques continue to live on through those he trained.

From the Alzner School to the Academy Today

Lois Sawatzky, as one of the practitioners trained at the Alzner School, carried this work forward and has helped countless individuals improve their health. Grateful for the foundational training she received, she opened a clinic at the Atrium in Waterloo—along with two satellite clinics, in Aylmer and Cambridge—and trained assistants as her practice expanded.

Later, alongside Mary Scheucher, RN, BA, she developed an anatomy and physiology curriculum, integrating advanced techniques developed through her own clinical experience. That expanded training program ultimately evolved into the Academy of Deep Muscle Therapy.

Autobiography: Lois Sawatzky, D.M.T., C.R. #D05395

(January 16, 1950 - November 4, 2021)

At 12 years of age, a severe fall on metal edged stairs crushed my coccyx, broke some ribs and damaged my lumbar spine. I saw an orthopedic surgeon who told me I had torn muscles, broken my coccyx and my spine was like spaghetti. Surgery, he said, would have a 95% failure rate. I lived on painkillers which made sitting in high school and college very difficult. I saw many chiropractors over the years; their prognosis was that I would need their adjustments 5-6 days per week. They accepted me as a chronic case and I only received temporary relief. In 1969 I was married, and my husband drove me many miles for treatments. Any prolonged sitting position rendered me with paralysis in my lower limbs. At age 29 I birthed our youngest son, and the pain became much worse. At times I had to crawl the stairs on my knees. In Newfoundland I was given a Chiropractic adjustment that gave me a major whiplash. According to my next chiropractor, he had almost broken my neck. People in our church joined us in prayer and God in His mercy, gave me healing in my back.

My husband had a white-collar job and was studying for his Master’s degree. He would ask me to treat his neck and experienced much relief. He developed a frozen shoulder and a tennis-arm from much writing; treating him relieved the pain and gave mobility to the shoulder. He recognized my God-given gift as well as others that sought treatment. In 1992 we moved to Kitchener-Waterloo ON. I saw Dr. Paul Gilmore Sr. who asked me if I wanted a cure for my neck pain; he scheduled me for six days a week for three months. In spite of weeks of nausea, he was able to give me great relief. Shortly thereafter, my husband encouraged me to get training to enhance the gift that God had given me. I enrolled in classes in London, Ontario. I am grateful for the technique that I was taught. Upon completion of those studies I felt a quest to learn more, especially anatomy and physiology.

I opened three clinics; one at the Atrium in Waterloo and two satellite clinics in Aylmer and Cambridge. I was working over fifty hours per week and doing much traveling. I recognized my need for an assistant and in 1998 I trained two ladies from Aylmer and one in Cambridge to help with the clientele load.

Some of my clients became students in London and requested further training under my tutorship. Mary Scheucher RN. , BA. , assisted me in formulating the curriculum of anatomy and physiology. Having treated many clients in the past years, I added further technique to the treatment. We spent hours weekly for a prolonged period of time developing the course; she was a great and valuable assistant and an encouraging mentor. I sought an understanding of the names of muscles, their location and function. I found myofascial trigger point release and its pain pattern fascinating, like a GPS in the body.

I have enjoyed teaching ready minds and gifted students that have become effective therapists. I thank the Good Lord for this awesome privilege.

I thank my husband, Dr. Neil Sawatzky, for his countless hours of assistance and encouragement.

2020 was my year of decision to pass the mantle to a therapist who had years of experience and was effective in the lives of many. Not only did she have passion to help her clients, but a fervor to continue this technique, knowing it to be very effective. I pass on the responsibility of teaching students to Maria Redecop, praying God will bless her and multiply her efforts to graduate many successful certified Deep Muscle Therapists.