Our Story

Ascent Wellness was born because of Leigh's passion for working on individuals with two modalities with which she has had both personal and professional success.  In 2009, while working on her case study for her doctorate, she did research on myofascial restrictions including trigger points, taut bands and fascial connections throughout the body.  It became very clear that the many different kinds of fascia were not only rich with mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors, but the fascia could also bind down due to physical (overuse or injury specific) or emotional (stress, abuse, tension) trauma.  The result of fascia binding down to muscles or other tissues is compressive force, which causes pain, poor nutrition in joint capsules, decreased power output, decreased range of motion and generalized anxiety.

Ever since physical therapy school, Leigh had envisioned a wellness clinic that would focus on neuromyofascial restrictions, but was unclear how to properly execute this plan. In the summer of 2017, Leigh went to Simply Stretch LA to visit with Lindsay, a friend, occupational therapist and former classmate who was using Graston instruments combined with Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST).  Suffering from chronic pain, Leigh was in search of a treatment that could potentially help her as well as future patients.  After 1 treatment session, freedom of movement and strength/power output was so improved that Leigh was convinced of the efficacy of this treatment approach. Lindsay at Simply Stretch LA has been so genuinely enthusiastic and supportive of Leigh's journey and it is clear that these treatment modalities are so impactful that they need to be shared.

Leigh considers herself very lucky that Josh Spiker, owner of Mile 26 Sports was interested in sharing this journey.  The evolution of Ascent Wellness was organic, from Josh allowing Leigh to hold a Thomas Fire Fundraiser upstairs to building a client base and seeing them upstairs at Mile 26, to the construction of a very quaint office space in the Mile 26 Recovery Zone. In Dec, 2018, Leigh moved downtown to the Ventura Executive Suites building for a slightly larger space. In Dec, 2021, Dr. Mike Scarber joined the practice, bringing his sports experience, leadership and expertise. Mike and Leigh are now located in a larger facility at 110 N. Olive St. Suite 110M, Ventura, CA 93001.

Using Graston, MFR (John Barnes myofascial release) and FST together, Leigh's treatment approach is holistic, addressing not only isolated muscles, but entire fascial lines and joint capsules.  This can create not only a physical release, but at times an emotional release, since stress and tension can be housed in bound down neuromyofascia. The results are a full mind, body, spirit experience which is therapeutic and healing for Leigh's clients. 

Additionally, Ascent Wellness is a 1 Percent For the Planet Business Member, and local 501C3 non-profit Runners For Public Lands is the beneficiary.