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About Ashley Stafford LMT

Myofascial Orthopedic Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain and Autoimmune Conditions in Lancaster, PA

Who is Ashley Stafford?

I’m Ashley Stafford, the founder of Tranquil Therapy Wellness, an orthopedic massage studio in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that specializes in chronic pain and autoimmune conditions. I have spent over 15 years building a practice rooted in one conviction: that people deserve care that actually fits them, delivered by someone who genuinely understands what it means to live with a body that does not always cooperate.

That understanding did not come from a textbook. It came from my own life.

At Tranquil Therapy, consent is a practice, not a slogan. Sessions are trauma-informed and paced with care, because pain is personal and people are not interchangeable.

TL:DR

  • Founder and therapist: Ashley Stafford, LMT
  • Studio: Tranquil Therapy Wellness (orthopedic myofascial manual massage therapy)
  • Location: The Candy Factory Studios, 321 N Market St Suite K, Lancaster, PA 17603
  • Focus: Chronic pain and autoimmune conditions (fibromyalgia, hEDS/hypermobility patterns, frozen shoulder, headaches)
  • Core methods: Myofascial release, DermoNeuroModulation (DNM), nervous system regulation work
  • Care style: Consent-based, trauma-informed, tailored sessions
  • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00am to 8:00pm; Sunday 11:30am to 7:00pm
  • Contact: (484) 469-8663 | info@tranquiltherapywellness.com

How I Work

My clinical approach is built on myofascial release, DermoNeuroModulation (DNM), and nervous system regulation work. I use a biopsychosocial model, understanding that pain is shaped by biology, psychology, and lived experience, and I bring an orthopedic eye to every session. My work is firm and specific, but the real focus is always on how your body is responding, not on a fixed protocol.

I am currently developing the Stafford Method, a structured and teachable framework for orthopedic myofascial therapy that integrates somatics, advanced manual techniques for the anterior neck, hips, and pelvic floor, and the biopsychosocial model of pain. As part of this work, I now run a mentor residency at Tranquil Therapy Wellness for licensed massage therapists seeking advanced training in orthopedic myofascial technique.

Tranquil Therapy continues to evolve with every new class. I have trained with physical therapists, osteopaths, personal trainers, movement educators, and spent two full years studying somatic movement and mindfulness. I stay current because my clients deserve care that keeps up.

What I’m known for

hEDS and hypermobility: I am known for helping clients find mobility without getting too loose or feeling unstable. This often includes foundational exercises that support stability and control.

Frozen shoulder: I work with frozen shoulder in any stage. I have had strong outcomes working with clients consistently to help the freezing stage settle and to rebuild range of motion through hands-on work, simple at-home exercises, and coordination with your existing healthcare provider when appropriate.

Headaches and computer-worker patterns: Many clients report fewer headaches over time, along with less shoulder and jaw pain. We often address posture and the structural drivers that show up when you live at a computer.

Hip and shoulder pain: I focus on the structural components, calm down the area, and help you understand why it is happening in the first place.

Hard-to-treat chronic issues: I often work with decreased range of motion and chronic patterns that feel hard to explain or hard to shift.

Who I work with most

A lot of my clients live with complex, long-term issues, especially:

-Fibromyalgia 
-hEDS and hypermobility patterns
-Frozen shoulder 
-Headaches (often tied to jaw, neck, shoulders, and computer posture)

If you have been told “everything looks fine” but your body says otherwise, you are not alone. I built this studio for that gap.

A Bit of Background

I grew up on the East Coast, and the region has shaped me in lasting ways. I still love it here. But my early years were not easy. As a teenager, I faced serious challenges at home and used substances to cope. I got help before my 15th birthday and have carried that chapter with me ever since, not as something to hide, but as something that informs how I show up for people who are hurting.

I know what it feels like to need support and not know where to find it. That is part of why my studio is built the way it is.

Education and Training

The Education That Changed Everything

I was studying biochemistry when a single conversation at a regional Burning Man event redirected my entire path. Within a week I had left the degree and enrolled in Wilmington Deep Tissue Massage School. I struggled, took the licensing exam twice, and passed. That process, including the setback, led me directly to the mentors who shaped my practice.

Within weeks of earning my license in Delaware, I landed a live-in apprenticeship with Ann Wilkinson, a physical therapist whose influence on my approach cannot be overstated. For two years, I learned manual therapy from the inside out, working alongside Ann and her clients with a depth of hands-on immersion that no classroom could replicate. I also completed Anne’s Myofascial Osteopathy and Manual (MOM) Technique Level 1 & 2. In the final year of that arrangement, I also began working with and learning from Dr. Lipton in Narberth, PA, which expanded my orthopedic lens further.

Beyond the Treatment Room

I have been a fire spinner and juggler since 2008, and I am currently learning salsa. These are not incidental details. I am drawn to the intersection of discipline and play, to practices that ask the body to be fully present. That orientation shows up in how I work.

I am also the founder of AJL, a business that helps practitioners and small businesses build their web presence through website development, SEO strategy, and AI optimization. My understanding of how people search for care, and how providers can be found by the people who need them, informs how I have built Tranquil Therapy’s own presence.

I love the East Coast, being in nature, and finding my reset wherever I can.

Just a few certificates from over the years.

5 FAQ

Tranquil Therapy Wellness is located inside The Candy Factory Studios at 321 N Market St Suite K, Lancaster, PA 17603.

No. Tranquil Therapy Wellness is a private-pay practice and does not take insurance. We do however have an NPI number which is used for reimbursement in addition to a prescription/ letter of necessity from your physician. Check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify for reimbursement. 

People looking for an orthopedic myofascial approach to chronic pain and autoimmune-related pain patterns, including fibromyalgia, hEDS/hypermobility patterns, frozen shoulder, and headaches.

You can expect a short check-in and plan-setting before hands-on work. We might perform some assessment tests prior to treatment. 

Frequency depends on what you are working on. We offer a Wellness Program that is structured as 6 sessions used within 3 months, for best results in that program.

Other projects Ashley Stafford is a part of

(TBS)Tranquil Business Solutions:  where I help implement SEO and gather Analytics to improve your business. Plus things like Website Building (simple websites, like this one!). I can also help with your brand or refer you to your best fit. Things like creating content for your website or social media. I can also help out with some I.T work and work with one of the best (Tim)!

Consent Culture Initiative: Ashley has stepped down as Executive Director for CCI and held a Board position until 2024. CCI was a grassroots partnership creating consent based education and trainings. These trainings help businesses practice consent in their work place through a trauma informed approach. All of our trainings are peer reviewed before being published.

Ashley Stafford holing a blue water cup with a virgin of guadelupe themed juggling club. She has a seagreen top, silver hoop earrings, and an obsidian pendant.

Held a board position for Revolution Lancaster as well as Development Committee Co-Chair

Revolution provided a supportive community and supplemental income to women affected by homelessness or facing barriers.