President, CEO & Senior Instructor
Dr. Ryan Shepherd, N.D., A.P., L.Ac, R.Ac., CMTPT
Ryan earned his Bachelors of Science degree as a Medical Herbalist from the University of Westminster in London, UK, and his Naturopathy and Nutritional Therapy degrees from the College of Naturopathic Medicine with a specific focus in functional medicine.
Ryan moved to Nanjing, China, where he studied under Dr. Zhonghua Fu (the inventor of FSN - Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling), becoming the first certified student of FSN in the West.
After returning to his hometown Toronto, Canada, he studied another three years at the Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine to become a licensed Acupuncturist.
After receiving FDA approval in March, 2018, Ryan is continuing to work closely with schools across the globe, integrating FFT into teaching programs, clinics and continuing education.
Marketing events manager
Erwin Garcia, B.S.B.A, CMP
Erwin has a degree in Business Administration and is a certified event planner. He has experience in corporate planning and consulting for several businesses. Erwin continues to use his skill set to oversee the activity and operations of FFT alongside organizing private training courses for professionals in hospital settings and private practice.
As Erwin is an avid animal lover, in 2017 he organized an event for Best Friends Animal Society where he contributed to the planning and management of "Strut Your Mutt" Austin, followed by a roll as event manager for "The Vanderpump Dogs Foundation" in the Hollywood area. Both organizations focus in the wellbeing of cats and dogs in our community.
Regional sales manager & Assistant instructor
Alex Lin, R.Ac., R.TCM.P
Alex is a 4th generation TCM practitioner in his family lineage. He has had apprentice experience in multiple private TCM clinics and hospitals in Taiwan and Canada. He is an instructor of Acupuncture and Chinese herbology in Canada.
Alex is certified in FFT using Fu’s Subcutaneous Needle and DAO needle therapy for the treatment of Neuromyofacial pain and dysfunction.
Alex has a clinical focus in pain management, internal medicine and preventative medicine.
Assistant Instructors
Dr. Brendan Glackin, D.PT. CSCS, CMTPT
Brendan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies at Rutgers University and received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Dr. Glackin completed extensive dry needling training and is credentialed to practice dry needling in the state of Maryland through Myopain Seminars (CMTPT). He continued his education to become an Assistant Instructor through Myopain Seminars and educates proper dry needling technique to multiple disciplines (physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, etc.).
Dr. Glackin first met Dr. Shepherd while attending the first Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) course through Myopain Seminars in April 2019. Dr. Glackin was immediately fascinated with this approach due to his interest in fascial restriction, a concept he feels lacks emphasis in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Dr. Glackin continued his self-study with guidance from Dr. Shepherd – together they presented at the Maryland American Physical Therapy Association Annual Chapter meeting, titled “Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling & the Fascial Sciences”.
Dr. Glackin is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He uses his knowledge in the fascial sciences to maximize connective tissue elasticity and strength in the rehabilitation process.
Outside of the office, Dr. Glackin is a passionate soccer fan and currently plays in various leagues around Baltimore, MD. He enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Melanie Jacoby, PT, MPT, CMTPT/DN
Melanie earned her Masters of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore in 1997.
Melanie’s career has been focused in outpatient orthopedics/sports medicine as has experience with high level neuro patients as well.
Melanie is an experienced aquatic therapist and helped develop the aquatics program that Anne Arundel Medical Group(AAMG) uses today. Melanie has acted as CCCE/CI for AAMG PT, coordinating the placement of physical therapy students in clinical settings and serving as a clinical instructor.
Melanie is also certified in Manual Trigger Point Therapy/Dry Needling and has been practicing this skill since 2013. Dry needing has been an excellent tool for the management of some of the toughest pain and mobility cases with good results. She is certified in FFT using Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling, affecting the fascial component to assist in managing myofascial pain. She is also a teaching assistant for this technique.
Melanie is very ‘hands on’ in her treatment style. She applies her experience in orthopedics with a variety of treatment tools to develop specialized treatment plans that are unique for each patient.
Igal Untershats, RMT., Medical Acupuncture Practitioner
Igal is a graduate of Sutherland Chan School of Massage and the Contemporary/Medical acupuncture program from McMaster University. As a registered Massage Therapist he brings a passionate interest in the application of soft tissue therapy for recovery after injury, restoration of health and injury prevention.
Igal applies a focused and goal-oriented approach, based on orthopedic assessment to determine the best techniques to increase the treatment outcomes. Using a variety of modalities such as : Myofascial release, Positional release, Muscle energy, Swedish massage, Cupping therapy,
Acupuncture/Dry needling, Electro Acupuncture, Fascial needling, he provides targeted treatments to decrease soft tissue and nerve pain, to reduce soft tissue adhesions, muscle tightness, acute/chronic pain.
He enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle, practicing yoga, backpacking & travelling, playing percussion instruments .
Igal is fluent in Russian and Hebrew.
And currently treating at a few clincs around Toronto Ontario, Canada.