MYOFASCIAL RELEASE WORKS
QUESTIONS
"Understanding about the science of fascia is really important for people who are investigating different ways of being healthy other than surgery or drugs."
--Frederick Grinnell, cell biologist
WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE is a form of manual therapy that addresses the restrictions and imbalances in the connective tissue of the body. It is promotes wellness, decreases or eliminates pain and restores movement. The John F Barnes Approach is uniquely holistic and has been effectively treating patients for over 40 years, gaining recognition as a powerful and effective treatment. It is comprised of three parts: structural releases, unwinding, and rebounding. Corrective-exercise, and self-treatment techniques are encouraged to empower clients to become active participants in their own healing.
WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?Â
WHAT DOES MYOFASCIAL RELEASE FEEL LIKE?Â
WHAT DOES MYOFASCIAL RELEASE FEEL LIKE?
Most of us are NOT taught how to feel. Especially, if we are high-achievers, athletes and the like. My job as your MFR therapist is to teach you how to do so, maximizing the effectiveness of the session. Compression, traction, cross-handed and other manual techniques will be used to support you in letting go. Unlike in Rolfing, and other therapies, if you find yourself "bracing or resisting", that is counterproductive to what we are aiming to accomplish. Instead the treatment will feel tangible, but manageable, supporting you to soften, melt and let go. I will coach you along the way, tapping into your body's intelligence, and supporting you to give voice to that intelligence. Patience will be practiced. Holds may be extended out to three to five to eight minutes and even longer, in support of recent scientific research. Treatments of this nature, feel wondrous.
WHERE WILL MY MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
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WHERE WILL MY MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Your myofascial release session will take place in a comfortable, warm, quiet room. Music may be played to help you relax. A majority of the session on a table designed for your comfort, other parts, on a yoga mat.
WILL I BE COVERED DURING THE SESSION?
Ideally, no. As your fascia unwinds, you might feel an urge to move. In effect, sheets and blankets become cumbersome. They are provided and will be available to support your comfort.
WILL I BE COVERED DURING THE SESSION?
WHAT PARTS OF MY BODY WILL BE TREATED?Â
WHAT PARTS OF MY BODY WILL BE TREATED?
Each session invites us to be fully present, to assess which areas of your body are most pressing to treat. In effect, we will be reading your body at the top of the session, and will "look, listen and feel" into your fascia as we go along. It is my job to teach you how to do so. Science is proving that fascia prefers long steady holds of a moderate intensity lasting five to eight minutes or even longer. In effect, we will be zeroing in on specific parts of your body each session. Over the course of several treatments, our aim is to treat your entire body. (unless otherwise instructed by your fascia!)
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Relate to this session, much like you would going to the gym. Bring along loose fitting shorts and a t-shirt/sports bra. Or a bathing suite is ideal. We need access to your skin. (Underwear and nudity are not accommodated.)
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT THE DAY OF THE SESSION?
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT THE DAY OF THE SESSION?
*Do not use lotion the day of your treatment. We need to have gentle traction on the skin.
*Arrive well hydrated.
*Avoid all intoxicants prior to your session, especially plant medicines such as marijuana. Drugs whether they are medicinal or recreational interfere with the authentic expression of feelings. Talk to your physician before making any changes to your prescriptions. (I reserve the right to refuse treatment to anyone who arrives intoxicated.)
WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING THE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION?
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WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING THE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION?
If there was one mantra to guide this treatment it would be to “soften- melt—let go!” You will hear me encourage you to do so many times during the session. You also will hear me encourage you to do the opposite! To heighten your inner- awareness, curiously shining it into the areas you feel the most resistance. I want you to be completely fixated on your inner-experience, feeling deeply into your body. Being willing to "be with" it all, even inviting forward spontaneous movement. This approach supports the fascia in unwinding. Ultimately, you set the pace and the depth at which this occurs. I am here to teach you how to do so. It's very much a skill. It also is a team effort.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION?
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER A MYOFASCIAL RELEASE SESSION?
Most people feel very relaxed, since the session is designed to move your nervous system out of fear into a flow state. What ever is in the way of that, may come up to be cleared during the session or in the days following. During this time your body will be processing chemicals that got trapped against muscle when the fascial sleeve contracted. This chemical cocktail includes adrenaline, lactic acid and uric acid. As a result you may have an odd array of feelings arise, some that may be uncomfortable to experience. Be gentle with yourself. You are clearing out your chemical history, from events that may have taken place decades ago. Since toxins are releasing, make self-honoring choices such as napping and drink plenty of water.
ARE THERE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD MAKE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE INADVISABLE?
ARE THERE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD MAKE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE INADVISABLE?
Yes, while the John F Barnes approach to Myofascial Release is safe and effective for most conditions, there are some conditions which require special consideration. There also are some conditions for which the approach is contraindicated. At the top of your first session, you will given a Health History Form to fill out, inviting you to disclose any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for bodywork prior to your first session. Depending on your condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
HOW SOON AFTER AN INJURY IS IT SAFE TO RECEIVE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?
HOW SOON AFTER SURGERY IS IT SAFE TO RECEIVE MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?
Treatment working off-body, can begin immediately after a surgery. Otherwise, wait 6-8 weeks after surgery for any on-body treatment. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for bodywork prior to your first session. Depending on your condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
HOW MANY MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Your body tells your life story through its holding patterns. These begin in the womb and are set in place based on how we are taught to behave as youngsters, add to that accidentally falling off your bike, bumps, bruise, scrapes, any surgery, a desk job, a "back' that goes out, to name a few pieces of the holding puzzle. The idea that one session is going to be effective enough to overcome a lifetime of holding seems ambitious. Rather, instead consider a series of sessions. Repetition deepens the release. Consider a series of four treatments to begin, after which we can re-assess how to move forward. Schedule your sessions as close together as possible: ie: 3 a week minimum for several weeks. We need to create enough momentum to interrupt your old patterns and create new ones.
HOW MANY MYOFASCIAL RELEASEÂ TREATMENTSÂ WILL I NEED?
HOW MUCH DO SESSIONS COST?Â
HOW MUCH DO SESSIONS COST?
Contact us directly, to learn about fees and payment methods.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE SESSION?
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE SESSION?
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MORE OF THE SAME = MORE OF THE SAME: No matter how amazing you feel after your treatment, if you go back to the same way of relating to yourself, it is unlikely the benefits of the session will hold over time. Holistic lifestyle expert, Paul Chek likes to say “More of the same = More of the same.” In effect, make changes in your lifestyle to support your healing. Consider making them microscopic, since they are easy to carry out, requiring little effort, yet, they can produce BIG results!
ZIGZAG: “Healing” is a process not an event.” The path zigzags. As you let go, you are moving toward healing and away from deterioration. Your body is saying good-bye to long-held experiences. Allow yourself to keep feeling whatever comes up. Be kind and patient with yourself. You are letting go of the past, inviting the body to come present.
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GO NUTS!: My favorite advice from Ronelle Wood is “I know this sounds contradictory, but if you really want to keep yourself together, allow yourself to fall apart!" GO NUTS! Let off steam! Over time unexpressed emotion backs up in the fascia, transforming a person into highly reactive being. Consciously give yourself permission to “throw a hissy fit” or hit the “pressure release valve” throughout your week. This can be a way to “go nuts” every so often, rather then to end up “going crazy!