MYOFASCIAL RELEASE WORKS
"Fascia is what holds us together. There are very few diseases that don't have a fascia component. " ---Fredrick Grinnel, cell biologist
MYOFASCIA
MYO = muscle + FASCIA = connective tissue.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a thin incredibly tough connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a three-dimensional web. It supports, protects, envelops and becomes part of the muscles, bones, nerves, organs, and blood vessels, from the largest structures right down to the cellular level. There are a number of reasons why fascia restricts including anxiety, trauma, injuries, thwarted inflammatory responses and surgical procedures, which can add to the body's misalignment, creating vicious cycles of pain, tighteness and dysfunction.
Who needs to be concerned?
Most people have unrecognized fascial restrictions and after a period of time, these restrictions may begin to affect the circulatory and lymphatic systems, musculature, nerves, osseous structures, and discs, resulting in what we commonly name “symptoms.” Most people’s fascial restrictions go unnoticed prior to symptoms emerging because myofascial restrictions do not show on up on any of the standard tests, like x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, and blood work.
MFR to the Rescue!
At MFRWorks, we specialize in the John H. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach. This graceful whole-body, hands-on therapy relieves the 'straight-jacket' of pressure and pain caused by fascia restrictions, in turn promoting authentic healing.
The approach is a fusion of ancient wisdom and recently discovered scientific insights. It consists of applying sustained pressure into restricted tissue without gliding on the surface of the skin. By doing so the elastic, muscular and collagenous components of the soft tissue are engaged. As the clock ticks, this friendly pressure facilitates the piezoelectric-phenomenon, which means it stimulates the tissue to create electricity; giving it the energy to elongate.
In order to achieve a permanent elongation, or “release”, MFR is applied based on the unique needs of the tissue— on upwards to 5-7 minutes. Each MFR session is performed directly on the skin without oils or creams or machinery, to enable the therapist to sensitively listen under the skin, detecting fascia restrictions and applying the appropriate amount of pressure to facilitate a release, whether that be “light” or “deep.”
Following a series of releases, as the restrictions melt, the tissue begins to rehydrate. Rehydration brings the tissue back to life, so to speak!
Conditions MFR Treats
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. MFR is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:
* Decreased Anxiety *. Enhanced Sleep. *. Greater Energy
* Improved Concentration *. Increased Circulation * Reduced Fatigue
MFR can also help to specifically address a number of health issues:
* Back Pain & Scoliosis
* Cervical Pain
* Chronic Pain
* Carpel Tunnel
* Depression
* Expectant Mothers
* Fibromyalgia
* Geriatrics
* Headaches
* Head Trauma
* Hip Pain
* Joint Pain and Stiffness
* Lymph Flow
* Medication Dependence
* Menstrual Issues
* Overuse injuries
* Postural Distortions
* Post Surgery Adhesions
* Rehabilitation
* Scoliosis
* Spasming and Cramping
* Sports Injuries
* Spiritual Healing
* TMJ
* Workout Recovery
* Wrinkle Reduction
The History- Key Pioneers
Sadly for hundreds of years, the fascia system has been under recognized. Rather then studying it in depth, like the cardiovascular system, researchers merely pealed it away under the false assumption that it was just a covering or separating material. Perhaps the lack of technological know-how prevented them from exploring how the fascia of a cadaver, might behave differently then the fascia of a living being?
Gratefully, in 2005, a curious surgeon, Dr. Jean-Claude Guimberteau, changed all of this. He used his advanced fiber-optic surgical tools, to peak inside living fascia. Surprise! It behaves much differently than previously assumed, launching the beginning of a gigantic paradigm shift. As well as launching fascia into the headlines!.
The videos below share the emerging knowledge, highlighting key pioneers in this field:
Video 1: John Harty PT, gives summary of John H Barnes approach, highlighting its crystalline nature. (5:20)
Video 2: John H Barnes PT, explains what is happening at a cellular level during MFR session. (3:39)
Video 3: Dana Sterling PT, creatively weaves together educational presentation on fascia. (11:57)
Video 4: Ronelle Wood, author of Touching Light, adds commentary as Dr. Guimberteau takes a peak at living fascia.(14:56)
Video 5: John H Barnes PT, gives scientific rational behind his technique. (27:43)
