Whole Body Healing

What is Myofascial Release Therapy?

The fascial system is very protective, so it will resist a suddenly applied force.  This explains why faster or more aggressive forms of therapy only produce temporary results or aren't effective at all.  John F. Barnes' approach to Myofascial Release therapy is a safe and highly effective hands-on treatment that involves applying a slow, gentle stretch into the fascial system.  It can provide amazing results, such as decreasing pain and increasing range of motion.  

John F. Barnes developed this treatment following his own injury and finding that traditional physical therapy was not effective for him.  It gets results and never injures anyone.  He has been teaching this holistic approach to myofascial release over 50 years.  Research and science is finally helping to prove what he intuitively knew all those years ago.

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Myofascial Release Treatment

Gentle pressure is applied into an area of restriction, like sinking into soft clay.  This is done without sliding on the skin, therefore no oil or lotion is used during these sessions.  The compression must be sustained at least 90-120 seconds in order for the collagen component of the connective tissue to 'un-stick'.  Then continued pressure for 5 minutes or more, for each restriction, allows the solidified ECM tissues to soften and begin re-hydrating, allowing for more freedom of movement.  Waiting for this change to occur is key to producing a lasting result.  It is important to focus your attention inside your body, noticing what you feel.  

The therapist is not "fixing you", instead is providing a safe environment, facilitating and allowing you to progress on your own healing journey.

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How to Prepare

To prepare for a myofascial (MFR) session, please wear clothing that gives the therapist as much contact with the skin as possible, perhaps a sports bra, bikini top and either bikini bottoms, underwear, or loose fitting athletic shorts.  We begin with a standing postural analysis which can provide information about your body that day, including where you may be restricted.  During the session, you aren't always draped with a sheet because you may be sitting on the massage table or lying on your side, based on what areas need treatment.  You want to be comfortable and able to move around.  Areas of the body that feel hot, hard or tender indicate fascial restrictions.  We might be working somewhere that is seemingly unrelated to your pain or injury, but, because of the connections inside your body, this can help relieve your pain conditions.  

We treat the whole body and not just the symptoms.  The location of the pain or dysfunction is not always where the restriction is located.  We will not always address the whole body in one session, the way a massage does, but the whole body is affected since the fascial system is throughout.  

Please do not use any lotion, after showering, the day of the session.  The therapist's hands need to be able to connect into the skin, without sliding, in order to be effective.  This is not the type of appointment where one should "check out".  Much benefit is found when you stay present with your body and feel.  Quieting ourselves, tuning in, to keep awareness inside the body during a session and providing feedback on feelings or sensations can boost the effectiveness of the session.  Because our bodies store past emotions and/or trauma, in the connective tissue, sometimes there will be spontaneous movement or emotional releases during the session or in the days after.  This is our body's way of self correcting.  If you can ‘take your brakes off’ and open up to releasing some of that 'trapped energy', you may be able to progress in your healing process faster.  Please ask any questions you may have.  I look forward to helping you along your healing journey.