What is Myofascial Release ?
Myofascial Release (MFR), as taught by John F. Barnes, is a highly effective, full body, hands-on approach. The pressure used during treatment is gentle, and never done beyond a client’s tolerance. This manual therapy can provide amazing results for decreasing pain and increasing range of motion. It views each individual as a whole person and creates an environment to allow one’s self to inherently heal.
Physical trauma, inflammation or postural misalignment can cause fascial restrictions leading to pressure on pain sensitive structures. This excessive pressure acts as a “straight jacket” in our body, producing symptoms such as pain, headaches or limited range of motion. The modality of MFR uses sustained pressure and gentle stretching or compression into the fascial system, allowing it to regain fluidity and relieve the tension of this connective tissue.
Although MFR addresses the symptoms at hand, it is designed to discover and rectify the restrictions that are often the root of the problem! The therapist sustains pressure and follows any motion that occurs three-dimensionally as the surrounding myofascial environment releases and eliminates or reduces the bracing or holding patterns in the subconscious tissue memory. Treatments are generally slow paced and gentle to allow facilitation of these releases naturally.
How does JFB MFR Differ From Other Myofascial Release Approaches?
Myofascial Release (MFR) is a hands-on soft tissue technique that facilities the movement and healing of the fascial system. The ultimate goal is to help release fascial restrictions (e.g. scars, tissue damage, stress, etc.) to allow your body to properly realign and heal naturally, thus returning you to normal function, movement and sensation.
The John F. Barnes’ MFR approach differs from many others by:
……..Working with the myofascial system through gentle pressures and sustained movements or stretches of the connective tissues and mobilizations of bones. This is due to fascias’ function, which is to protect your body from trauma or injury. If engaged too hard or too fast, the connective tissue just recoils to protect your body. Tissue cannot simultaneously release and stretch while it is also contracting. If this happens healing shuts down, limiting blood supply, neural input, and tissue mobility. If treatment continues while the tissue is in a protective response, then all that is being achieved is superficial releases.
…….Applying techniques within the body’s limits, never forcing structures. The highly skilled therapists can feel subtle changes within the tissue and are acutely aware of pain and tissue limits. Your tissue is giving them constant feedback that allows for them to appropriately adjust during the treatment. However, your feedback is always welcome.
…….Looking to the entire body for answers. While we treat the inflamed and restricted areas, we focus on finding the root cause of the problem which we believe can include many physical as well as emotional ailments. It is our goal to not just treat symptoms, but identify and treat the root cause of the impairment to help you reduce pain, restore motion and/or increase performance for long lasting results.
…….Working without a protocol. Each treatment is different every time. This allows the therapist to adapt appropriately to the needs of the patient as symptoms and tissues are constantly evolving.
Through the gentle, non-invasive touch of JFB MFR, many people have already experienced the benefits of reducing or eliminating back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, migraines, and more. It has helped innumerable people around the world to permanently relieve symptoms traditional medicines could do nothing about. Being courageous, patient and listening deeply pays off in unimaginable ways.
Learn more about the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach on his website or read his blog. The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® is considered to be the ultimate mind/body therapy. It is a completely safe, extremely effective revolutionary manual therapy that stretches and hydrates the connective tissue in the body (fascia) in order to eliminate the causes of pain and restriction. It is safe, gentle and consistently effective in increasing range of motion and function.
Mary Hessler, LPTA/LMT is an expert-level therapist trained in the John F. Barnes MFR approach. For greatest effectiveness, Myofascial Release treatment is best received:
After a postural analysis
On bare skin, with no oil or lotion
With a skilled practitioner
In a safe environment
With an open mind
With a desire for authentic healing
While giving yourself permission to explore and let go