Myofascial Release Therapy
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What is John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release (MFR) Approach®?
The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach consists of gentle application of sustained pressure into the body, minimum of 3-5 minutes, waiting at the fascial “barrier” for tissue re-hydration to occur.
This important “time element” has a melting effect in the hardened tissues, creating a viscous flow and piezo-electric effect for the fascia to release. Once hydration occurs in the system, it creates a body that is more open, with significant reduction in pain and stiffness, and overall increase in function.
At MFR YOGA, the conventional Physical Therapy techniques (that are reductionist) have been integrated with Myofascial Release (that is holistic).
The table below very clearly illustrates the stark differences between the two models-
What is Fascia and How Trauma Occurs
Fascia is a tough connective tissue, which spreads throughout the entire body in a three-dimensional web from head to toe. Every organ, bone, muscle, nerve, artery, tissue and even cell of the body is surrounded by a continuous laminated tissue called fascia.
Any kind of physical or emotional trauma, injury or inflammation first manifests in the fascia resulting in restrictions and dehydration before presenting as symptoms of pain, stiffness, inflammation and rigidity of motion.
Piezoelectricity
Piezoelectricity is a Greek word that means “electricity by pressure.”
It is well-known that each of our cells is crystalline in nature. When you place pressure into a crystal, it creates an electrical flow.
The sustained pressure of John F. Barnes’ Approach to myofascial release coupled with the time element (5 min or longer per restriction site) creates a bio-electrical flow in our bodies; in other words, the motion of our mind, which leads into mechanotransduction.
Mechanotransduction
Mechanotransduction, or sustained mechanical pressure, can also create biomechanical changes within our bodies. Importantly, Myofascial Release produces Interleukin 8, our bodies natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Research has shown that elimination of inflammation is an important part of the healing process; however, when inflammation has been thwarted, it tends to solidify the ground substance of the fascial system, which should be fluid.
This then blocks healing, and over time tends to continue to solidify into crushing restrictions that produce symptoms many of our clients come to us for treatment. It is no longer enough to just treat the effects or symptoms anymore (traditional therapy).
Healing Begins
Phase Transition
Phase transition occurs when piezoelectricity and mechanotransduction dovetail together. This is the phenomena of ice transforming into water. In our bodies, a similar occurrence happens.
The solification of the ground substance becomes more fluid, allowing tissues to rehydrate and glide, taking crushing pressure (2,ooo lbs/square inch) off pain-sensitive structures.
Chaos Theory
Everything in traditional medicine and therapy is insisted upon order and control. However, true growth and healing cannot occur in a controlled, orderly way.
Systems theory states that nature goes through continuous periods of order and chaos. It is in the chaotic phase that reorganization occurs. Then, the system returns to a higher level of order.
It appears that for a phase transition to occur, there is a period of chaos for ice to transform into water- or in our body/mind for the solidified ground substance of the fascial system to transform into a more viscous/fluid state.
Resonance
When one human touches another human, their vibratory rates are quite different on a molecular level. However, with sustained pressure at the fascial restriction, the vibratory rates will become identical creating resonance.
Resonance is the very essence of John F. Barnes’ approach to myofascial release. This is what he calls a “release”.
“Release occurs both in the cranial area and throughout the body. Resonance, unfortunately, does not occur in other forms of therapy due to the sheer fact that these other therapies are too quick, hence providing only temporary results. The good news is myofascial release coupled with various forms of massage, bodywork and energy techniques can enhance your effectiveness as a practitioner. This is why it is important to learn the art of locating fascial restrictions, which are unique to each individual. Combine this with sustained pressure of five minutes or longer and your clients will have the profound and lasting results they deserve.”
John F. Barnes
Therapy Appointment Questions
What to Expect
What to wear?
We recommend patients to bring in or wear elastic waisted shorts during treatment. (We provide shorts to borrow if you forget one)
Ladies, also wear sports bra with thin straps for easy access on neck, shoulders and back area for treatment.
What Will My First Appointment be Like?
On your first MFR session, you will fill out Q & A paperwork necessary to document why you need our skilled therapy treatment, giving us permission to treat you, receive postural analysis, education on MFR related topics and hands-on treatment. This will take approximately 1.5 hrs.
Will I be able to move around during treatment if I feel tension in my body?
Are Oils or Lotions Used?
What does MFR Treatment feel like?
This will feel like ” hands sinking and making an imprint on a soft clay.” True MFR is never forced. This gentle pressure can bring about sensations of warmth, cold, pulsing, tingling, pulling or even pain or discomfort on the area and/or other parts of the body. We encourage you to observe these expected responses of the body during hands-on treatment.
We will guide you through this experience. We invite you to feel these “fascial talk” so you can “tune in” or bring awareness into your body.
How often will I need treatment sessions?
We will teach you how to start your own MFR home practice so you can continue to empower yourself with tools and knowledge to heal yourself.
We will guide you through this experience. We invite you to feel these “fascial talk” so you can “tune in” or bring awareness into your body.
What if I need to cancel my session?
*We reserve the right to discontinue your therapy sessions on grounds of dishonoring the time given to you by “no show / no call” attitude, lewd act or language and improper exposure of self.*
Myofascial Release (MFR), Therapeutic Yoga and patient education are powerful tools to help alleviate your pain, restore fluidity and function, enabling you to return to healthy active living.
Phone
(901) 336-4902
Home Clinic
2075 N. Germantown Parkway
Cordova, TN 38016
Email Address
Grace@MemphisMFRyoga.com