Article: The John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach

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The John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach

by James Crader, Energetic Care Instructor

I remember sitting in anatomy class learning about fascial tissue: it's just packing material, connective tissue that holds the muscles and bones, tendons and ligaments together. Its job was just to hold stuff. Last year I was working with a patient who had been to see numerous doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, and massage therapists to help with a whole body dysfunction she was experiencing. No one could figure out what was going on with her. I remember seeing her one afternoon and her left shoulder was hiked up so high it may as well have been an earring. I walked over, placed my hand on her and held the pressure. She was stunned; the pressure on her shoulder directly related to the mysterious abdominal pain she had been feeling for months.

According to the JFB-Myofascial Release Approach (JFB-MFR), fascial tissue is not simply packing material, but a governing structure of the body. Even in the antiquated view of fascia it makes sense. If something's job is to hold something in place, and then it itself is disrupted (by trauma, stress, repetitive wear and tear), then everything it is connected to must also be disrupted. MFR therapists don't just view fascia as connective tissue though. The fluidity of the tissue is like nothing else within human anatomy. Fascia is capable of expanding and contracting, moving laterally and diagonally. Its very nature is that of both a solid and liquid. It's even been suggested that molecular memory (body consciousness) is stored with the fascia. Disruptions to the fascia can cause a 2,000lbs per square inch of pressure to connected tissue. For example, if there is a disruption in the shoulder, then that disruption may cause serious symptomatic pain in the abdominal region, or hips, or hands, or chest, or often in several areas (rheumatoid arthritis?).

JFB-Myofascial Release Therapy is a distinct form of manual therapy. Often modalities affect the fascial tissue with use of trigger points, effleurage (long fluid strokes), or percussive techniques, but none approach fascial release the way JFB-MFR does. MFR therapists use gentle sustained holds, prolonged trigger points, and raking techniques to manually release the fascial restrictions. It is through these sustained techniques that the tissue is affected at depths in which lasting change can take place. MFR therapists are also trained in the art of unwinding and rebounding. These two techniques help the body to release physical, emotional, and psychological holding patterns that many other therapies don't often address. The motto of all JFB-MFR therapists is, "Find the symptom. Look elsewhere for the cause." Often clients will come in for neck pain, and half the session is spent re-aligning the pelvis. Many TMJ sufferers are truly suffering from twisted sacrums, and headaches can be from that fall you took four years ago.

Myofascial Release Therapy is an amazing practice that has helped to change the lives of many. I have personally seen some of the most remarkable physical and emotional changes in my patients from this therapy. For more information on the therapy, its origins, and truly inspiring success stories, check out the official MFR website at www.MyofascialRelease.com. To experience the therapy first-hand visit James at Energetic Care.

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