I have old neck injuries that come back to haunt me from time to time. Waking up morning after morning with an intense headache is a prompt that its time to visit my chiropractor to get my C2, 3 & 4 vertabrae back in alignment. This often proves useful and the headaches subside, but if my adjustments dont hold and the headaches return, I know muscle work is needed to reduce the tightness that pulls my cervical vertebrae out of alignment. A great massage will do wonders, but sometimes deeper work is needed to address the tightness and movement restrictions of the facsia. Ive experience tremendous success with myofascial release to cure my chronic headaches. My chiropractor noticed a marked difference in how much easier it was to adjust my neck following the myofascial therapy sessions, plus the vertebrae maintained alignment for over six months, instead of just a few weeks. But over the course of the 2 years since the initial treatment, my neck tightness started to creep back in. Recently when the sharp localized headaches reappeared I knew it was time for a tune-up. So this month I returned for a few MFR sessions and once again am amazed with the results.
What is Myofascial Release: Myofascial release is an advanced bodywork technique that can relieve chronic pain and restrictions in movement. This hands-on therapy can improve range of motion, restore comfortable movement and improve posture. The technique is also effective in addressing the secondary effects of movement restrictions such as chronic headaches, poor flexibility or plantar fascitis to name a few.
Fascia is the underlying connective tissue that covers every body part including organs, bones, nerves & muscles. Its an elastic web, interwoven like threads of fabric that supports and ties your body together. The fascial system is totally one structure that is present from your head to foot without any interruption. Through injury, surgery, overuse, chronic inflammation or even poor posture the facsia can become inflexible and restrict normal movements by preventing the muscles from fully lengthening. The tight inflexible fascia can pull on muscles and other structures, causing stiffness, pain, impaired circulation, muscle tension and reduced mobility.
Two Types of MRF: The ultimate goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction, restore its tissue health and to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion. But there are two schools on how the fascia is best manipulated, directly or indirectly.
Direct Approach: Dr. Ida Rolf developed structural integration in the 1950s, a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education. The direct method seeks change by applying force with knuckles, elbows or tools, stretching, elongating fascia and mobilizing adhesive tissues.
Indirect Approach: Originated in the late 1800s from a concept by Andrew Taylor Still, founder of Osteopathic Medicine, then later popularized by John F Barnes PT, the indirect method is a light pressure stretch. By applying gentle traction, in a slow sustained stretch with light pressure the fascia is allowed to unwind itself. The key being sustained pressure over time.
An MFR session: A practitioner skilled in myofacsial release techniques will address the symptom by assessing postural deviations, holding patterns, movement restrictions and areas of pain. But since restricted facsia in one area can cause discomfort in seemingly unrelated areas a practitioner will address the whole body or body segment rather than one isolated area, thus MFRs remarkable effectiveness.
Releasing fascia requires a skilled, sensitive and slow approach which may at first appear so gentle that is seems nothing is happening. But the work begins with the outer most layers of tissue and gradually goes deeper as the outer layers release and become more pliable. Long, smooth strokes and extended stretches are applied as well as gentle sustained pressure until the practitioner feels a release. Some of the deeper work may involve releasing trigger points which definitely does not feel gentle, but is painfully essential! I was blessed to find an experienced skill practitioner that combined both the direct and indirect techniques of myofascial release.
Where to find a practitioner: When searching for a bodywork therapist trained in myofascial release start by inquiring with massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, osteopathic MDs or chiropractors. Myofascial release can also be known as MF Trigger Point Therapy, Manual Therapy, Soft tissue mobilization, Structural Integration and even Rolfing. When you find a practitioner ask about their specific training, experience and expertise. Therapists trained under John F Barnes PT in the indirect method can be found at http://mfr.somapt.com/default.asp
For a general directory of practitioners go to:
http://www.byregion.net/CategoryPages/HealerPages/Myofascial%20Release
What is Myofascial Release: Myofascial release is an advanced bodywork technique that can relieve chronic pain and restrictions in movement. This hands-on therapy can improve range of motion, restore comfortable movement and improve posture. The technique is also effective in addressing the secondary effects of movement restrictions such as chronic headaches, poor flexibility or plantar fascitis to name a few.
Fascia is the underlying connective tissue that covers every body part including organs, bones, nerves & muscles. Its an elastic web, interwoven like threads of fabric that supports and ties your body together. The fascial system is totally one structure that is present from your head to foot without any interruption. Through injury, surgery, overuse, chronic inflammation or even poor posture the facsia can become inflexible and restrict normal movements by preventing the muscles from fully lengthening. The tight inflexible fascia can pull on muscles and other structures, causing stiffness, pain, impaired circulation, muscle tension and reduced mobility.
Two Types of MRF: The ultimate goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction, restore its tissue health and to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion. But there are two schools on how the fascia is best manipulated, directly or indirectly.
Direct Approach: Dr. Ida Rolf developed structural integration in the 1950s, a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education. The direct method seeks change by applying force with knuckles, elbows or tools, stretching, elongating fascia and mobilizing adhesive tissues.
Indirect Approach: Originated in the late 1800s from a concept by Andrew Taylor Still, founder of Osteopathic Medicine, then later popularized by John F Barnes PT, the indirect method is a light pressure stretch. By applying gentle traction, in a slow sustained stretch with light pressure the fascia is allowed to unwind itself. The key being sustained pressure over time.
An MFR session: A practitioner skilled in myofacsial release techniques will address the symptom by assessing postural deviations, holding patterns, movement restrictions and areas of pain. But since restricted facsia in one area can cause discomfort in seemingly unrelated areas a practitioner will address the whole body or body segment rather than one isolated area, thus MFRs remarkable effectiveness.
Releasing fascia requires a skilled, sensitive and slow approach which may at first appear so gentle that is seems nothing is happening. But the work begins with the outer most layers of tissue and gradually goes deeper as the outer layers release and become more pliable. Long, smooth strokes and extended stretches are applied as well as gentle sustained pressure until the practitioner feels a release. Some of the deeper work may involve releasing trigger points which definitely does not feel gentle, but is painfully essential! I was blessed to find an experienced skill practitioner that combined both the direct and indirect techniques of myofascial release.
Where to find a practitioner: When searching for a bodywork therapist trained in myofascial release start by inquiring with massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, osteopathic MDs or chiropractors. Myofascial release can also be known as MF Trigger Point Therapy, Manual Therapy, Soft tissue mobilization, Structural Integration and even Rolfing. When you find a practitioner ask about their specific training, experience and expertise. Therapists trained under John F Barnes PT in the indirect method can be found at http://mfr.somapt.com/default.asp
For a general directory of practitioners go to:
http://www.byregion.net/CategoryPages/HealerPages/Myofascial%20Release