Myofascial Releaserefers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and equilibrioception (sense of balance).
MFR is not traditional massage. It is sustained pressure or compression, directly on the skin, in various directions for 4 minutes or longer. While there should be no pain involved, it may be uncomfortable at times. You always have control and may tell your therapist to stop the technique at anytime. Please feel free to read more about the John F Barnes MFR technique here.
The concept is fairly simple. The body is made up of cells. Each cell is covered with connective tissue called fascia. Each cell, fiber, muscle, organ, etc. is all covered with this fascia and it is all connected to each other. If you have restricted tissue in your low back, it can easily pull on the fascia and affect areas far away from the low back; like your foot.
Imagine a pull in a sweater. At first it only affects the area in which was pulled. But over time if not mended, the pull gets longer. Eventually the entire sweater can be unraveled. While our body can’t actually be unraveled like a sweater, it’s a pretty good analogy of what the fascial system in our bodies can do.
Men must wear a pair of gym shorts and women may wear gym shorts and a sports bra or a two piece bathing suit. It is imperative that your therapist be able to see the body’s reactions throughout the session. Please do not apply creams or make up before your session as this may prevent a proper assessment of the tissue being worked on. A standing evaluation will be done in the beginning and end of each session. Pictures may be taken before and after to show the differences in body mechanics.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a form of MFR. It focuses on the cranial sutures as well as the cranial connection to the sacrum. Very subtle movements occur in the cranial bones and throughout the cranium. The brain and spinal cord make up the Central Nervous System. Cerebral Spinal Fluid coats this system and CST allows this fluid to move with more fluency.
CST is non-invasive, gentle and rarely contraindicated. CST (as all MFR work) is not massage. Deep relaxation occurs and the body is more able to heal itself of dis-ease or dys-function.
MFR & CST can assist with many ailments. Listed below are a few of many.
Fibromyalgia Shin Splints Scoliosis Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
Myofascial restriction causes dysfunction to the body. Whether the result is pain, headache, nausea, irritable bowel, the concept is that the fascia needs to be released in all these areas. The impingement of nerves via the fascial system can lead to pinched nerve's (causing pain, numbness or lack of mobility). The fascial restriction around the bowels can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation or gas. MFR decreases compression and tightness in the area of the low back and spine that can cause sciatica.
Results can be felt in as little as one session. Chronic and severe conditions will require a more intense approach and may require 2 or more sessions per week for several weeks. Just as chronic conditions didn't happen over night, freeing your body of severe restrictions takes some time and effort. But aren't you worth it?