The myofascial release therapy team
Our MFR Therapists
The Natural Therapy Centre offers a team of therapists that bring their own expertise and background as well as comprehensive training in MFR to meet the needs of all its patients. Whilst most patients prefer to work with the same therapist we actively encourage them to work with different members of the MFR team as this proactively enhances treatment.
Ruth DuncanRuth is an advanced massage, sports and remedial therapist. She has done most of her training in the USA and graduated from the Humanities School of Massage in Florida, now known as The Cortiva Institute. She has attended many soft tissue courses and has completed the John F. Barnes MFR seminars in the USA. Ruth is also a clinical hypnotherapist, Reiki practitioner and on-site seated chair massage practitioner.
Ruth teaches MFR to healthcare providers including physiotherapists, sports and massage therapists in the UK as well as assisting on the John F. Barnes MFR seminars in the USA. She has had the opportunity to work alongside John and his therapists in both his Pennsylvania and Arizona treatment centres as well as attending intensive treatment sessions with John in order to continue her own professional and personal journey.
Ruth regularly writes articles for national bodywork magazines and has presented MFR introductory workshops for bodywork professionals at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Expo and the Therapy Training Show at Excel in London.
Jane qualified originally in remedial and sports massage in 2000. Realising that traditional soft tissue techniques could provide only part of the answer to many of her clients’ problems, she began exploring the role of fascia in causing and perpetuating pain and discomfort in the body.
After training in Integrated Myofascial Therapy with Ruth Duncan and Mary Cunningham in Glasgow, she enrolled on the programme of seminars taught by John F. Barnes, the originator of modern MFR, in the USA, completing a clinical internship at the Barnes MFR treatment facility in Paoli, Pennsylvania, in May 2006. Jane completed her MFR training programme with John F. Barnes in the USA in October 2009.
Jane is also a body control pilates teacher and has a particular interest in movement therapy as a complement to MFR. Pilates provides a means of helping clients to reinforce the benefits of treatment through enhanced movement ability and better postural awareness.
Jane also assists on the MFRUK workshops.
Karen is an advanced sports and remedial therapist and has trained with The Scottish Massage Therapy Organisation.
She has a keen interest in soft tissue dysfunction and began her MFR journey by completing her training in Integrated Myofascial Therapy with MFRUK. Karen has also attended USA MFR seminars with John F. Barnes and has completed her internship in his Arizona treatment centre.
Karen's main focus is with the body/mind connection and the role of the unconscious mind in physical tension and pain, both literal and symbolic. Karen also uses a variety of complementary therapies that tap into this connection allowing her to add those skills to her treatments. She is also actively involved in therapies to enhance her own awareness, including breathwork, energy work and shamnic healing.
Karen completed her MFR training programme with John F. Barnes in the USA in October 2009.
Karen also provides MFR at The Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre, Henderson Row, Edinburgh; as well as assisting on the MFRUK workshops.
Click here for The Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre website.
Hilary has attended many complementary health courses and specialised in gestalt therapy, a psychotherapeutic approach to health. Hilary is a massage therapist and like the rest of the team has also attended MFR seminars in the USA with John F. Barnes. Hilary assists with Ruth on the iMFT workshops in the UK.
Hilary has a wealth of experience in senior management, team building and marketing, and handles public relations, marketing and organisation for both The Natural Therapy Centre and MFRUK.
Other therapists
From time to time we have student therapists attending a student clinic to enhance their skills. These students will be undertaking MFR training with MFRUK and will be working with other lead therapists treating patients in a multi-treatment session. This is a wonderful experience for both patients and therapists as having 2-3 pairs of hands treating you with MFR enhances your treatment and understanding of dysfunction. Patients are contacted to gain permission for students to work with them.
The Natural Therapy Centre and MFRUK also has other therapists who are John F. Barnes trained that fill in for our lead therapists to cover for holidays and sick time. All patients will be contacted in advance if their therapist changes in these circumstances.