what myofascial release can help

Myofascial release can also:

• increase energy
• increase breathing capacity
• restore muscular function and postural alignment
• relieve physical and emotional strain
• increase awareness of holding and bracing patterns
• promote relaxation
• balance the body, mind and soul
• promote self-healing

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For the sportsperson, athlete and performer.

At The Natural Therapy Centre we have built up a reputation for being able to assist with a myriad of injuries, stresses and strains that the professional and amateur sports person or athlete may have. Soft tissue and fascial work is vitally important not solely for rehabilitation of an injury but to also maintain flexibility, power and strength as a prophylactic against injury.  Along with remedial treatments we can provide a strengthening, stretch and stability program that can be incorporated into a regular warm up, cool down and training session.

In addition to the above injuries and conditions MFR can also help:

• ankle instability and Achilles tendonitis
• hammer toe, Morton's foot and neuroma
• shin splints and calf strain
• cruciate and collateral ligament trauma
• patellofemoral syndrome, runners knee and iliotibial band syndrome
• meniscus injury
• ostitis pubis
• groin and hamstring trauma and Gilmore's groin
• gluteal and piriformis strain
• rotator cuff injuries
• bursitis
• ankylosing spondylitis
• patella tendon inflamation or rupture
• osgood schlatters disease
• myositis ossificans
• frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis
• tendonitis, tendonopathy and tendon strain
• tennis and golfers elbow
• carpal tunnel
• impingement syndromes
• de Quervains syndrome
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• repetative strain injuries (RSI)
• and many others.

MFR is also very effective for musicians, dancers, speakers, performers, artists and others who have to maintain either, or both, a high degree of movement or strain pattern to perform a task. These people demand equally as much from their body's as any sports person or athlete. The repetitive movements and or holding positions involved for these people create tension, strain and bracing patterns that without effective treatment will cause injury and ultimately affect their ability to perform. Like the sports person and athlete, MFR can help resolve these injuries and allow longevity in their hobby or career.

Chronic myofascial pain syndrome and trigger point pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a painful musculoskeletal condition that is characterised by the development of Myofascial trigger points.   

Fibromyalgia and MPS are common diagnoses of unresolved pain and discomfort. Research and treatment of these painful conditions heighten the need for appropriate training and treatment of the myofascial system.

Many chronic pain conditions are caused by Myofascial trigger points.     

A trigger point is a hyper irritable spot located in a taught band of skeletal muscle. When the muscle is in a state of traumatic dysfunction (poor posture, injury or inflammation) the hyper irritable trigger point will produce a local pain and also pain in a referred pattern. These patterns have been extensively researched and mapped by Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons, authors of Myofascial Pain and Discomfort, The Trigger Point Manual. Patients may have regional, persistent pain resulting in a decreased range of motion in the affected muscles. Palpation of the trigger point will elicit pain directly over the affected area and/or cause radiation of pain toward a zone of reference sometimes creating a local muscular twitch response. Trigger points are also common causes of headaches, jaw pain, sciatica, sinusitis and low back pain.                                 

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Trigger points and MFR

Trigger point therapy is an approach used to find the hyper irritable spots that are creating the referred pain pattern and deactivate them by use of dry needling, vapo-coolant (stretch and spray) and the more common approach of ischaemic compression applied by the therapist’s fingers. Whilst trigger point therapy is an effective treatment approach for the musculoskeletal pain caused by the trigger point it only treats the symptomatic trigger point and its refereed pain pattern, hence treating only the symptom but not the cause. Trigger point therapy can be very painful to receive and may only produce limited results as the reason for the trigger point formation is not being addressed. For those therapists using digit ischaemic compression, application of this treatment can also be debilitating.

A trigger point is a symptom of a fascial restriction and functional and structural imbalance that occurs when a muscle becomes dysfunctional. Trigger points can be irritated by inappropriate compression thus, for some patients, making trigger point therapy an ineffective and unnecessarily painful treatment. Unless the reason for the trigger point formation is addressed then the trigger point will manifest once again causing further distress, pain and discomfort. Myofascial release is a safe, and effective treatment that not only deactivates the trigger point but also releases the fascial restrictions throughout the body that harbour them.

Articles on chronic myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and MFR

My doctor says I have chronic myofascial pain syndrome, can you help me? part 1

My doctor says I have chronic myofascial pain syndrome, can you help me? part 2

Post surgery and injury scarring including mastectomy and breast reconstructon scarring.

Many people suffer after an injury or surgery from the pulling of adhesions or scarring. Sometimes the pain from the adhesions are as painful and uncomfortable as the pre surgery condition with many women suffering in silence from mastectomy, breast reconstructon and implant surgery. Woman who have survved cancer can be left with the physical and emotional scars that can hinder normal daily activity and mobility.

Scars are thicker and more dense than normal tissue and are not just superficial but lie deep within each layer of tissue that was cut in order to perform the surgery. Scars lack circulation and hydration and can create an overwhelming pull as the scar tissue creeps incidiously throughout the lines of pull. Many breast cancer patients develop lymphedema, fatigue, chest complaints, shallow breathing, lack of  movement in their arms, head and neck and a feeling of drag, weight and pull around their back and neck.

MFR is an excelent way of decreasing scar tissue pulls and tightness as well as decreasing lymphedema and restoring movement and fuction with many women benifiting on their first session. At the clinic we show women how to do self treatment of their scar and breast area in order to regain movement and strength. 

 Testimonials

Client who came for a 15 hour intensive from London

I have suffered from TMJ problems and chronic myofascial pain in my neck, shoulders and face since I was sitting my "A" levels 20 years ago. Over the years I have tried every type of prescription and non-prescription painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug, as well as anti-depressants. I've been to see numerous dentists and a maxillofacial surgeon and had thousands of pounds worth of dental treatment to try and correct the problem.

I have been to see physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, a Chinese herbalist, a homeopath and a kinesiologist. I have tried using a TENS machine. I've tried pilates, yoga and meditation but none of these have provided lasting relief. Then a couple of months ago I read a book on trigger points and MFR therapy and thought I would give it a try. I found Ruth's website on the Internet and arranged a 5 day intensive course of treatment at the Natural Therapy Centre in Milngavie. 

Ruth is an excellent therapist and for the first time I feel I have found a treatment that can unravel the chronic tension in my muscles that causes me so much pain. It is quite a journey from Oxfordshire to Glasgow, but I'll be travelling up again as soon as I can get another week off work. I just wish that I had discovered MFR 20 years ago."

A grateful client who has had a few 10 and 3 hour intensives from Glasgow

For as long as I can remember my body has felt heavy and painful. As a child I assumed this was how bodies were- watching people dance and play sports filled me with puzzlement – how did they manage to get their bodies to move so freely? I was in my 20s before realising that not everyone felt the way I felt. Over the years I made many attempts to “get fit” but always met with failure as my body just seized up and became even more painful.

Now, at the age of 61, I have discovered Myofascial release and for the first time no longer feel barred from physical activity nor condemned to drag my body about to the end of my days. After only 10 hours treatment I felt huge relief not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. I was delighted but assumed this improvement would be short lived – not a bit of it. The release and relief I felt has been sustained and, with further treatment has been improved upon – and my long held dream of being a fit and active person is well within my grasp.

A recovered chronic pelvic pain syndrome patient who has had regular MFR treatment

I developed pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis early in 2006.  I couldn’t sit down, when I did it seemed to over stretch my pelvic muscles, which were incredibly tight and seemed to be in a fixed clench. The muscles felt literally stuck together in an impossibly tight grip. Another incredibly painful symptom was the periodic swelling of my prostate. I was off work and in a terrible state for two months whilst ineffective treatment under the NHS let me down. I visited several doctors and a urologist. The doctors and urologist seemed powerless to help me.

I found a web site for a Myofascial Release Practitioner (MFR) in Glasgow, Ruth Duncan. I decided to give this a go. Ruth practised a form of MFR, which involved the application of light pressure to muscles and soft tissue externally. I attended regular hour and a half sessions with Ruth and after several treatments over three months consider myself virtually 100% cured. The pain and discomfort are totally gone, the only symptom I have now is a small amount of spasm in my pelvis, which is not noticeable most of the time and can be partially released by focussed stretching. I think this last symptom will diminish over time.  

The first two MFR sessions did not seem to have any or little effect on my pelvis, I considered giving up, but stuck with the treatment. The third session was a turning point. Ruth began to concentrate on some muscles in my rear, which run into the pelvic floor. As soon as pressure was applied here I felt a painful sensation of muscle tissue, which was stuck together, ripping apart. This was a bit like pulling a sticky plaster away from your skin after it has been stuck there a few days. Although this was painful, it was a different pain to the pelvic pain I suffered routinely and was also strangely pleasurable. Probably because of the relief felt by stretching the muscle back into a more relaxed position. The most tangible change after the therapy was a lovely warm sensation in the pelvis, which lasted for a day afterwards. The muscle then felt it had been partially stretched back to a more normal position. I think the sensation of warmth I experienced in my pelvic muscles after MFR must have been the sensation of blood circulating into an area of muscle were it was previously restricted.

Each time I returned, Ruth finished the session working on these muscles, often using a blunt ceramic tool to apply pressure. After each session, to a varying degree, I felt these muscles had been stretched a further step back to their normal resting position.MFR was the single most important factor in my recovery from Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

Without it I think I may have not recovered, or not recovered so quickly. It would have certainly had a more damaging effect on my career and life. I am very grateful to Ruth, who has played a large part in curing me of this devastating condition.

A fantastic book to help patient's understand the MFR approach used at The Natural Therapy Centre

 

The two books : A Patient's Guide to Understanding John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release and A Therapist's Guide to Understanding John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release are great resources that provide easy to understand answers to the most frequently asked questions about John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release.

 

These books help both patients and therapists obtain a better understanding of the Myofascial Release process. The Therapist book has great reminders that will enable therapists to continue to improve their skills.

 

The Patient's book will enable patient's to understand the MFR process quicker. This in turn helps the patient see quicker results. Many therapists purchase the Patient's version to give to or sell to their patients. The therapists have found that their patients are able to understand Myofascial release much quicker when they have read the book.

 

Both books cover the basic questions, but they have a different tone- one geared toward a patient and the other geared toward a therapist. The therapist's book also has extra chapters that focus on issues like improving skills and dialoging.

 

Some of the chapters include:

What is JFB-MFR?
How is JFB-MFR different from other forms of therapy?
What if the symptoms get worse?
How do I help patient's feel “under the pain”? (How do I feel under the pain)
Can the patient's treat themselves (Can I treat myself?)

There are 27 chapters in the Therapist's guide and 23 chapters in the Patient's guide.

 

About the Author

 

Cathy Covell, PT

Cathy's educational background is as a Physical Therapist and a Massage Therapist. She have spent years specialising in John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release Therapy. She has attended all of John's Seminars and also instructs at the seminars and teaches an Equine Myofascial Release seminar. 

Buy this book for £12.50 including shipping to the UK, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland.

Buy A Therapist's Guide to Understanding John F. Barnes Myofascial Release from our training website by clicking here

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