Myofascial Release

24 responses so far ↓

•   Ami Kalisek LMT // Jun 4th 2010 at 5:36 am

  John,

  Thank you for publishing that case history. Peggy’s story is courageous and should give hope to many people who are trying to have control over their health. There are so many scare tactics used to get women to do what the medical community wants them to do, that a story of a woman taking charge of herself is empowering.
  Not that all the medical testing is bad, I don’t mean to say that. But we really need to make our decisions from a place of power. Thank you again.

  Have you heard of similar success stories with ovarian cysts? I can understand how much easier it is to treat a breast cyst, after all we can ‘get to them’ as it were. Ovarian cysts are so much more difficult.

  Ami

•   Joyce Patterson, PT // Jun 4th 2010 at 7:34 am

  It amazes and saddens me how resistant traditional medicine is to “alternative” treatments. And how little awareness there is of better options than medicines and surgery. I think it’s so important for us all to share our knowlege of MFR and stories, such as Peggy’s, so that this treatment can become mainstrean and widely accepted. The days of medication and surgery being the first choice of treatment needs to come to an end!

•   Mary Bart, WCMT // Jun 4th 2010 at 11:28 am

  I have taken 4 different versions of what was called myofascial release. When I took my first seminars with John F Barnes I felt like everything came together, like I was “home” as a therapist. And so, I have continued to learn and receive this approach to Myofascial Release Therapy, since those first JFB MFR seminars in 1999. It is the Rolls Royce of all the forms of body/mind/spirit therapies I have experienced since beginning therapist training in 1989.

  I consider my receiving Myofascial Release vital in my continuing transformation of consciousness.

  Mary D Bart, WCMT
  Myofascial Integrity
  Willard, WI

•   Jill Rehrig, PTA/MT // Jun 4th 2010 at 11:31 am

  Dear John,

  Thank you for sharing your knowlege with us.
  Do you have any experience with using myofascial release regarding the treatment of “lymphoma”? Can you explain how the immune system is supported with this style of connective tissue work?

  Jill RehrigPTA/MT
  http://rehrigmedicalmassage.com
  0

•   Tara Carrington // Jun 4th 2010 at 11:33 am

  Dear John,
  Thank you for specifically mentioning how MFR can be powerfully effective for women’s health issues. I used to have debilitating pelvic pain, so severe that even narcotics didn’t touch it. I had lived with it for years and eventually tried surgery out of desperation, which actually led to the pain getting even worse. I had endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine hyperplasia, infertility…doctors finally became frustrated and told me I had run out of options for treating the pain.
  Luckily, I landed in a clinic of therapists who had taken many of your courses and were using MFR to treat women having these types of issues. I had 3 treatments a day for 5 days in a row, and was astounded and overjoyed to walk away from that week without any pain. I have continued to successfully treat occasional flares with MFR and no longer need medication.
  So often women with pelvic pain are told they need surgery to explore for the cause, to laser endometriosis or adhesions, or to perform a hysterectomy. These are solutions that tend to compound their problems by creating even more fascial restrictions. MFR is such an effective way to treat these issues, and it does not cause harm. It is also an experience of tremendous compassion and empowerment for the patient.
  At times it seems that the principles of MFR are almost too simple for people to believe. But the intensity of pain doesn’t necessarily mean there needs to be an equal intensity of complicated, risky treatment. So often, it is just about simply removing fascial restrictions that are crushing or pulling delicate structures and causing pain. MFR does this safely and effectively without the risks that are inherent with medication and surgery.
  I thank you for your tireless work and advocacy to bring MFR to the forefront in healthcare. I am one of many who have greatly benefitted both personally and professionally from your wisdom and dedication.
  Gratefully,
  Tara Carrington

•   Renie Allen, LMT // Jun 4th 2010 at 11:36 am

  Hi John,

  Thank you for bringing attention to the very important topic of Women’s Health into the view of Massage Therapists.

  As an JFB MFR therapist with a Massage Therapy background, I am finding our industry is ‘behind the times’ when in comes to what is in our scope of practice. I understand the laws vary so much from state to state, but it seems like as a whole, we are limited when it comes to the particular issue of Women’s Health.

  Having learned and received MFR for women’s health issues, I can speak first hand of its incredible benefits throughout the ENTIRE body. And I understand your teachings do give us Massage Therapists many great techniques that ARE in our scope of practice. Having said that, however, how do you see the future of Massage Therapy expanding its limited scope to allow those with the proper training to share this much needed, highly effective, non invasive type of therapy to the masses that could benefit from it?

  With all due respect to the Massage Therapy industry, I feel as if we are working within outdated parameters that deserve to be expanded to allow for healing at its fullest potential.

  Respectfully,
  Renie Allen LMT

•   John Barnes // Jun 4th 2010 at 1:52 pm

  Hi Jill,

  The power and effectiveness of our immune system is diminished by Myofascial restrictions that are the result of trauma, thwarted inflammation responses, and surgery. When we have fascial restrictions we are fighting ourselves. This internal struggle exhausts us and weakens our immune system’s ability to protect us.

  If you go to the Massage Magazine website you can view my Therapeutic Insight articles. To access my articles, go to http://www.massagemag.com and click on the “techniques” tab on the left side of the page and click on my latest article. You can also click on the following link: (http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9186) for my latest article titled, “Breast Health.”

  My articles will go into great detail about how Myofascial Release is so important in relieving pain, enhancing physiological function and strengthening our immune system.

  Thanks,

  John Barnes, PT, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B

•   John Barnes // Jun 4th 2010 at 1:55 pm

  Hi Ami,

  Yes we have successfully helped many women with breast and ovarian cysts. The following are a few excerpts posted yesterday on our Myofascial Release chat line (www.myofascialrelease.com) that may be of interest to you.

  “The very first time I got treated with MFR I could literally feel the cyst slightly, (but not unsafely) burst and leak. It felt like a sun burn on the inside of my tummy as the acidic cyst fluid leaked out and I had a discharge to go with it. So I would treat like this every few days I got a MFR treatment from Jen and was able to feel and visualize my weakened, puss filled ovary leaking it out and healing itself, and it felt good, and right.”

  “I checked with another ultrasound within a week after my first treatments with self MFR and it showed it was already going down, every so slightly, so I knew early on I was on the right path. Well today, I had my 5 week follow up ultrasound…and guess what? NO Cyst…at all! It is GONE! Completely! Thank God for this work! ”

  Myofascial Release is safe, efficient and effective. There is hope.

  Sincerely,
  John Barnes, PT, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.

•   Linda Aileen Miller // Jun 6th 2010 at 2:37 pm

  Hi John! As a 13 yr veteran LMT, and a dedicated JFB MFR Therapist for the past 9 yrs I several questions regarding women’s breast health, and may also help others understand fascial restrictions in a deeper way.
  I recently had a client referred to me who had a fairly new breast (second-time around) augmentation. She, by her own words, was ‘doubtful about whether or not to do the surgery from the beginning’ and ‘didn’t really want to’.

  Ultimately following the surgery one breast became very inflamed & she had problems w/ it, though her well-intentioned doctor kept assuring her there was ‘nothing wrong with it’ she ‘knew it was not right’. The breast became infected which she felt was the case all along but ‘no one would listen to her’. She then went thru the challenge of draining, more surgery and attempting to heal the breast…and at this point wasn’t even sure she wanted to keep the implants in place.

  Within a year’s time her whole body has become inflamed. She has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome & Chronic Fatigue. Her whole body appeared compressed & depressed when she first arrived at my door. She was angry & distrustful of all those who came before me on this journey with her body & felt betrayed by the system.
  When we treated her body some days she was very aware of the fascial connections of being touched in one area, and feeling it in her back or breast or throat. Other days she wasn’t. Some days she felt the inflammation subside during treatment, (3x a week) and would leave feeling ‘good’ and without pain. Only to follow-up with huge overall body flare-ups that ultimately discouraged her from continuing with MFR treatment.

  We discussed the Healing Crisis, and that healing is not a linear process and ultimately her depression and frustration took over again. She felt like she couldn’t continue which of course I totally understood & respected.
  Whew! I realize this is an “Aunt Sally” story & while you can’t know how to help this woman without having your hands on her, the threads of her story fit many clients. Based on your experience with fascial restrictions can you address how you feel about the issue of women choosing breast augmentation & do you have knowledge of long term prognosis of having implants? I have heard they should be replaced every ten years? Any thoughts or feelings?
  Part Two & more importantly-Can you please address how belief systems & that inner chatter of not-good-enough, not speaking up for ourselves, not being perfect, etc can also impact our bodies ability to create and hold onto fascial restrictions prohibiting our ability to authentically heal?
  I am so grateful for Peggy’s story being posted here. Having spent time together on our healing journey’s in Sedona it is truly a privilege to see this courageous woman’s strength acknowledged. Having the courage to stand up for what we believe is not easy! Congratulations to Peggy for her cancer free reports! Blessings to you, John, for walking through the fires to bring Myofascial Release into the light!!

•   Craig Cohen // Jun 7th 2010 at 12:53 pm

  John:
  Thank you very much for bring women’s heath to the forefront of the health community. We live in a society where we have been taught to shun and hide our bodies and not appreciate the gift that it truly is. Many women and men are afraid to feel (from the inside out) that their bodies are aching for treatment and therapeutic touch. You have always taught that even mild treatment can improve the immune system and dissipate inflammation by lessening and eliminating restrictions throughout our whole body.
  In our practice in south Florida we see many patients after their surgeries, be it cosmetic or orthopedic. The gentle release of the scar tissue allows for increased range and lessened time of recovery. The release allows for a faster elimination of swelling, a return to health and function with less pain and less trauma both physically and mentally. Thank you again John.

  Craig Cohen MPT, ATC
  Integrated Physical Therapy
  305 967-8976
  http://www.IPTmiami.com

•   Barbara Long, PTA/MT // Jun 8th 2010 at 1:00 pm

  Hi John,
  Thank you for publishing Peggy’s courageous story! Recently, I have had the honor of treating several breast cancer survivors in my home practice. I am so grateful to have JFB Myofascial Release as my therapuetic tool to help these wonderful women on their healing journies.

  Thank you , John!

•   Lisa Ganfield // Jun 8th 2010 at 9:34 pm

  Hi John,
  Thanks for having Peggy’s story available for us to read and pass on. I too had a diagnosis last year of atypical ductal Hyperplasia. After receiving MFR, they could not find any “atypical” cells.
  Your treatment is truly the Ultimate Mind-Body technique, and we love you for being the renegade that you are.
  In Love, Lisa

•   Ami Kalisek LMT // Jun 9th 2010 at 6:25 am

  John,
  Thank you for linking the posts on ovarian cysts. I recently have been dealing with pelvic pain that I believe was a cyst, although diagnostic testing showed nothing. Getting MFR treatments, and self treating helped me not only deal with the pain, but helped me with the fear of that kind of pain. I almost think dealing with the fear with a caring therapist skilled in MFR was the most helpful. I believe that early intervention (early when I began to feel the pain) along with regular treatments. (I also recently completed the Women’s Health course) is why the diagnostic testing found nothing to support my pain. I am continuing to work with my therapist to open the area to make this my last episode.
  Thanks again for your personal answer, and for this work that is helping me so much, not just personally, but as a therapist.

•   Abigail Buktenica LMT // Jun 9th 2010 at 9:36 am

  John,
  After taking your Women’s Health Seminar last winter, I have wondered if the consistent MFR treatment I have received has helped me go through menopause with basically no problems at all. If it has such a profound impact on cysts and other female problems, does it stand to reason that with an open healthy system, menopause is perhaps not such a difficult transition, or am I just lucky?

  Abigail

•   John Barnes // Jun 9th 2010 at 3:53 pm

  Dear Linda,

  It’s nice to hear from you. It’s hard to say whether a woman should have her implants removed in a set amount of time, because there are so many different types of implants and surgical procedures. However, my very strong impression from years of helping women with problems with their implants and fibrocystic breasts, etc. is that Myofascial Release reduces pain and allows the woman’s breast to look and feel more natural. Myofascial Release techniques also open up all the venous and lymphatic channels to enhance flow which improves the health of a woman’s breast.

  As you know in the Women’s Health Seminar, we teach a lot of external techniques to help both the pelvic and the breast areas. What we have found and I believe that you have also experienced, is that the breast areas can have significant holding patterns. A person can hold emotions anywhere in the fascial system, but it particularly seems to be true in the breast areas. The release of these trapped emotions is extremely therapeutic, freeing, and healthy for the woman.

  Linda Miller is a massage therapist utilizing Myofascial Release almost exclusively and she has just written and excellent book with beautiful artwork titled, “Who is that Woman? To find out more about Linda’s book go to http://www.whoisthatwoman.net or contact Linda at whoisthatwoman@gmail.com.

  Thanks for your questions,

  John

•   John Barnes // Jun 9th 2010 at 4:01 pm

  Dear Joyce,

  I agree that the resistance to new ideas is disturbing, especially when it should be plainly obvious that the status quo is terribly unacceptable. It’s been shown that other forms of therapy only produce results for a maximum of two hours to two days. This is too low of a standard for us to accept.

  There is nothing more limited than a skeptic with a closed mind. Skepticism is very important, but it should always be coupled with an open mind to consider the possibilities of the new.

  For those of you who don’t know Joyce, she is an excellent therapist from Maine with a very busy Myofascial Release practice. She just wrote a book with clear illustrations and instructions for therapists and clients with different ways of treating yourself using Myofascial Release.

  Joyce Patterson’s book titled, “The Myofascial Stretching and Self -Treatment Handbook,“ is a resource for therapists and clients. The book is based on the Myofascial Release stretches and self treatment techniques used at the Myofascial Release Treatment Centers in Paoli, PA and Sedona, AZ.

  Anyone interested in purchasing Joyce’s book or learning more about it can contact her at 207-255-0909 or http://www.downeast-myofascial-release.com.

  Thanks,
  John

•   Joyce Patterson, PT // Jun 11th 2010 at 2:01 pm

  John-

  When you first developed and started teaching JFB-Myofascial Release you encountered a lot of resistance from those who were skeptics and disbelievers. As therapists and patients learn about and pursue new treatment approaches within the traditional medical system, we, too often encounter these attitudes. Based on your experience, what have you found to be the best approach that a patient can use when dealing with these mindsets while pursuing the best care possible for themselves?

  And thank you for mentioning my book. I am excited to be able to offer this to therapists and patients. It is a compilation of all the self treatment stretches and activities a therapist/patient learns when receiving treatment at the MFR treatment centers. It covers stretches for the entire body, how to use tools (foam rollers, 4″ balls, gym balls, Nola rola, Sacrowedgy, Backnobber) to faciliate releases as well as unwinding, jiggling and grounding. The introduction discusses what myofascial release is and how it differs from traditional stretching, so it can even be used by those not receiving treatment from a therapist.

  For anyone looking for more information or wanting to purchase a copy, they can visit my website: http://www.downeast-myofascial-release.com

  Joyce Patterson, PT
  Maine

•   Linda Aileen Miller // Jun 11th 2010 at 10:17 pm

  Dear John, Thanks for your reply regarding implants, & how MFR makes a difference in allowing the breast to feel more natural, and releasing emotional issues!

  I absolutely agree the techniques taught in your Women’s Health Seminars are invaluable for all women, especially the self-treatment ones to avoid things like fibercystic breast issues and definitely significant for women who choose to have implants. Personally & professionally I have seen changes with both.

  As for the emotional issue question, I would like to add that as a recent survivor of two major MVA’s a lot of my emotional trauma was stored in the anterior & posterior thoracic, sternum, ribs & breast area with deep painful bruising & lots of fascial restrictions. I believe they were caused not only by the seat belt from shoulder to hip restraint, but the actual intense vibration of impacts as well. While the seat belt no doubt saved my life, it has also taken nearly four years to release all the emotion my body held layer upon layer throughout those particular regions when I went into those frozen life/death moments of fear!

  I am aware that any part of the body can hold emotion and am curious since you mentioned you seemed to find a lot of emotion held by women in the breast area. What are your feelings regarding that part as to “why”?

  Yes, I know…’why’ is left-brain-Channel 5 thinking, feelings are right brain-Channel 3, and we are talking emotion being held in the fascia which is a Channel 3 question.

  So, my intuitive Channel 3 side tells me it has to do with being so close to the heart and traumas of any type in this area making the body/mind acutely aware of how vulnerable we are perhaps? Just a hunch. Curious to know what are your thoughts/feelings?

  John, I also want to thank you for acknowledging the recent release of my book-”Who Is That Woman?” It has been an exciting adventure allowing me through poems, ponderings & musings to express from my heart & soul, some of my most intimate and intense life experiences. The incredibly brilliant water-color illustrations by Samantha Nagel captured the essence of my words in a magnificent way, and together we have brought my healing journey to life in living color!
  Many pieces of my story, as you know, are based in the principals of Myofascial Release as you so eloquently teachthem, encouraging your students to feel the experiences we encounter in life, the joy and the pain, and embracing them all as an opportunity for growth and healing.

  As I was completing the book I realized the entire project was about taking a huge risk, letting go of the outcome and trusting in a source much greater than I to carry me through it all to a deeper and higher place. Thank you again.

  I would love to share the first poem from it with your readers since I think is relative to your topic this month:

  Following the sheep of modern day
  Woman massacres her own body
  Starving, retching, pounding the steamy hot pavements
  Often falling prey to the surgeon’s scalpel
  Searching for the beauty of someone else’s perception
  Tucking, pulling, pushing her being into a concocted preconceived vision of perfection
  All in the name of love
  Completely disavowing the purity of God’s reality
  Which, of course, was perfect to begin with…
  Long before the silver blade severed her silent sleeping soul!

  Excerpt from Who Is That Woman? by Linda Aileen Miller, LMT, Adv JFM MFR Therapist, Stuart, Fl
  Available @ whoisthatwoman@gmail.net
  and http://www.whoisthatwoman.net if your prefer a signed copy OR
  http://www.lulu.com
  Or if you are fortunate enough to be in Sedona, Az @ Clear Creek Trading Company just a stone’s throw from the Western John F. Barnes’, PT Myofascial Release Treatment Center…
  THERAPY ON THE ROCKS!

  To you John, and therapists everywhere…thank you for all you do to make the world a healthier, happier place! May your days be filled with peace, love and balance!

•   Amy Beyer, LAT, WCMT // Jun 13th 2010 at 5:07 pm

  John-

  Thank you for sharing Peggy’s story. Her story is truly an inspiration to many women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer and I plan to share it with my clients.

  I have had the opportunity to treat many women that have had or are currently receiving treatment for breast cancer. JFB MFR is an amazing treatment for these women and helps them with range of motion issues, pain, tolerating chemo/radiation treatments, etc.. Thank you for your knowledge/expertise.

  I have been treating a lot of women that are suffering with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Can you comment on myofascial release and POP? Also, have you found it beneficial for these women to remove pessaries during treatment?

  Thank you John,
  Amy

•   Sheila Walker // Jun 14th 2010 at 1:09 pm

  My mother died of breast cancer about six years ago. Because of my shifting awareness of the indispensable role of our fascial system, I have never felt ‘a victim’ of any ‘genetic predisposition’ for myself. Keeping myself healthy by preventative treatment of my entire fascial matrix to support vital, healthy cellular functioning, communication, detoxification, hydration…just makes so much sense! It would be nice if more woman had the proper guidance to reap the benefits of ‘an ounce of prevention’ before they have the compounded complications and stress of changing what has already become restricted and dis-eased.

•   Peggy Smith // Jun 21st 2010 at 4:20 pm

  Thank you for sharing my experience of healing from invasive breast cancer. I hope it will bring some peace of mind and hope to those who find themselves in this frightening and chaotic situation.

  Though I didn’t feel very “brave” or “courageous” at the time, what really took courage was working my way through the immense resistance that you and Joyce mention. I was quite surprised and confused by the fearful reaction to my wanting to continue with what was clearly working and making positive change (JFBMFR), especially considering that the experts admit they don’t know what causes breast cancer and the surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments are offered as a “Standard of Care”, not a cure.
  For those who have difficulty believing in our ability to heal “down to the cellular level” with JFBMFR, I recommend reading John’s books and articles, as well as what cancer researchers are (re)discovering about the connection between chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix, and the process of cancer.

  Thank you, John, for having the compassion to keep the space open for authentic healing to occur at a very deep level, regardless of the diagnosis.

  With Gratitude and Love,
  Peggy

•   Jana Jensen // Jun 22nd 2010 at 3:28 pm

  Thank you so much for this article!! MFR is a truly invaluable tool in helping those with breast issues.

  It takes a truly compassionate practitioner to help women deal with such a senstive issue.

  Thank you again,
  Jana

•   Gabrielle Pullen, GCFP, NCMT // Oct 26th 2010 at 5:49 pm

  Subject: thank you for putting it out there about the insanity around cancer research!

  John

  I really appreciate your editorial in Massage Magazine about the dysfunctional system that perpetuates a ‘blunderbuss approach’ to curing cancer – well said! Thank you for drawing attention to the Newsweek Magazine article that states that the divide between research and cure is so vast that, “it is possible (and common) for cancer researchers to achieve extraordinary acclaim and success, measured by grants, awards, professorships and papers in leading journals, without ever helping a single patient gain a single extra day of life.” I hope this gives people pause before jumping on the cancer research bandwagon!

  Additionally, your explanation of the importance of the environment a cell inhabits is common sense, as well as being completely in accord with new theories on healthy aging – the healthier the cell, the healthier it’s capacity for thriving. The numbers you cite are staggering: an estimated decrease of 1 millionfold in the ability of the tissues to conduct information. Regardless, it doesn’t call for years of expertise to imagine how the cell walls close, effectively shutting down the tiny openings that allow for the transfer of nutrients and oxygen essential for normal immune response when the lining of the cell becomes dehydrated by thwarting the inflammatory response. Now that you point it out, it just makes sense that the resultant hardening of the fascia, the lining surrounding each and every cell of the body, would be a huge factor in creating an environment that predisposes the cells to being vulnerable to attack by cancer. The irony is that most conventional approaches intentionally try to slow down or eliminate inflammation, setting the stage for the blockage that creates such a problem for cellular health. In effect, you demonstrate that our attempts to deal with the symptoms alone actually make the cells more vulnerable to the cause: thwarting inflammation is like shutting off the alarm clock to avoid the reality that it’s time to wake up!

  Sincerely,
  Gabrielle Pullen

  –
  Gabrielle Pullen, GCFP, NCMT
  guild certified feldenkrais practitioner nationally certified massage therapist irest yoga nidra meditation teacher 530 263-3323

  http://www.focusmindandbody.com
  http://www.commonsensehorse.com
  gabrielle.pullen@gmail.com

•   John Barnes // Oct 26th 2010 at 5:54 pm

  For more information about this topic, you can read my Therapeutic Insight article titled, “Breast Health”, at the following link: http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9186&catid=62&title=therapeutic-insight-the-myofascial-release-perspectivebreast-health

  Thanks!

  John

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