Myofascial Release

22 responses so far ↓

•   Keith J. Sullivan, PT // Feb 19th 2013 at 3:27 pm

  Myofascial Rebounding has proven to be an invaluable addition to the MFR repertoire. It is one of the legs of the stool: structural release, unwinding, rebounding (and now pandiculation). It’s a great eval technique, allowing you to find the “reefs & breakers”. And it’s a great treatment technique, allowing you to “erode” the reefs & breakers, like a river washing away a boulder over time. Enjoy.

•   Dianne Hargroder PT // Feb 19th 2013 at 6:21 pm

  I was about to do a little self treatment, but decided to comment first here based on an experience today that definitely resonates! Rebounding is a “technique” i find myself engaging with nearly every patient, and today was no different. I treated a gentleman with significant rigidity and Parkinsonian symptoms that have progressed for many years, especially regarding lack of rotation in his trunk affecting all mobility and movement attempts. We started with gentle rebounding, and the ability he had of connecting to a more fluid movement within his spine and extremities was amazing, felt within the first 15-20 minutes. Treatment flowed back and forth from sustained cross hand work, back to rebounding, etc,and 45 minutes later, his ability to connect, move, turn, rotate, actually “feel” energy moving through his system was amplified even more. He got off of the table in a quarter of the time it took him to get on only an hour before. His words were, “i actually feel as though i have a new lease on life”. Thanks John for teaching this profound work…I get to hear and witness things like this every day. Dianne Hargroder PT

•   Molly McMillan, OTR/L // Feb 19th 2013 at 7:13 pm

  The resonance and vibration that rebounding elicits can be felt in the body. Rebounding had been an integral part of my MFR practice, and has created big shifts for my clients enabling them to reach their goals more quickly and fully. It’s especially wonderful to use with children whom are natural rebounders! They love the jello jiggle:)

•   Michael Boals, PTA // Feb 19th 2013 at 7:40 pm

  Thanks for the fascinating and enlightening article, John.

  The way you describe a “release” is perfect, it’s just how we experience it.

  Over the last six years we have been practicing and refining our MFR skills in your seminars and as a result our patients experience much more then they originally bargained for in their treatments.

  Aracelli and I are so delighted to be participating in as you say a profound and life changing event with our patients As we watch their fascial system open up and their “lights come back on” over and over again, it’s hard to describe the delight and joy we feel as they release their restrictions. What an incredible feeling for a therapist to experience these days.

  Not only does the patient feel less pain but they realize that they have more control over their lives than they previously thought. As the restrictions are released, they become more present and are more likely to make conscious choices that will benefit them.

  I see more and more therapists experiencing frustration and burn out these days having to see more and more patients and not really being able to do anything…take one of John’s MFR courses and I guarantee you’ll find out what you’ve been missing! Thanks for showing us the missing link in healthcare John!

•   Redbear Taylor // Feb 20th 2013 at 4:21 am

  Mr. Barnes
  Nice job of bringing in vibration thru the “Resonance Door” Dr. Bruce Lipton (cellular biologist) speaks to this resonance in his works. We have found this to be a effective way of explaining this to our clients, especially some of the effects a few days after Tx. Damn, Mr. Barnes you are such a progressive Teacher for one so young.
  happy trails
  redbear

•   Garth and Sandy Whitcombe // Feb 20th 2013 at 6:07 am

  Hi John, Thank you once again for another thought provoking post!
  As you know, as well as being an MFR therapist, I am also a sound engineer/musician so I work a lot with resonance. In audio resonance means literally to re-sound – where an oscillating sound wave is transferred from one medium to another.
  An effect called sympathetic vibration can result in an increase in energy in the system/body if the applied oscillation matches the inherent resonant frequency of that system.
  I like to use this concept with rebounding, gently introducing an oscillation or wave and modulating the frequency until the physical energy begins to build on itself. There is a moment when resonance becomes self sustaining and the very slightest touch will maintain motion.
  The true genius of MFR as you teach it, John, is embodied in this concept of resonance. Once energy is applied to a system it will inevitably reorganize around this new stimulus. When force is applied with out allowing for resonance it can inhibit this reorganization. The art of MFR is applying just enough pressure over time to allow resonance to build, all the while subtly adjusting the amplitude to sustain the release.

•   Ami Wilson Kalisek // Feb 20th 2013 at 8:09 am

  I can’t wait to read more about this kind of effect as more research is collected.
  That is a fascinating hint of what goes on beneath the hands of the MFR therapist.
  It describes how it feels when a release happens both receiving and giving.
  I hope there are more blogs on this, and I am heading to the article for more.
  Thanks, John!

•   Mike // Feb 20th 2013 at 8:22 am

  Hi John,

  I had the great pleasure of treating 3 new patiwents yesterday, all of which have significant chronic issues, & all of which have been through just about every type of therapy out there except for your version of MFR. All 3 had the same response…”I have never felt anything like that before..I know it’s what I need.” That feeling of resonance is so powerful, people intuitively know it’s important when they feel it.

•   Emily Estes // Feb 20th 2013 at 9:29 am

  So many of my patients say they love rebounding because it is so relaxing. Now since reading this beautiful explanation, I know I can help them feel more deeply into the “oceanic”‘flow of liquid light. Thank you John!

•   Scott van Niekerk // Feb 20th 2013 at 4:36 pm

  I love rebounding. But what I want to talk about in this post is resonance. Yesterday and today I have been coming down with something. My nose has had watery fluid running out of it, almost out of control! I have handkerchiefs in each pocket and a box of tissues on my desk. It must be a cold or something. However, the minute I started treating this morning, the symptoms disappeared. My head no longer felt full of foam, My sinuses allowed me to breathe again, my nose stopped running and I stopped sneezing. I thought to myself thank goodness I didn’t call in to work sick. I’m quite sure my boss would’ve understood!

  How do I explain this? In one word, resonance.

  The minute we touch our patients with the therapeutic intention that John Barnes has taught us, an incredibly helpful bio electric flow exchange begins. The Piezoelectric effect is initiated. The patient and therapist become treated in this same space of flowing life force energy. I am grateful that I feel so much better once connected, in the flow and in tune with my essence. John gives that a name, channel 3.

  Thank you John for leading the way and being the pointed leading edge of the spear.

•   Craig Cohen // Feb 21st 2013 at 2:40 pm

  John, thank you again for bringing Myofascial Release into our lives. The resonance you refer to happens all day in our clinic in Miami. Patients releasing restrictions they have held onto for years. As well releasing emotional scars that have held them back from authentic healing. Rebounding is an amazing technique used to introduce resonance and allowing ourselves to let go of holding patterns. I thank you again for introducing this to me and my clients.

•   Tanya Buchko Green LMT // Feb 21st 2013 at 5:51 pm

  As a musician and an MFR therapist, I appreciate the importance of resonance. Being exactly in tune is an important part of creating a sound greater than the sum of its parts when playing music sonorously with others, just as achieving resonance, or tuning in to my clients tissues allows powerful release and change to occur. Rebounding increases the flow and connections in the body, enhancing ROM and energy level. I used to be called a fidgeter . . but now I realize, I was just in need of a good jiggling!

•   Drucilla Likens Pape // Feb 21st 2013 at 7:03 pm

  Dear John,
  I just wanted to share that in my 31 years of experience as a school-based OT and private practitioner, the triad of Myofascial Release,Rebounding and Unwinding has been the key to effectively treating so many challenging diagnoses.
  For 23 years I worked in the school systems of Ohio, treating children diagnosed with conditions such as Multiple Disabilities, ADHD, OCD, Autism, SED (severely emotionally disturbed) to name a few. These children were truly challenged every minute of every day…..and looked forward to receiving Myofascial Release treatment as a significant part of their educational/OT program. I recall how the children who were mobile and verbal, would run to me, begging “Take me, take me!” (Some of these children were not even on my caseload, but had gotten to experience Myofascial Release or Rebounding with a “buddy”, and craved more!). Autistic children who were unable to express themselves adequately verbally, would take my hand and lead me to the treatment space within the classroom where I had had them lie or sit during treatment. Further, they would take my hands and place them on key points of treatment, such as the tentorium cerebelli, respiratory diaphragm and pelvic floor….or atop particular areas (joints) like the shoulders. Children with ADHD simply lay down on the mat in readiness for rebounding! The children who had ADHD or SED were willing and grateful to have the treatment which helped them to feel organized and calm, which MFR rebounding and the deep sustained pressure of crossed-hand releases and joint compression afforded) The ages of these “children” included infant (alcohol & drug-addicted babies), and pre-school through high school age!
  During the summer, I worked at the adult workshops, which is where the “graduates” of the special needs programs went to work or otherwise receive care and meaningful activities/programming. This population included those with a diagnosis of “multiple-disabilities”, and the majority were wheelchair-bound, having immobility and structural pain from cerebral palsy and other issues. They were non-verbal for the most part, but the relief in their eyes, vocalizations, and movements after a treatment session was gratifying and touching!
  This work is nothing short of a therapeutic miracle, based on very solid scientific research….
  As therapists, we were taught to do what worked. Now, science is catching up to tell us why it works, and how it works!
  It is wonderful to know that there is now a worldwide yearly symposium devoted to the study of fascia!
  Thank you, John, for your vision…..for persevering in doing what works, and for teaching it to so many of us…..long before Myofascial Release was accepted as a legitimate therapy! It is moving with momentum from unrecognized, to “alternative” to medically-based, scientifically-evidenced treatment!
  Our patients who have truly tried everything else, embrace Myofascial Release…..and are willing to pay out of pocket if need be, for MFR, which is the ultimate testament to how well it works!
  With gratitude, Dru

•   Rich in Payson // Feb 21st 2013 at 11:26 pm

  Thanks John for transcending the science into the art regarding the phenomenon of resonance when applying Myofascial Release. Simplicity with great depth in profound cellular physiological function translating into improved tissue motility freeing the body and mind from its adhesive restrictions. Less means more when applying your principles, especially when allowing resonant rebounding for reaching new levels of awareness and movement.

•   John Wolin, LMT // Feb 23rd 2013 at 2:44 pm

  Rebounding is my favorite class and technique. I love how the simplicity of the technique can elicit such amazing healing in the body. I once had a client who suffered a minor stroke. After she was cleared by her doctor she came in to see me for her regular treatment. She let me know that she was feeling much better but her new medications left her feeling groggy. We started the session with some gentle rebounding at her head. Immediately I could feel a slushy, irregular motion of the fuuidity in her cranium. After several minutes of echoing she had a nice smooth fluidity in her head. After her treatment she let me know that was the best she had felt since before her stroke. She just couldn’t believe such a simple technique helped clear everything up. Thanks John.

•   Lisa Salinger // Feb 25th 2013 at 7:34 pm

  Rebounding is so valuable in that it enables us to both evaluate and treat simultaneously. I have found it extremely useful with clients who have very little awareness of their own body. Often just asking them to become aware of areas that are, or are not, moving during rebounding helps them to feel more connected. As a bonus, when we as therapists are in resonance with our clients, we benefit from the treatment too!

•   Mary Mancillas-Loveless // Feb 28th 2013 at 8:10 am

  Rebounding is stimulating, exciting and so relaxing at the same time. Clients respond to it so well. The chatter box clients aren’t able to keep up with their chatter/avoidance patterns with rebounding.

  If you haven’t taken “Rebounding” it is a wonderful class/tech. I use it all the time.

  Mary Loveless PTA, LMT
  Back In Motion
  Great Falls, Montana

•   Julie Leigh, OTR/L // Feb 28th 2013 at 12:14 pm

  Rebounding is a collective favorite of my animals- even my cat loves the effects! What I love about rebounding is that it doesn’t allow the conscious & subconscious bracing patterns to persist. So when I find that a client just won’t get out of their left brain, I tend to start with gentle echoing & move into full range rebounding… so much fun to watch the bracing patterns dissolve! Rebounding is definitely a technique that everyone can benefit from!

•   Ann Udofia // Feb 28th 2013 at 10:33 pm

  I completely concur with everyone’s posts on the incredible effectiveness of Rebounding. I use Rebounding in just about every session, and I particularly love it with the kids that I work with. They respond so beautifully to the soothing rhythm the oscillations provides in order to free up their fascial web.

•   Aaron LeBauer PT, DPT, LMBT // Mar 14th 2013 at 11:28 am

  John,
  Thank you for bringing up the topic of resonance. I love rebounding, my patients love it, and for some it takes some explanation and describing resonance and how one can form waves in a pool or bathtub is helpful for me. I find that we resonate all day long, just sometimes not on a frequency that serves us.

•   Lisa Mason Ganfield, OTR/L, CHT // Mar 15th 2013 at 7:09 pm

  I can remember several times when you rebounded me in an effort to get me to let go…. Sometimes I ended up hanging onto your pant leg for dear life… Upsides down like I would fall sometimes skiing. Rebounding is a great facilitator of removing barriers and helping move past old holding patterns that no longer serve.
  It makes me smile thinking about what you have so beautifully taught us. A gift that keeps on giving !
  Love, Lisa

•   Stephen Sanacore // Apr 11th 2013 at 7:51 am

  When I started my practice in 2005 I named one of my treatment rooms resonance and just the name entitled patients to rebound on their own. Thanks John.
  Love and Light
  Stephen

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