Myofasical Release

---

Myofascial Release, as developed and taught by John F. Barnes, PT, is a therapeutic technique that results in permanent lengthening of the body’s connective tissue/fascia and has the capacity to dramatically improve health and quality of life.  MyofascialRelease treatment can also be performed on oneself, with excellent results in decreased pain, increased flexibility, improved posture and athletic performance. Self-treatment Is called Myofascial Stretching. Fascia is the tough connective tissue surrounding and infusing every cell from head to toe like a three-dimensional spider web. It provides support and flexibility to all structures of the body. Basically, it holds the body together. It is elastic, strong and fluid. Elastin fibers are rubber-like.Collagen fibers provide strength and protection from over extension. A gel-like fluid called the ground substance fills the spaces between the elastin, collagen and muscle fibers. It allows them to glide smoothly over one another and acts as a shock absorber.Injury, trauma, and poor posture cause these fascial fibers to tighten, shorten, thicken and adhere, putting abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, bones, organs and the brain. Pain, restriction of motion and structural misalignment are some of the consequences. Modern medicine tends to look at muscles, bones and organs in isolation, generally ignoring the importance of the global system that connects them all together.Myofascial Releaseis a gentle, hands-on approach used to free up fascial restrictions throughout the body. This is accomplished by applying sustained pressure into the fascial barrier or restriction, waiting a minimum of 90 to 120 seconds for a release to occur, following that release into the next barrier, and waiting again. After a series of releases, a noticeable softening can be felt as the tissue elongates. As fascial layers are released the client gains greater flexibility. This takes pressure off of sensitive structures and allows normal function resulting in: 

• Decreased Pain
• More flexibility
• Enhanced Daily Functional Abilities
• Refined Athletic Performance
• Increased Ease of Movement
• Improved Balance
• Better Posture
• Greater Structural Integrity

This safe, gentle, consistently effective approach may be helpful to you if you have any of these conditions:

• Adhesions and Scars                   
• Auto Injuries                                 
• Back Pain                                    
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome                
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome            
• Disc Problems                             
• Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain           
• Fibromyalgia                                 
• Headaches                                   
• Hip Pain                                        
• Jaw Pain                                      
• Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Post-Operative and Traumatic Scarring
• Restriction in Motion
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Shoulder Pain
• Sports Injuries
• Stress and Tension Related Problems
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Work Injuries

Infants and children can benefit greatly from myofascial release, craniosacral therapy and other manual techniques. Whether the result of a birthing injury, developmental delay, trauma or infection, a number of conditions specific to childhood will often respond to gentle guidance from the therapist's hands. 

• Asthma                                         
• Attention Deficit                             
• Autism Spectrum                           
• Balance Problems                          
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Ear infections
• Down’s Syndrome                           
• Dyspraxia                                       
• Elimination Problems                       
• Feeding Difficulties                          
• Fine Motor Incoordination                 
• Gross Motor Incoordination             
• Learning Disabilities                         
• Headache 
• Reflux
• Colic
• Hypotonia
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurologic/Orthopedic Injuries
• Prematurity
• Pervasive Developmental Delays
• Scoliosis
• Sensory Integration Dysfunction
• Sensory Modulation Difficulties
• Sports Injuries
• Postural Misalignment
• Torticollis

Trauma, pelvic torsion, childbirth, inflammatory processes and poor posture can all cause fascial restrictions in the pelvis and pelvic floor areas, resulting in a myriad of women’s health problems. Myofascial Release is gentle and non-invasive, and can often relieve long-standing problems for women who have been going from one health care provider to the next seeking answers to their pain and dysfunction. 

• Bladder Problems (painful urination, interstitial cystitis, etc.) 
• Coccydynia (tail bone pain)  
• Endometriosis
• Episiotomy Scars
• Infertility
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome        
• Lymphedema
• Mastectomy Pain /Scar Restrictions
• Menstrual Problems
• Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
• Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction
• Post-Abdominal Surgery
• Post-Breast Reconstruction Surgery
• Pregnancy-Related Pain
• Preparing for Childbirth
• Problematic Breast Implant/Reduction Scars
• Pudendal Nerve Entrapment
• Urinary Leakage/Incontinence/Urgency/FrequencyProlapses