Myofascial Release (MFR)

MFR is an advanced style of bodywork where the therapist works with the fascial system.
Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds, supports and protects every living cell within the body.

MFR is not a new modality. Fascial work has been around for some time. In fact Cranialsacral Therapy and Rolfing ® are both forms of MFR.

Fascia is a 3d continuous web or matrix that extends, without interruption, from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. It makes up approximately 80% of the body's soft tissue.

Fascia comprises mainly of 3 substances, collages, elastin and a fluid gel called the ground substance. Collagen provides the strength, elastin provides the flexibility and bounce and the ground substance hydrates the system and also carries cells that have the ability to retain memory.

When the body sustains an injury, or from poor posture or inflammation, the fascial system binds down and the collagen thickens and hardens. The ground substance also becomes less fluid. This bracing or binding down creates a fascial pull, somewhat like a spiders web effect, through adjacent structures creating pain and limited range of motion. In the restricted state fascia can exert up to 2,000lbs per square inch of pressure on the pain sensitive structures of the body.

Fascia, being soft tissue does not show up on any scan or x-ray.

MFR is taught in different and practiced in different ways.

The main differences are-
Some use oil or lotion, other work dry
Some work in a deep tissue stripping fashion, other work with a slow gentle pressure
Some work with a controlled movement, some follow the 3D fascial restrictions
Some work whilst also mobilising a joint, other follow the body's inerrant self correcting mechanisms
Some work with a relatively fast pressure per technique some wait for around 90 seconds for the release.
Some work over a set amount of sessions, some don't
Some work with the site of pain only, other apply a whole body technique.

Few modalities wait for the fascial system to release opposed to moving through the tissue. As fascia is collagen based research has proven that the optimum time for the stretch is approximately 90 seconds. Some modalities use this as the basis for their approach where they apply a slow gentle pressure in order to allow the fascia to reorganise and let go opposed to applying pressure to force the fascial restrictions to release.

Whilst all styles of MFR have their benefit some patients will prefer one style opposed to another

MFR is now being taught in some colleges around the UK as part of a Sports or Remedial course. Very few MFR practitioners exist in the UK as professional training in this approach is limited.

Check the style of MFR your therapist does before you go, the styles are very different.

Types of MFR.(but not limited to):
Rolfing ®. Soft Tissue Release. Soft Tissue Mobilisation. Craniosacral Therapy. Active Release Therapy. Myotherapy. John Barnes MFR.

Myofascial Release treatment can help ...

• Chronic Pain
• Dizziness & vertigo
• Back ache & pelvic imbalance
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Neck & shoulder pain & tension
• Menstrual discomfort
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia & ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) / CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
• Jaw discomfort, teeth grinding & clenching
• Plantar fasciitis & heel spurs
• Sciatica
• Sporting injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis and Golfers elbow
• Whiplash
• General discomfort & muscular spasms
• Post surgical & injury scarring
• And many others.

Myofascial Release treatment can also ...

Information provided by Ruth Duncan, MT. Dip Hypnotherapy :
West Highland Therapies
101 Main St
Milngavie Glasgow
East Dunbartonshire
Scotland UK
0141 942 9600
info@thenaturaltherapycentre.co.uk

About Ruth Duncan
Ruth graduated with honours as a Clinical Massage Therapist at Humanities Centre School of Massage in Florida, USA. Her course work included various techniques including Relaxation, Swedish, Therapeutic, Sports and Remedial Massage. The Neuromuscular component of the course comprised of Muscle Energy techniques, Positional Release, Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy.

On returning to Scotland she furthered her training and studied Sports Injury Rehabilitation, Pregnancy Massage, On-Site Massage and Reiki. Ruth is also a Clinical Hypnotherapist, HypnoBirther and a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She travelled back to the US to undertake post-graduate training with John F Barnes' PT who is the world's leading authority on Myofascial Release.

Ruth receives referrals from Chiropractors, other Therapists and some GPs. She also advertises locally. However, most of her patients are gained from other patient referral.

Rolfing® is a registered trademarks.

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