↑

Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre

Myofascial Release – What is it?

Leave a Comment

Myofascial Release (MFR) has become a very popular word.  In fact, it is quickly gaining recognition as the missing link in traditional healthcare.  The term has been used incorrectly by a lot of manual therapists, who are applying deep tissue massage, forcing the system that does not want to be forced and calling it MFR.   For many, this form of therapy does not offer an effective solution to their pain.

Correctly used, it is a safe and effective treatment.  A trained therapist using the John F Barnes (JFB) approach will not use lotion or oils to massage the muscles.   Therapists, treating each patient as an individual, using sustained pressure, engages the tissue at the area of restriction and sinks in until resistance is met.  This is known as the fascial barrier.  At this point they hold for 2-8 minutes or for as long as it takes to release.  The time factor is important as it allows the fascia to elongate naturally, returning it to its normal resting length.  This in turn provides results that are both functional and measurable.

Myofascia, myo – referring to muscle, and fascia the connective tissue surrounding, infusing and protecting every muscle, nerve, blood vessel, organ and bone in the body.  It is the largest, most continuous 3D system in our body, literally surrounding us from head to toe.  It is dynamic in nature and responds to internal and external forces.

Fascial restrictions do not show up on CT scans, MRI’s or XRays.  Consequently, patients suffer from undiagnosed fascial pain.  Understanding the fascial system enables us to understand how an injury, trauma or dysfunction can affect our entire structure.  Traditional health care treats the symptoms or labels: Myofascial Release treats the total body right down to the cellular level.

Like many other alternative therapies, MFR supports the intimate connection between body and mind.  The body has the ability to remember positions in space, emotions and actions without the brain reminding it to do so, this phenomenon is known as tissue memory.  This memory can often manifest into the emotion and physical pain you are feeling.

MFR is a total body approach.  Considering fascia surrounds us completely, feel deeper than your symptomatic pain next treatment, you might just find the root cause of your symptoms and release them.

 

To find a trained MFR therapist near you to truly experience Myofascial Release

 

Tara Hagan-FieldsTara Hagan-Fields is an RMT with Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre.   Tara is a Women’s Health Specialist and Expert Myofascial Release Therapist.  She focuses on the body as a whole and teaches you to do the same.  More about Tara here.  

Breast Health – Post Mastectomy Myofascial Release

1 Comment

By Tara Hagan-Fields RMT, Women’s Health Specialist and Expert Myofascial Release Therapist.

breast cancerPain and tightness suffered post mastectomy/lumpectomy can limit one’s life drastically. Myofascial Release can help create vast changes by softening dense scars and fibrosed fascia that are unchanged with traditional therapy and stretching.

Traumatized tissue can have a cascading effect on the body. Locally, tightened and fibrous fascia can restrict blood flow and lymphatic flow, this can result in lymphedema. Auxiliary cording can occur, causing a significant loss of range of motion in the shoulder, resulting in a loss of function. Pain and weakness can occur in the shoulder, arm and chest wall. Burning, pins and needles, numbness or spasms can also occur in these areas.

cording
Axillary cording is a web of thick, rope-like structures under the skin of your inner arm. These cords usually start near the site of your scarring in the underarm region and extend down the inner arm to the inside of the elbow (sometimes they can continue down to the palm of your hand, or in to the chest wall instead of, or in addition to, the inner arm.

Tightness, with time, can start to effect areas not associated with the scar. Areas far removed from the local site may be impacted. Symptoms not “normal” to mastectomy, lumpectomy, reconstruction or augmentation can start to occur. Headaches, jaw pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, digestive issues, postural changes, hormonal imbalances, etc., may become a “common” occurrence for you.

The inability to move, or the pain suffered with common range of motion and activity can become debilitating. This might happen immediately, or it might occur 6 years down the road. In real life it might look like, the inability to wash your hair in the shower, get dressed in the morning, pick your child up out of the crib, hug a loved one, carry your groceries, drive your car, work at your computer, reach up and grab the sugar out of the cupboard. No matter the role you have as a woman: mom, worker, grandma: breast mfryour life is impacted.

Pain management and rehabilitation using Myofascial Release can help. Gentle and slow work done at the fascial barrier (on the scar and surrounding areas) can assist in restoring functional patterns by decreasing the restrictions.

Whether you had surgery, chemo or radiation last month, or 10 years ago, Myofascial Release should be added to                                                                          your recovery process.

 

 

 

 

Tara Hagan-FieldsTara Hagan-Fields is an RMT with Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre.   Tara is a Women’s Health Specialist and Expert Myofascial Release Therapist.  She focuses on the body as a whole and teaches you to do the same.  More about Tara here.