Myofascial Release
Therapists incorporating "hands-on" therapy into their repertoire greatly enhance
their ability to help others. Myofascial release respects the wisdom of the mind/body
and its capacity to self-correct.
It is important for those providing "hands-on" treatment to realize that the mind/body
is a repository of information. The mind/body can be used as a biofeedback system for
the master therapist's finely trained, sensitive hands. It can then be used as a handle
or lever to provide access to emotions and belief systems and allow for structural and
biochemical change.
their ability to help others. Myofascial release respects the wisdom of the mind/body
and its capacity to self-correct.
It is important for those providing "hands-on" treatment to realize that the mind/body
is a repository of information. The mind/body can be used as a biofeedback system for
the master therapist's finely trained, sensitive hands. It can then be used as a handle
or lever to provide access to emotions and belief systems and allow for structural and
biochemical change.
By: John F. Barnes, PT
The master therapist recognizes the importance of therapeutic pain, and instead of masking it, enables the
patient to go into and through the pain, fear, or lesion. As the patient does this, awareness occurs and
function will improve spontaneously.
Therapists will be concerned with releasing the body's fascial restrictions mechanically and reorganizing the
neuromuscular system. This reorganization occurs by supplying the central nervous system with new information
(awareness) that allows for change and improved movement potential and consciousness.
Mastery means not only achieving a certain level of skill but is also an attitude. Masters are fully aware of what
they are doing. They understand the importance of touch as an expression of acceptance., nourishment and a
for of biofeedback to glean information from patients' mind/body awareness. Their touch should be applied with
focused awareness and conscious purpose. The focus should be fluid, moving from tight and narrow (logical,
analytical thought) to open, feeling every thing at once without thought or effort (intuition, insight).
Ron Kurtz described ordinary consciousness (basic, working consciousness) as "goal-directed, focused,
externally oriented bounded by an awareness of a space and time." 1 Ordinary consciousness operates out of
habit, barely paying attention, in hot pursuit of goals, ignoring the possibility of information available in the
present moment. People who constantly function in ordinary consciousness are on automatic, unaware, and "in
kind of a trance." 1 To experience deeply and wisely, one must be balanced, fully aware, using the analytical,
logical, narrow focus, and gleaning the insights available from a creative, feeling, open focus (focused
awareness). This is a vital way of functioning and goal we should have for our patients.
The compulsive, narrow-focused therapist has difficulty easing back. Frustration surfaces quickly and in an
effort to try to make something happen, he or she uses mere technique or force. Effort is a function of the ego
creating either/or situations, thereby setting up resistance. Effortlessness (case) allows ego to let go and
creates the environment for the spontaneous to occur. Quality therapy feels easy and right. 1 It has a
spontaneous flow that leads to discovery. Then the logical, analytical mind has relevant information with which
to make purposeful decisions and treatment choices.
The alert therapist looks for patterns in patients, the mechanical or automatic in movement, and words.
Increased tone in the musculature during movement, posture, or expression is a response to one's emotional
state or thought and is not part of conscious awareness. The therapist should focus the patient's awareness on
any motion with which the breathing is not easy, where there is a sense of resistance, and where effort or a
difficulty with reversibility is involved. This awareness will allow the patient to reorganize, for understanding
follows, rather than precedes, experiences.
Another hallmark of a master is flexibility and courage. Recognize the importance of the status quo as long as it
does no harm and as long as it works. Always be open to new and better ways. Just because things have always
been done a certain way does not mean that way has any value. Think of yourself and through your personal
experience, decide if it has value for you or your patients.
One of the laws of nature is the path of least resistance, which is fine as long as it is taking you where you want
to go. Being stuck in the left-brained, automatic trance is mindlessly following the goals and ways of others.
Choose your own path by the creative use of your insight and willpower, and then have the courage to stick to
it.
In making your decision always ask, "What is the best interest of my patient?" When you come from that
orientation, your intelligence, flexibility, and courage will be rewarded time and again. That attitude benefits
you, your patient, and your profession.
Mastery has to do with stillness. Eliminating unnecessary internal thoughts and external verbal chatter creates
the necessary sense of calm. This quiet ease allows the master to be fully aware of the patient's emotional
state, fluidity of motion, automatic habits in expression and motion, and the feel of tissue restrictions.
Stillness instills confidence int he patient and gives the patient's central nervous system information about what
calm and ease feel like. One cannot learn to be calm and at ease by just intellectualizing these attributes.
Through the experience of touch, a sense of ease can be transmitted to the patient, which can be an invaluable
lesson.
We should learn from each patient and it should not be work. Stay light and joyful in what you do. Teach your
patient to re-experience a sense of joy.
Tell your patients not to view what happened to cause their dysfunction as a defeat but rather to see it as a
lesson. By loking for the positive, they can see its value, learn form it, and allow themselves to heal. Help them
to understand that one of the best lessons is that they may not be able to change the circumstances of their
life. But they can move from being passive, helpless recipients to active participants. This important change in
perspective creates a partnership between you and your patients where you can help them to help themselves.
Thus, mastery is teaching through example. The master is real, calm , nonjudgemental, intelligent, sensitive,
strong, yet flexible, supportive, compassionate, empathic, and joyful.
Enjoy the dawn of this new era and allow your journey to be exciting and fulfilling.
patient to go into and through the pain, fear, or lesion. As the patient does this, awareness occurs and
function will improve spontaneously.
Therapists will be concerned with releasing the body's fascial restrictions mechanically and reorganizing the
neuromuscular system. This reorganization occurs by supplying the central nervous system with new information
(awareness) that allows for change and improved movement potential and consciousness.
Mastery means not only achieving a certain level of skill but is also an attitude. Masters are fully aware of what
they are doing. They understand the importance of touch as an expression of acceptance., nourishment and a
for of biofeedback to glean information from patients' mind/body awareness. Their touch should be applied with
focused awareness and conscious purpose. The focus should be fluid, moving from tight and narrow (logical,
analytical thought) to open, feeling every thing at once without thought or effort (intuition, insight).
Ron Kurtz described ordinary consciousness (basic, working consciousness) as "goal-directed, focused,
externally oriented bounded by an awareness of a space and time." 1 Ordinary consciousness operates out of
habit, barely paying attention, in hot pursuit of goals, ignoring the possibility of information available in the
present moment. People who constantly function in ordinary consciousness are on automatic, unaware, and "in
kind of a trance." 1 To experience deeply and wisely, one must be balanced, fully aware, using the analytical,
logical, narrow focus, and gleaning the insights available from a creative, feeling, open focus (focused
awareness). This is a vital way of functioning and goal we should have for our patients.
The compulsive, narrow-focused therapist has difficulty easing back. Frustration surfaces quickly and in an
effort to try to make something happen, he or she uses mere technique or force. Effort is a function of the ego
creating either/or situations, thereby setting up resistance. Effortlessness (case) allows ego to let go and
creates the environment for the spontaneous to occur. Quality therapy feels easy and right. 1 It has a
spontaneous flow that leads to discovery. Then the logical, analytical mind has relevant information with which
to make purposeful decisions and treatment choices.
The alert therapist looks for patterns in patients, the mechanical or automatic in movement, and words.
Increased tone in the musculature during movement, posture, or expression is a response to one's emotional
state or thought and is not part of conscious awareness. The therapist should focus the patient's awareness on
any motion with which the breathing is not easy, where there is a sense of resistance, and where effort or a
difficulty with reversibility is involved. This awareness will allow the patient to reorganize, for understanding
follows, rather than precedes, experiences.
Another hallmark of a master is flexibility and courage. Recognize the importance of the status quo as long as it
does no harm and as long as it works. Always be open to new and better ways. Just because things have always
been done a certain way does not mean that way has any value. Think of yourself and through your personal
experience, decide if it has value for you or your patients.
One of the laws of nature is the path of least resistance, which is fine as long as it is taking you where you want
to go. Being stuck in the left-brained, automatic trance is mindlessly following the goals and ways of others.
Choose your own path by the creative use of your insight and willpower, and then have the courage to stick to
it.
In making your decision always ask, "What is the best interest of my patient?" When you come from that
orientation, your intelligence, flexibility, and courage will be rewarded time and again. That attitude benefits
you, your patient, and your profession.
Mastery has to do with stillness. Eliminating unnecessary internal thoughts and external verbal chatter creates
the necessary sense of calm. This quiet ease allows the master to be fully aware of the patient's emotional
state, fluidity of motion, automatic habits in expression and motion, and the feel of tissue restrictions.
Stillness instills confidence int he patient and gives the patient's central nervous system information about what
calm and ease feel like. One cannot learn to be calm and at ease by just intellectualizing these attributes.
Through the experience of touch, a sense of ease can be transmitted to the patient, which can be an invaluable
lesson.
We should learn from each patient and it should not be work. Stay light and joyful in what you do. Teach your
patient to re-experience a sense of joy.
Tell your patients not to view what happened to cause their dysfunction as a defeat but rather to see it as a
lesson. By loking for the positive, they can see its value, learn form it, and allow themselves to heal. Help them
to understand that one of the best lessons is that they may not be able to change the circumstances of their
life. But they can move from being passive, helpless recipients to active participants. This important change in
perspective creates a partnership between you and your patients where you can help them to help themselves.
Thus, mastery is teaching through example. The master is real, calm , nonjudgemental, intelligent, sensitive,
strong, yet flexible, supportive, compassionate, empathic, and joyful.
Enjoy the dawn of this new era and allow your journey to be exciting and fulfilling.
John F. Barnes, PT
MASTERY - A NEW ERA
Reference:
1. Kurtz, R., "Body centered psychotherapy: the Hakomi therapy". Ashland, OR: Author and the Hakomi Institute, 1988
1. Kurtz, R., "Body centered psychotherapy: the Hakomi therapy". Ashland, OR: Author and the Hakomi Institute, 1988
| Author: Jarmila Svoboda Copyright @ 2007 All rights reserved. Revised: 5/3/2011 |
John F. Barnes, PT, is the owner of the Myofascial Release Treatment Centers in Sedona, AZ and n Paoli, PA
(suburban Philadelphia). In addition Barnes presents Myofascial Release Seminars across the country and in
Canada. He has published two books and produced three video on his Myofascial Release Approach. For more
information on Treatment Centers, Seminars, or Merchandise please call 1-800-FASCIAL or write to MFR
Seminars, 222 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301 or visit our website @ www.myofascialrelease.com
(suburban Philadelphia). In addition Barnes presents Myofascial Release Seminars across the country and in
Canada. He has published two books and produced three video on his Myofascial Release Approach. For more
information on Treatment Centers, Seminars, or Merchandise please call 1-800-FASCIAL or write to MFR
Seminars, 222 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301 or visit our website @ www.myofascialrelease.com
Man cannot discover new oceans until he has the
courage to lose sight of the shore.
Anonymous
courage to lose sight of the shore.
Anonymous
Everything that happens to you is a lesson,
Everyone you meet is a teacher.
There are no exceptions,
and it happens all your lifetime.
Unknown
Everyone you meet is a teacher.
There are no exceptions,
and it happens all your lifetime.
Unknown
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