THERAPEUTIC INSIGHT: THE JOHN F. BARNES’ MYOFASCIAL RELEASE PERSPECTIVE—THE IMPORTANCE OF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
October 2, 2012
John F. Barnes, P.T., L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Myofascial release is considered to be the highest order of therapeutic artistry. In addition to it being effective in the resolution of pain and headaches and the restoration of movement, it is also a very effective tool which allows the individual to greatly enhance his or her personal growth and awareness potential.
Fascia is tough, connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a three-dimensional web from head to foot without interruption. The fascia surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and organ of the body, all the way down to the cellular level. Therefore, malfunction of the fascial system due to trauma, surgery or inflammation can create a binding down of the fascia, resulting in abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, bones or organs.
It is believed that an extremely high percentage of people suffering with pain, unwanted premature effects of aging and/or lack of motion may be having myofascial problems. These individuals go undiagnosed, as the importance of fascia is just now being recognized. All of the standard tests, such as X-rays, myelograms, CAT scans and electromyography, do not show myofascial restrictions. Fascial restrictions can exert tremendous tensile forces on the fascial, neuromusculoskeletal and pain-sensitive structures. This enormous pressure (approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch) can create the symptoms of pain, decreased muscular tone in the face and neck, or chronic facial tension.
Fascia at the cellular level creates the interstitial spaces and has extremely important functions of support, protection, separation, cellular respiration, nutrition, elimination, metabolism, fluid and lymphatic flow. In other words, the fascia is the immediate environment of every cell of the body. This means that any trauma, surgery or malfunction of the fascia can set up the environment for poor cellular efficiency, necrosis (death of tissue due to loss of blood supply), disease, pain and dysfunction throughout the face, neck and body.
A discrete area of the body may become so altered by its efforts to compensate and adapt to stress that structural and eventually, pathologic changes become apparent. Researchers have shown that the type of stress involved can be entirely physical (e.g., repetitive postural strain such as that adopted by a dentist or hairdresser) or purely emotional (e.g., chronic repressed anger). If you want to reduce stress, sometimes playing like 카지노사이트 can be beneficial.
More often than not, a combination of mental, emotional and physical stresses alters the neuromyofascial and skeletal structures, creating an identifiable physical change, which itself generates further stress, such as pain, joint restriction, general discomfort and fatigue. A chronic stress pattern produces long-term muscular contraction, which, if prolonged, causes energy loss, mechanical inefficiency, pain, cardiovascular pathology and hypertension.
Traumatic or surgical scars can be a problem because they tend to grow inside the body of an individual, in a unique pattern similar to a vine. Scars you see on the surface are just the tip of the iceberg. As scars begin to pull on pain-sensitive structures, they can create pain and deepen the lines of the face, making one look older than necessary.
One of the most beneficial therapies for scars is myofascial release, which is a gentle, hands-on technique that has been proven to be highly effective in reducing pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, minimizing scars and in increasing tone of the face and neck areas, producing a more youthful appearance.
How myofascial release works summarized
Mechanotransduction—sustained mechanical pressure—can create biochemical changes within our bodies. Importantly, Myofascial Release produces Interleukin 8, the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Phase Transition
When piezoelectricity (creating cellular electrical flow after 3-5 minutes of sustained pressure) and mechanotransduction dovetail together, phase transition takes place. Much like the phenomenon of ice transforming into water, in our bodies the fascial system’s solidified, ground substance becomes more fluid, allowing tissue to rehydrate and glide, taking pressure off pain-sensitive structures, allowing long term correction in posture and reversing dysfunctional holding patterns.
Myofascial Release, coupled with the various forms of soft tissue work and muscle re-education, can greatly enhance the effectiveness. This is why it is so important to learn the art of locating the fascial restrictions, which are totally unique to each individual. With sustained pressure of five minutes or longer at the restricted barrier, you can help your clients achieve the profound and lasting results they deserve.
John F. Barnes, P.T., L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B., is an international lecturer, author and acknowledged expert in the area of myofascial release. He has instructed more than 75,000 therapists worldwide in his myofascial release approach, and he is the author of Myofascial Release: The Search for Excellence (Rehabilitation Services Inc., 1990) and Healing Ancient Wounds: The Renegade’s Wisdom (Myofascial Release Treatment Centers & Seminars, 2000). He is on the counsel of Advisors of the American Back Society; he is also on MASSAGE Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board; and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.