My decision to change career paths and pursue massage therapy was largely influenced by a practitioner of a type of bodywork known as Myofascial Release. At the time, I’d been struggling with lingering pain from injuries from a car accident, and his approach was completely different and very effective. I received far more relief from two sessions with him than I had in the dozens prior to him.
Later, after finishing Massage School and becoming Nationally Certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, I had the opportunity to spend 60 hours studying Myofascial Release myself, under the originator of the modality, John Barnes. National Certification requires continuing education credits, so I was very excited to add this tool to my arsenal and get some credit for it.
Myofascial Release (MFR) differs from traditional massage in that it addresses the fascia, or connective tissue, which surrounds muscle groups, individual muscles, and even each muscle cell. The fascia has incredible tensile strength, and when trauma or injury occurs, because it runs throughout the body in a web-like fashion, it can create an effect like a snag in a sweater, where it pulls from many different directions. The fascia is treated in a different manner as well, in that no oils or lotions are used, to better enable gripping of the tissues. The practitioner works very slowly, sinking into deeper layers to access the fascia, then moving in slow, separating motions, seeking and then releasing the adhesions that they find. There are more structural and more energetic applications of the same technique, depending on the intent of the therapist and the goals of the client.
Because of the deep scarring that is accessed and released, the healing of MFR can be very profound. Where a more surface rubbing over a muscle might not release a deep-seated scar, Myofascial Release techniques can be applied with great effect. I have had great success using MFR in post-surgery clients to restore the range of motion lost due to scarring and immobilization for a period of time.
Nationally Certified Massage Therapists are constantly adding to their knowledge base of treatment methods in order to stay current and certified. In addition, they must constantly update their ethics certification. When seeking massage therapy, always ask for a therapist who has been Nationally Certified. These therapists are not just practicing a trade, they are practitioners who are committed to professionalism, ongoing education, and the eventual mainstreaming of Therapeutic Massage into health insurance coverage and the medical community.
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