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Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
What is Myofascial Release (MFR therapy)? How can it relieve pain? Let's discuss how MFR has improved our health and reduced pain and share articles about how MFR works. MFR helps so many different conditions that have compressed tissues, and entrapped blood vessels and nerves. The time to avoid MFR treatment would be if a person has cancer, because in releasing tight tissues, cancer cells could be released and able to migrate through the body.
Myofascial release is a way to stretch the fascial layers that holds our body together. The fascia is connective tissue that forms a web matrix that interconnects everything in the body. It has recently been described as the "Interstitium" or a new organ in the body.
Fascia can be too tight from injuries or surgical scar tissue, and hold the body in poor ergonomics which can lead to nerve compression. Fascia can be stretched or "released" and it will remodel itself by changing from a semi solid to liquid form which brings circulation to an area of compressed tissue which then expands the tissue and circulation, and it enables removal of metabolic waste products. Using their hands, the trained therapist will find the path of fascial restriction in the patient's body and push against it gently in a shearing motion, and wait for the tissue to start to slide. The patient can feel the movement and become body aware. This path of fascial movement can reach the full length of the body and cross over between sides. This path changes as it unravels, and often there is a vasomotor response that can be seen on the skin temporarily as a reddish area where circulation has been restored which is shown on the photo below near the therapist's hands. Treatment must be slow and gentle to prevent the body from guarding in a protective response. This is why aggressive methods to stretch fascia often fail and can cause injuries by tearing the fascia and forming scar tissue that just adds to the problem of fascial tightness.
Fascia also holds tissue memory, and in releasing it, sometimes there is a release of emotions tied to an injury that was a cause of the problem. Stress and injury can cause guarding behavior and tissue tightness that become permanent over time, and MFR and working on emotional health helps a person recover from the physical and emotional effects of stress and trauma on the body.
MFR is helpful to so many conditions that have an underlying physical cause. The physical therapist who developed this treatment method forty years ago is John Barnes. He has developed courses and MFR certifications for physical therapists. There is a lot of information about MFR at myofascialrelease.com as well as directory of therapists treating with MFR. A person may also contact Therapy on the Rocks in Sedona, AZ, and ask for recommendations of therapists who have been trained in the John Barnes Methods. MFR therapy is becoming better known and accepted healing therapy, although there are some doctors who are unaware of the benefits.
I wanted to create this discussion to help organize this information and I thought the Neuropathy group would be a good place to start because someone in pain might look here, but we could have this discussion in many discussion groups. Animals such as dogs, cats and horses have also benefited from this therapy. Hopefully as we collect information here, this discussion can be referenced and shared in the many other discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Here is an incomplete list of conditions that can be helped with MFR treatment.
You may find this list and further information at https://www.myofascialrelease.com/about/problems-mfr-helps.aspx
Back pain
Bladder Problems (Urgency, Frequency, Incontinence, Overactive Bladder, leakage
Birth Injuries
Bulging Disc
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Cervical and Lumbar spine injuries
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Pain
Degenerative Disc Disease
Endometriosis
Emotional Trauma
Fibromyalgia
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Herniated Disc
Headaches or Migraines
Infertility
Interstitial Cystitis
Menstrual Problems
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Neck Pain
Osteoarthritis
Pelvic Pain
Plantar Fascitis
Pudental Nerve Entrapment
Scars (hypertrophic, hypersensitive, painful, burn scars, mastectomy scars)
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Shin Splints
Tennis Elbow
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
TMJ syndrome
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Vulvodynia
Whiplash
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@bustrbrwn22
I had completely forgotten about @cocodab , she was one of the first people I talked with back when I started on Connect. Such a nice person, and so sad what happened to her, especially as such a young person. I see she has not posted since February so we may not see a reply from her. Too many very good people with very bad situations. Hank
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2 Reactions@bustrbrwn22 I've struggled with staying asleep for more than four to five hours for almost 20 years, and only recently have I found a product that works. Melatonin and magnesium supplements did not work for me. Pennsylvania has medical marijuana, and, at the suggestion of my physiatrist, I applied for and was granted a MM card to address anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and the back/butt/leg pain from spinal stenosis and sciatica. For sleeping: I first tried a tincture purchased from a medical marijuana pharmacy that was a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC (5.59mg/0.5ml of CBD and THC). I have never used marijuana recreationally, but I did not experience a "high" or "buzz." I felt relaxed and had no trouble falling asleep and remaining asleep for 7+ hours. Perhaps most importantly, if I woke up to roll over or had a trip to the bathroom, I was able to fall back asleep. I have never been a smoker (of anything), but I also tried a vape pen with a similar makeup to the tincture. The pharmacist who recommended the tincture said a vape pen required less "smoking" than with a dry leaf product because the oil is concentrated. The vape pen would provide the required effect more quickly than a tincture, so the pharmacist thought I might want to try the pen as an option. It takes only 3-4 fairly small "puffs" for me to feel relaxed and sleepy. I now alternate between the two: the tincture I take about 8:30 or 9:00 for a bedtime/reading time of 10:00 or 10:30, and the vape pen I use just as I go to bed. For pain, I tried a 19:1 CBD to THC tincture for use during the day. CBD actually is more effective in the presence of THC, but this product has a very, very low amount of THC (since one does have to work and function during the day). The CBD per 1 ml is about 12 mg. I found no pain relief from this product, and I am now trying a product anyone of legal age can purchase online. Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture -- 83 mg of CBD per 1 ml. I take 0.5 ml three times a day. It's recommended to follow a dosing regiment for 7 to 14 days before deciding does this work/not work. I am starting sessions with a physical therapist trained in the John F. Barnes method of MFR on Sept. 16, and I am holding out hope that MFR and a good physical therapist along with the high concentration CBD brings some relief. (If not, I will be talking with neurosurgeons.) I know that many people are not comfortable using a cannabis product, and I do not want to sound like I am encouraging anyone to try medical cannabis. Just sharing my experience.
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2 Reactions@rwinney I wouldn't think this is good for the body to be so sore. I had a mgr done one time took several days to for the soreness to leave Since I have fibro I can only do a light pressure which is fine
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2 Reactions@rwinney Hi Rachel, Although I have never had MFR, my instinct is that due to your underlying illness, your body is temperamental, delicate, and easily acts up. I know mine is that way, for sure. I have to always watch how much I do, and not over do. I know I get worse without movement, and yet too much of it, and I hurt more. It's a constant balance that must be maintained. You are really a Warrior with your Neuropathy, and always strive for improvement. So do I. But at a very large level, our disease is stronger than we are. I know that even when I roll my feet on a golf ball, if I do too much, the rolling makes my feet worse. We are like Goldilocks, and getting "just the right chair," is near impossible. Love to you, Lori Renee
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3 Reactions@rwinney @jellycats I don't know if it would be of any benefit but I did see a tea over on that Shifa Tea site (that has the headache tea) for aiding sleep.
http://www.shifanaturals.com/sleep-tea
If it's anything like the headache tea I have to believe it's potent. Best, Hank
Thank you so much Hank! Nice to be remembered. Here just don’t watch don’t get involved much. Hands do hurt if I use them so tend to just hang out. Not much new. Hope you are well. ☺️
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3 Reactions@rwinney, oh yes my dear. In the beginning.....when the therapist was discovering or uncovering the restrictions.....it hurt for about 24 hrs as the fascia relaxed and moved fluidly again. I had to wait for the treatment to quiet down to have pain relief. The relief usually lasted 4 or 5 days before I could feel it start to tighten again. This is a process of releasing the knots and kinks in the fascia not an injection.
My MFR therapist always demonstrates the restriction tightness and asks me if I wish to continue. Usually I am OK because I know it will be pain free soon. Just once or twice when I am near the end of a session, I had to stop and accept that the rest would be for next time.
I am amazed when the pain relief begins and am not anxious to see it return. Therefore I do my home work pretty religiously.
I hope this helps you understand the reality is not always relief from pain immediately. As you progress the pain free time will begin sooner and last longer. And it is important to have a John Barnes trained MFR therapist. They understand the realities of the process.
May you be content and at ease today.
Chris
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3 Reactions@artscaping Thank you for your response Chris. My therapist does not talk, give feed back, or input unless I ask. It's a bit annoying but I like him and feel that he does a good job. I do ask him to let up when need be and he tells me anything beyond 24 hours of follow up pain would not be considered normal. So, I'm normal then because my after effects mostly settle after 48 hours. My main concern was that after a year, plus, of receiving treatment, I'm surprised we dont make progress. But, then I consider SFN and realize that I'm never going to actually get better, this is more about maintaining. I was just inquiring to see if others have the same experience and its not just me or my therapist.
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1 Reaction😇You got it @rwinney. Now we can both spread the word and explain about maintaining. That’s reality for those of us with SFN. Education and knowledge ——— powerful stuff.
My best......Chris
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2 Reactions@lorirenee1 Hi Lori! I've missed you. You doing alright? Thanks for the perspective. You usually come up with a creative one, which I love. You are correct,...temperamental, unreliable, and yes, we always strive for balance. Such a key word. Sometimes, I need reminders. 🤪
Take care and I wish you a peaceful day filled with good distraction. 😊
Rachel
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