Myofascial Release Therapy , why are there no blogs about this?

Because this is a
Mayo Clinic based forum, a la “western medicine” view points.

Many people on this forum make up a large demographic that sees only medical doctors in white coats for pills or surgery.

So ways to take care of one’s self, through a whole body approach isn’t discussed here that often. It’s most likely advice of “better see your doctor”.

Most Western Med docs don’t speak to musculature maintenance nor practice it.

@pdpbob01 Mayo does recognize Myofascial release therapy. Here is an article about it, and I have found 2 chiropractors in the Mayo rehab center who are listed as doing this treatment.

I found MFR because of a thoracic surgeon who was treating me for thoracic outlet syndrome and he said that surgery was not a good answer to this condition because it creates more scar tissue, and what's best is to release the tightness from scar tissue and injury. Not all doctors are familiar with this type of physical therapy, and they do get a lot of perks from the drug manufacturers sending samples, and treating them to fancy dinners, etc in order to promote pharmaceutical sales. Insurance companies cause bias too because they don't want to pay for several weeks of physical therapy, and a drug prescription is probably less costly for them.

In medical school, doctors study cadaver tissue, so they don't see living fascia and watch how it moves and changes, so I suppose that can influence how they think about it. They would see it during surgery, but the focus would be on the surgical problem, not exploring the fascia.

The physical therapist, John Barnes, who created this form of therapy does have a lot of information on his website, and a You Tube channel with informative videos. A lot of what he talks about is geared toward physical and massage therapists. He has been teaching this for over 40 years, and it has taken time to gain acceptance in the medical community.

You can find the John Barnes Myofascial Release You Tube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@myofascialrelease6247

When I was searching for the You Tube channel I had to search for "John Barnes" because now it seems that "myofascial release" has become a buzzword and many physical therapists and clinics are promoting it. Some don't correctly define how MFR is different from stretching. The fascia is like a cobweb permeating all your tissues that changes state between a semi solid and a liquid crystal matrix and it reforms itself and then re solidifies. What you do when you do MFR therapy is to apply a shearing force and you wait for the fascia to unwind and release itself. You can't aggressively force it because that can tear the fascia and cause more scar tissue which increases the problem and the tightness. When all this tightness is released, the body can move better and be aligned better. It takes a gentle touch and patience.

We do have this discussion on Connect which has been getting attention in the medical community. Physical therapists are having more patients contact them abut MFR therapy because this discussion and mentions in other Connect discussions have created awareness in the community. I have heard this from my physical therapist and it has been discussed in the therapist's professional community.

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

@pdpbob01 Welcome to Mayo Connect. @jenniferhunter has shared some great information about MFR.

I would like to add that our Support Group are member driven and you can start a discussion about this topic within a group where you would like to participate.

Many of our groups include extensive discussions about treatments and therapies that are clearly considered to be alternative or complementary medicine.

We have numerous active discussions about MFR on Connect, among people interested in scar tissue release after surgery, in relieving fibromyalgia and other chronic pain and in the neuropathy group to name a few.

Are you interested in the topic in general, or to relieve a specific problem?
Sue

I have been having trouble with vestibular Migraines and was wondering if this would be an alternative way to get some relief.

Like all other treatments with migraines, the answer is "maybe"

If I were looking for MFR for migraine, first I would locate one or more trained MFR therapists near me, then contact them and ask. My sister and her daughter have also gotten some relief from acupuncture from a Doctor of Oriental Medicine.
Have you considered that option?
Sue

Thanks, I am in the process of going to see a NUCCA chiropractor. 🤞just read about MFR and thought would look into it.

Interesting that you mentioned NUCCA Chiropractic. We have been seeing one for about a year and a half now, and it has helped me a lot. For example, after half a lifetime of intermittent severe vertigo, I have had just 2 short bouts in a year. And in conjunction with my PT he has helped a great deal with my chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Good luck with finding a solution.
Sue

@pdpbob01
Hi,
You might want to try Cranial Sacral Therapy for your migraines, a therapist that is certified. I have seen a wonderful CST and she worked wonders with me. I now see a different practioner due to a move. Still works wonders.

Thank you

Thanks