What was your result with myofascial release therapy? What to expect?

@ken82 I'm glad to hear that you will be doing some myofascial release therapy. This therapy has helped me tremendously. Can you tell me what department or doctor at Mayo is recommending this to you and where you will be seen there? I wasn't aware that Mayo was doing this and I'd like to learn more.

I see you are a spine surgery patient and I am too. I had a cervical fusion and also have thoracic outlet syndrome or TOS. Sometimes I find myself with muscle spasms causing me not to be able to turn my head and I use what I have learned from my physical therapist to help myself when she isn't able to see me. Once you learn how this works, and you develop body awareness so you can feel when the fascia begins to move with stretching, you'll be able to figure out ways to help yourself because you can find the tight areas. Starting this when your muscles are locked with tightness may be a bit confusing and you may not develop the awareness until you work through several layers of tight fascia. We all have patterns of tightness from injuries, surgeries, scar tissue or our habits and posture that limit movement.

There is a lot of information collected in our discussion,
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
The first pages in the discussion have a lot of information links and videos of John Barnes treating a patient. He developed this therapy. The key to success is to go slowly so you don't tear the fascia with aggressive stretching because that will just create more scar tissue and compound the problem you are trying to solve.

I'd love to hear more about your provider at Mayo who is recommending this to you! Please also keep in touch and share your progress. I think this will help a lot and I am excited for you!

@jenniferhunter ... I had all of my appointments about this cervical pain in the neck through the Spine Center .. neurologist, surgeon, then a phone call with a neurologist specializing in Radio Frequency ablation (nerve trimming), .. and she, after looking at all my x-rays, MRIs and other nerve conductivity tests ... These offices were in the Mayo and Gonda buildings... recommended the Myofascial release treatment as the first step to relief.. a Dr. Hardesty.. who trained initially as a Chiropractor.. but has retrained to do the MFR treatment.. she assured me that he was not going to do the typical Chiropractic bone crunching... I'm going to Rochester Sept 7 for that treatment.. and that day cannot come soon enough..Ken

@ken82 Ken, I looked him up and found his profile. He is in Spine Care and Physical Medicine & Rehab Departments.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/hardesty-kevin-g-d-c/bio-20534834
With myofascial release, it is a hands on with your therapist who will find your patterns of tension, press into them and push up against the barrier. It is like kneading bread dough, but they stop and hold pressure against the tension and just wait for it to unwind. That may take several minutes and longer in your first ever session. I know I feel the fascia start to slide in a couple minutes. The fascia is actually reorganizing because it changes from a semi solid to a somewhat liquid consistency and moves like stretching a spider web. When fascia is stuck and dehydrated, it is holding onto waste products that get flushed out with movement.

Thank you for the information.

Hi @ken82 - I modified the title of your discussion slightly to say "What is your result with myofascial release therapy? What to expect?"

@jenniferhunter suggested a good discussion to read through in the neuropathy group on myofascial release therapy.

@ken82, was there something that triggered your injuries, or is it just something that happened over time?

@JustinMcClanahan @Jennifer hunter
My cervical spine area has given me problems since 2002 or so.. my spine surgeon in Oklahoma City prescribed the use of a cervical traction device which I used 3days a week for 20 minutes or so. But now in 2023 the traction device didn't give the usual relief .. during my search for relief of tingling down limbs. . I took physical therapy, had an epidural ... had MRIs, x-rays, nerve tests that noted the problem area at C6.. talked to local spine surgeon .. then went to Mayo MN Spine Center.. so here I am seeking relief...

@ken82, I'd like to invite a few more members to share their experience with myofascial release therapy: @kjs1964, @irishlady1974 and @jenatsky to share their results from this treatment.

A car accident triggered me into fibromyalgia over 40 years ago. The “treatment “ then was to have me see a psychologist and take lots of Ibuprofen. Neither worked-I stay far away from most drugs. I am getting myofascial therapy once a week. It is great. I have chronic pain and bone on bone knees from being too long on steroids for Crohn’s. Add in recent diagnosis of heart failure. I could fill in a page of autoimmune diseases but won’t. The latest seems to be constipation. I take Benefiber at night per Gastro doc but I’ve been eating a few dried prunes on my own. I’m always somewhere between soft loose bowels or marbles. Feeling bloated and gassy . Going to try adding more water-not very good at that. Maybe try 2 Benefiber a day as I can’t tolerate many vegetables even cooked or peeled. Cramps and diarrhea. I take multiple supplements and my bloodwork is always good. In remission with Crohn’s taking Humira every 2 weeks.
The Myofascial Therapy has been a blessing mentally and physically. Even my knees feel better -also bought new shoes and had inserts added so back feels better and feet. I’ll try anything to alleviate my chronic pain except more drugs. I’m saving them for when I can’t control the pain anymore. Hopefully, by then, if I need drugs, I’ll be able to get along with smaller dosages to be able to stay coherent. These chronic conditions are challenging and really distort living. I pray, too, and know it helps. Don’t be shy in asking trusted others to pray for you and you pray for others. I try to stay mentally engaged in living my best life in spite of 24/7 pain. It took several years before I convinced my rheumatologist to prescribe Myofascial Therapy. Prior to that , I had experienced relief from it 40 years ago but no one listened to me as I asked for it repeatedly. Finally! I know others are using a variety of drugs and it works for them-great. Myofascial Therapy is a hands on blessing for me. I do have a low dose “pain” pill as a back up for sleep. I may take 1-2 a month. Some months not at all. So, do what works for you and I appreciate everyone’s input. It helps not to feel alone.

I agree that myofascial therapy can be a good thing but only if it’s done correctly. Many years ago I had therapy for my back and myofascial release was part of it. It was wonderful help. We moved and I again had physical therapy. This therapist worked so hard that it was painful. The next morning my husband asked what I did as I had a HUGE bruise on my lower back. When I had my next therapy appointment I asked not to have that therapist. Not all therapists are skilled in this area.