Many times in the past I’ve marveled at a blind person’s ability to read Braille. I’ve passed my fingers over the raised characters many times while waiting for an elevator, etc., and wondered how a person can develop the sensitivity to distinguish those small dots to create meaning. Then, this morning, I was working with… Continue Reading
The Hook Into The Feel
One of my latest blog posts on “The Feel” generated quite a bit of interest. This is flattering, but not surprising, as I truly feel that teaching the Feel of soft tissue restriction is a lost art, one that is not covered in most schools or continuing education. But the connection that you make with… Continue Reading
The Feel
What is the most important aspect of being a successful myofascial release therapist? To me, it is developing the “feel”. But what is the feel? From the first technique that I introduce to therapists at my seminars, I begin to coach them into moving into the body in a curious fashion. Gently apply pressure until… Continue Reading
The Voice
As a physical therapist who specializes in relieving pain, I have a dual listing in the Yellow Pages. One is listed under the heading “Physical Therapist” and the other under “Pain Management”. I long ago stopped paying for the larger box-type Yellow Page listings,as they never paid off. But the dual listing is free, so… Continue Reading
Energy Medicine
When James Oschman’s book “Energy Medicine” came out in 2000, there was a great deal of attention paid within the Myofascial Release community as I knew it then. Why the attention? It cited Myofascial Release and provided “scientific” explanations for emotions being held within the collagen/connective tissue. For those strapped for proof of what they… Continue Reading
Fear
I’ve been actively teaching my Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars for about four years. They started as local classes, Rochester, NY, and have slowly spread across the country. My emphasis has always been on quality trainings in a small group setting. Apparently this approach has raised some fear in others. I’ve taught two seminars in… Continue Reading
Knuckle Cracking and Bad Science
I came across a research article this week that dispelled a few myths. The article was entitled “Knuckle Cracking and Hand Osteoarthritis” and was published recently in the The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. What this article found was that, despite what our mothers have been saying, chronic knuckle cracking does not… Continue Reading
Myofascial Release and the Disconnect from the Physical Therapy Community
I am a physical therapist, though my job is unlike most physical therapists’. Myofascial Release (MFR) has been a modality approved by the medical community and insurance companies for many years. At one time it even had it’s own CPT code. So why are so few physical therapists drawn to this work? When I started… Continue Reading
Upcoming Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars
I have added a number of new cities to the schedule: Foundations in Myofascial Release I Seminar Hershey, Pennsylvania: August 12-14, 2011 Albuquerque, New Mexico: October 7-9, 2011 St. Louis, Missouri: October 14-16, 2011 Canton, Ohio: November 10-12, 2011 Dallas, Texas: March 9-11, 2012 Foundations in Myofascial Release II Seminar Rochester, NY: September 23-25, 2011… Continue Reading
Patterns, Trends, and Treatment
This is part one of what will be a continuing series of posts. Myofascial Release (MFR) has typically been categorized as a completely spontaneous exploration of the connection between symptoms and cause. Assess the entire body to gather information and never pre-judge. I was taught that if you think you know what you are doing… Continue Reading
Touch, Pressure, and Meeting the Pain
One topic which keeps repeating itself, whether I am treating or teaching, is what is the “right” amount of pressure? Myofascial Release is performed with great variations in pressure and depth, with the therapist making in-the-moment decisions as to the correct pressure at any time. Some schools of Myofascial Release (MFR) claim that they are… Continue Reading
Kicking the Pebble
Kicking the Pebble is a oft-used metaphor for starting a change in behavior or action. I was reminded of this through an excellent blog post by Doug O’Brien, which was sent to my friend Kathy Silva-Tanguay. Kathy is an advanced Myofascial Release Therapist practicing on Cape Cod. This metaphor is effectively used to describe many… Continue Reading
Protocols and Cookbooks
The use of protocols has gotten a bad rap in some areas of Myofascial Release. “Cookbook Therapy” it is often called. Certainly following a strictly defined treatment plan is out of line with most forms of MFR, but don’t we all follow certain protocols? Each individual that comes into my treatment room is approached differently.… Continue Reading
More Myobilization: Why do we feel we need to work so aggressively?
Invasive methods of intervention have always been a part of various types of body work, physical therapy, and massage therapy. Whether it is termed deep tissue massage, soft tissue mobilization, or one of many other variants, the principle is the same. Manually and forcefully break up tightness of the soft tissue. Many clients crave this… Continue Reading
Do You Love Your Job?
Do you? I know that I do. I love that I am reasonably certain that I can improve a person’s pain. Not everyone (anyone who says they can is not being honest), but most. I love coming into my office each day and helping. I have an amazing caseload that changes weekly. There is always… Continue Reading
On The Road and Success
I am in the middle of a short road trip, teaching my Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars in Canton, Ohio and Tucson, Arizona. I have been thinking recently; what makes a seminar successful? To me, being able to interact, one on one, with the students in my class makes it a success. My passion for… Continue Reading
