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
Suboccipital Release…Simplified
As a therapist new to Myofascial Release, one of the greatest physical challenges I recall was my lacking the ability to hold the necessary finger position for a sub-occipital release. At first, I could hold the extended finger position for about a minute at best. Over time, my fingers strengthened and I had less difficulty.… Continue Reading
Intuition
intuition –noun 1. direct perception of truth, fact, etc., independent of any reasoning process; immediate apprehension. 2. a fact, truth, etc., perceived in this way. 3. a keen and quick insight. 4. the quality or ability of having such direct perception or quick insight. 5. Philosophy . a. an immediate cognition of an object not… Continue Reading
Wipe Out
This post has nothing to do with the Surfari’s song, I just happen to love it. How many times have you seen a client for a follow up visit and they tell you that they were completely wiped out after their last session? It happens often enough at my clinic that I try to warn… Continue Reading
Myofascial Release and Mental Health Therapy
Whether you are a believer or not, many types of bodywork, Myofascial Release included, often tap into emotional issues with clients. This was a tenant of my MFR training, though I have many issues with this. I know that I, as a physical therapist, am not trained, licensed, or equipped to deal with a person’s… Continue Reading
Butterflies
I’m writing this post as I wait for a new client to walk in the door. There was a time when the prospect of a new client, with a new problem, would send me into a bit of a panic. Those were the days when I was new to Myofascial Release. As a physical therapist,… Continue Reading
Post Mastectomy Myofascial Release
The Myofascial Release that I practice and teach has great benefit for post-mastectomy/lumpectomy pain, tightness, and limitation of motion. Post-surgical scarring, both external and internal, can create tremendous pressure and tightness on the chest wall, but can also extend into the arms, abdomen, and respiration. While injections can reduce localized pain, scar density is not… Continue Reading
Thanks
As always, I’m a bit late. I’ve gotten quite better about being on time for meetings, appointments, etc, but things like this just slip by. I can’t think of a better life than to go to work each day doing what I love so much. For this I am grateful. My clients keep me interested… Continue Reading
Garbage Man
This morning, as I was driving to work, I passed a garbage truck. The guy hanging off of the back of the truck brought me back about 40 plus years to when my goal in life was to be that guy. There was something so daring about being able to ride through the streets hanging… Continue Reading
Too Structural (Football and Therapy Returns)
How can a therapist be “too structural”? I had abandoned the Buffalo Bills a few weeks back. Too many losses got boring to write about. But, they are back; two wins in a row. Plugging it out can pay off. Plugging it out, as a body worker, can pay similar dividends. You may have different… Continue Reading
Migratory Fascia Syndrome
I have spent the past two days with Peter Lelean, an Australian MT, who came to Rochester to pass along some very interesting and important information. Fresh from the 7th Interdisciplinary Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Conference in Los Angeles, where he had a poster presentation on this material, Peter introduced me to… Continue Reading
Get a Grip
At each seminar I teach, I bring along my chalk ball. A therapist told me about this a few years ago and I think it has been one of the biggest assets to me as a therapist in quite a long time. Early on in each class, I mention the chalk ball and I see… Continue Reading
