I just finished teaching a Foundations in Myofascial Release I in Hershey, PA this past weekend. As I interacted with many of the therapists who attended it became clear to me that Myofascial Release, as it is often taught, blends so much esoteric material into the coursework that the basics are often lost. I repeatedly heard that they just did not understand how to connect technique, evaluation, and treatment. The most important aspect of myofascial release, the “feel”, was under emphasized.
I believe that this is a shame. So much time is often spent teaching the esoteric concepts, as well as pushing future classes, that students leave myofascial release training without a clear grasp of the basics.
Having a firm grasp on a deeper model of evaluation is essential for success as a therapist, no matter the modality. The “feel” of tissue restriction is one of the most important concepts in understanding this work. Techniques are simply a means to elicit change. A thorough understanding of evaluation leads you to logical conclusions in choosing treatment. Leaving a seminar with confidence to make change, one based on logical methods of evaluation and treatment, is key to a successful training.
Myofascial Release need not be shrouded in mystery. It is an easy to learn concept that should not require many thousand of dollars of investment or buying into mystical thinking.
The purpose of this post? Challenge authority, whether traditional or not.
As for Football and Therapy…the Buffalo Bills continue to lose. I see no need to rub it in.
What mystery are you talking about? I don’t see that.
I agree with you Walt. I notice that with alot of myofascial release therapists that the “feel” is not as important when they are taught. Your classes get back to the basics of what we do and how we can have a greater impact if we focus our attention on the “feel” more than mystic side of things. It will benefit the patient as well as the therapist. Thank you for a great class in Hershey.
Lisa,
To many therapists, embracing and appreciating all aspects of Myofascial Release is exactly why they love the work, mystical sense included. Other therapists lack comfort in these mystical qualities. Many are told that they simply aren’t ready for MFR. I think this is nonsense.
Every patient does not have emotional issues that need to be exposed before they can recover. MFR can be a very simple modality. Therapists who seek simplicity are often scared off by some teachers.
John,
Thanks for hosting my seminar. It was a great group.
Walt
Walt, I agree about the feel. I’m glad I attended your course this weekend. I came away with that same perspective after a fresh course. As therapist we fall into a routine, rut, and courses like what you offer brings us back to the fundamentals and reason we love what we do. Thanks again and look forward to your next seminar.
Hi Mike,
It was nice working with you. The fundamentals are essential for success. Best of luck and hope to see you next time in Hershey.
Walt
I also would like to THANK YOU for a great seminar in Hershey. So often many of the trainings get caught up in “technical info” and the ability to intuit and feel gets lost in the translation. Working with horses on a daily basis demands that I fine tune my palpation skills and use my “horse sense” (ie intuition and feel) to try to get to the base of the discomfort or problem. I now see how incorporating MFR techniques into my practice for BOTH my horses and humans will greatly benefit ALOT of issues that present themselves as CHRONIC and may not have to be. Especially with my atheletes, when I can help to make the pain disappear and they can do more work with less effort , to them it’s like “magic” , to me it’s simply well applied MFR !
Finding the feel of restrictions and their release is essential. To me, the rest is less important. Bets of luck.
Walt
The “feel” of myofascial release, the esoteric concepts, and the visual assessment are all part of the treatment, but what I have incorporated in my treatment the last couple of years is an introspective unwinding of the client at the beginning of the treatment. What this does is to point out the area that needs the most healing and to my surprise in a number of times it directed me to an area that appeared to be OK when the client walked in. It turned out to be the area that needed to be treated first.
Walt I have not met you, but if you ever come to Florida I would love to meet you. I think you are doing a great job in the way you are approaching MFR.
David
Thanks, David. I will take you up on that offer.
Great insights! Isn’t is true that we all seem to live on the continuum from very mechanical to esoteric in our delivery of hands-0n therapy. As we learn and progress from fundamentals to the nuances of any technique our personality will manifest through our hands. The esoteric/intuitive practitioners can often overlook the plain and simple issues, and those who sculpt tissue mechanics can overlook the energy of the “driver” that steers the vehicle. It seems whichever we are we ought to look over the fence to consider the other side, while simultaneously validating and trusting our original way of being.
We all have a contribution! JC