I shared my introductory thoughts on the new approach and direction that Foundations Seminars have taken in the December edition of this newsletter. If you would like to read this again, please click here. I’ve had the chance to share this information with a good number of therapists over the past few months at various seminars around the country and the reception has been very good. New tools are great, but new mindsets are even better. This month I wish to take you a bit farther on this journey. Please note; myofascial release need not be a difficult modality to learn, nor does changing your mindset in order to accept other theories of explanation.

So what is happening in the photo shown above? This is a treatment that I use quite regularly with my clientele who suffer with shoulder region pain and related issues. It is quite different to the form of MFR that I was taught, but I have discovered that there is more than one “true form” of myofascial release.

This stretch utilizes Dycem, a great therapy product modified for use in this setting. The Dycem concept comes from Diane Jacobs, PT, a talented colleague who taught me the principles of this work in her DermoNeuroModulation Seminar. She posits that simply by stretching the skin, we influence the superficial mechanoreceptors, which in turn influence levels of tone, etc. in the body. In many ways I feel that I am covering a lot of bases while treating in this manner. Theories abound in our field and arguments are even more common when it comes to firmly believing what we are affecting when we treat. “Fascially”, I would have said that we were taking the tightness under tension and causing it to release. The term “release” has fallen out of favor with many in the science-based community, who state that fascia lacks the potential to change in the manner as it has been described for the past few decades. “Magical Thinking” is another way this model has been described. Magical or not, skin-based or not, lightly treating from a perspective as shown above has profound effect on pain, perceived tightness, and dysfunction.

The concept might seem too simple to be effective.  Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself. While Dycem is not necessary, it does provide a marked increase in grip and sensitivity. Liquid Chalk works fine as well. Gently place your hand on the shoulder (or whatever part of the body is involved) and gently stretch the skin in any direction. You are interacting with your client, not dictating action. Note the tissue quality under your hand; can you feel general flexibility, or are there areas that feel bound down or snagged? Moving the skin in a certain direction may decrease or eliminate the pain. This is a direction to hold the skin stretch. You may also find a direction that brings your client’s awareness to the pain, while not actually increasing the feeling. This is another direction to hold the stretch. Stretch times are much like traditional MFR hold times, 3-5 minutes or more. You are waiting until you sense a change, which may be a softening, warmth, or a change in the perception of pain. Treatment easily blends with self-treatment education. Simple, right?

Can you create an entire treatment paradigm based on this information? Yes, especially if you educate yourself on how the body actually works. Is this myofascial release the way I learned it? Certainly not, this is the new myofascial release.

For Now,

Walt Fritz, PT

Author: Walt Fritz