by Heather Sabin Bryan PTA #15701 LMT #79159 MM #35592 | Jul 27, 2016 | Myofascial Release |
Fascia
Modern Science Finally Catching Up To John Barnes!
Modern Science is actually catching up and matching what John Barnes has been saying for over 40 years. What an accomplishment to see in one’s lifetime, history and science being re-written or written in general matching what one has known all along. My mentor never wavered in his beliefs and knowing of what he felt intuitively under his hands. John “leaned into the wind” as he refers to it and has made it is life mission to pass this gentle and authentic form of healing onto hundreds of thousands of health care practitioners like myself. We each then have dedicated to mastering the art and skill of Myofascial Release to help individuals obtain a high standard of health and live a pain-free and joyous life and heal into wholeness.
The 3 Main Researchers, Scientist and Physicians
In 2015, French hand surgeon, Dr. Jean-Claude Guimberteau, published a new book Architecture of Human Living Fascia. Using a digital, endoscopic video camera on live human tissues, Dr. Giumberteau has demonstrated the vital importance of the fascial system. His key discovery is how living matter is organized within a continuous fibrillar network and how this network permits simultaneous mobility, absorption of forces and sliding and dividing while having no effect on surrounding tissues. This beautifully photographed and illustrated book reveals our inner structures: polyhedral microvacuoles which contain liquids under pressure, the observable evidence of tensegrity , millions of fibers in a network of apparent chaos yet organized in “fractal” patterns.
At the Fascial Congress in Washington, DC in 2015, researchers revealed that sustained pressure greater than 5 minutes into the human body creates the production of Interlukin 8, the body’s natural cancer fighting agent.
Dr. Gerald Pollack, an expert in fluid dynamics, has discovered a fourth phase of water that is liquid crystalline in nature. Dr. Pollack’s work confirms that this fourth phase of water resides in the human being and is most likely found in the fascial system. Dr. Pollack supports the importance of treating the fluid aspect of the fascial system with hands-on pressure.
After 30 years of research, one of Germany’s leading scientists, Dr. Alfred Pischinger, reports that the fascial system is the environment of every cell of the human body. Of the trillions of cells in a human body, only the fascial system is capable of communicating with all of them. And it communicates at speeds millions of times faster than a human nerve cell. Not to mention all nerve cells are surrounded by fascia!
Not Just Any Form of Myofascial Release Will Do
Myofascial Release is the Broad term but that is similar to lets say “automobile”. Sure we all know and have heard of automobiles but what type of automobile do you drive or prefer to drive. This is the same for Myofascial Release. The preferred method that stands out above the rest is the John Barnes Approach to Myofascial Release. It is the definitive method and provides not only lasting results but the approach is gentle and safe, never forcing, never injuring, never causing harm. One does not learn this method by reading a book or being shown by someone other than John or one of his approved instructors. As John Barnes trained therapist we are taught to find the pain and also look elsewhere for the cause and treat that as well. We treat the whole person and assist them to heal into wholeness. Often and many times a Barnes trained therapist repeats their training as to refine their skills, and keep up to date on the latest finding as well as watch the Barnes method of Myofascial Release truly become an “alternative no more”
For More Information
For more information on myofascial release please visit https://www.mfroftampabay.com/ to find a therapist near you visit https://www.mfroftampabay.com/resources/ or contact me @ https://www.mfroftampabay.com/contact-mfr-therapist/
by Heather Sabin Bryan PTA #15701 LMT #79159 MM #35592 | Jul 5, 2016 | Myofascial Release |
Myofascial Release Treats The Whole Person
Whole Healing Myofascial Release – Healing into Wholeness with Myofascial Release
Whole healing and healing into wholeness through myofascial release is not only possible but necessary. Whole Healing beyond just the part of you that hurts, beyond that one spot. Many times in life past and present we are viewed upon and treated by the traditional medical system based upon a specific pieces or part of ourselves. We see this doctor for this symptom, that doctor for that symptom, this other doctor or therapist for this other symptom and so on and so forth. This is a very myopic view point and we ourselves are conditioned to think of ourselves as such. “My Shoulder hurts” “I have a Head-ache” Maybe they are related. or “My Right Low Back Hurts” and “My Left Knee Hurts”, Maybe there are related. They very well could be related and there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel, the horizon looks bright. In the not too distance future there is a shift occurring from the traditional approach of treating the body from myopic parts and transitioning into treating the whole person. Fortunate for me and ultimately you, the shift that is happening comes in the form of Myofascial Release and comes to you from a Barnes trained specialist like myself.
The “Golden“ Standard of Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a broad term that describes many different types of manual therapy. Through both personal and professional experience, as well as the countless success stories heard and witnessed world wide, undoubtedly the Barnes Myofascial Release approach effectively and successfully treats the whole person, heals the whole person including the symptom . The John F Barnes Myofascial Release approach as taught by John F Barnes is a hands-on soft tissue technique that facilities the movement and healing of the fascial system as a whole. The “myofascial” or “fascial” system is a continuous 3-D web of connective tissue that surrounds, infiltrates, and connects every tissue, organ, and cell of our body from head to toe, skin to spine and all areas in between. The ultimate goal of Myofascial Release (MFR) is to help release fascial restrictions (e.g. scars, tissue damage, stress, trauma, birth injuries etc.) gently and over time to allow your body to properly realign and heal naturally, thus returning you and your body to normal function, movement and sensation. Fascia’s function is to provide support and structure to the body as well as work as a bracing mechanism from injuries much like a shock absorber.
For more information on Fascia and further information as to the specifics of (MFR) please visit https://www.mfroftampabay.com/about-myofascial-release/
The Golden Missing Piece of The Puzzle
The Barnes approach to Myofascial Release is not only the Golden Standard in (MFR) but it is the Golden Missing Piece in all of traditional approaches to healthcare. Fascia is a continuous web that responds to tensions in other areas of the body. It can be difficult to visualize the impact and importance of this beautiful tissue. An easier c
comparison is a bowl of jello with pieces of fruit floating in it. Each piece of fruit within the bowl of jello represents all the various muscles, bones and organs, while the jello represents fascia. Visualize the jello being jiggled or compressed which causes the whole bowl of jello to move and be affected as well. This is just how fascia responds and because of this very fact, we as Barnes trained Myofascial Release Therapist are treating and assisting the entire system to heal. One simply cannot treat only one aspect of the body, one piece without affecting the whole system, the whole person. You are more than parts, you are so much more and deserve to be treated as a whole person, body, mind and spirit.
Fascia is as Unique as Your Finger Prints
Myofascial Release 
treats the whole person, not just the parts, not just the symptoms. Traditional healthcare identifies with parts, with pieces, with symptoms and then places “Labels” upon them and then society wants to define you, me, us accordingly. We are more than a label! By definition, a “label” aka a “diagnosis” is a term for a collection of symptoms. Many times symptoms like pain, weakness, fatigue etc are the commonality between the various “Labels”. The label is then determined by the number or type of symptoms that you present with. I don’t know but in my most humble opinion the only label that I have is either my name, my gender and my species. I am not my neck pain, my shoulder pain, my whatever “fill in the blank”. Fascia is unique just like our finger prints. We all have finger prints and there are no two finger prints alike and so is the resulting restriction that occurs when the Fascia becomes injured or in a state of dis-ease and this is where symptoms begin to manifest. We both can have shoulder pain but the cause can arise from two totally different reasons or areas within the body that have responded to an event causing distortion. Please note this is not by any means to disregards any systemic illnesses or disease processes. This is an attempt to bring back a whole person approach to treating each of us. I want us all to broaden the views of our selves and our symptoms to a more global view, a whole system vantage point. It is when we begin to see the bigger picture of ourselves and what is going on within our bodies and begin to trust what we feel on the inside verses what the label describes us as.
You do have parts and you do have symptoms but they do not define you!
I would like to examine the various symptoms that are often felt in the various parts of the body but lets first examine the word Disease. Disease is a given name or label for a collection of symptoms. Many times we have to have a certain number of symptoms in order to qualify to earn the label of a given illness or disease. Did you know that most all diseases or “Label” have the same or very similar symptoms? Each disease, ilness or “Label” then has as a specific variant or two that might distinguish it from the others. As technology advances and the minds and views of the medical community broaden, Fascia and the manner in which the body is treated is the Barnes Approach to Myofascial Release is being accept solution to treatment and is “alternative no more“. So many “Labels” and/or symptoms are effortlessly released and melted away with the gentle sustained pressure used with Myofascial Release. This fact is why a Barnes trained therapist might be releasing your hips when you in fact came for the nagging left shoulder pain. We treat the whole person, at that includes the symptoms and looking and feeling further into the fascial system for the other areas of restriction or the root cause.
Treating the Whole You
Below is just a small comparison of some known symptoms associated with some of the more common Labels, Diseases. In addition, I am not stating that you should not seek out medical advice and intervention, I am just attempting to show how treating the whole person and not just a particular symptoms is going to provide some lasting relief for the whole you. Myofascial release if nothing else provides the body a way to release stresses and strains and bring an ease to the body, mind and spirit. I have looked at the symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of function, joint aches, muscle aches, swelling, fatigue, memory/brain difficulties, bladder and bowel difficulties, stomach difficulties, vertigo, visual difficulties, sleeping difficulties, respiratory difficulties, cardiac issues, emotional changes, and difficulty with movement. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Polymyalgia, MS, and Lyme all have all if not most of the same symptomologies of each other. Myofascial Release looks beyond the label or the symptom, we look at how you and your body mind and spirit are moving and feeling and by using the techniques taught to us by my mentor and friend, John Barnes, many symptoms melt away or are certainly diminished in severity. Many times I can have any number of the symptoms above but I am without a disease, illness or label, I am simply a grateful therapist assisting others in gently finding and releasing their symptomatic fascial restrictions away.
For more information on how to see and feel Myofascial Release and its endless benefits that it has to offer and provide you, your body, mind and spirit please visit https://www.mfroftampabay.com/. For further articles of interest https://www.mfroftampabay.com/resources/
![Myofascial Pictures – Before and After]()
by Heather Sabin Bryan PTA #15701 LMT #79159 MM #35592 | Jun 18, 2016 | Myofascial Release |
Myofascial Release Pictures Shows The Results
A Myofascial Picture is Worth a Thousand Words or 2,000 pounds per square inch of Affirmation!
Disclaimer- original post was cut and pasted by myself. I originally and currently have removed the front view of myself. Myofascial Release does help to return one to optimal mobility and alignment as well as release emotional patterns and belief systems. It has taken an enormous amount of courage on my part to post actual photos of myself but I am still not ready to review what the frontal view looks like. Maybe someday but honestly anyone who knows me knows my goal and belief in being upfront and honest. With Barnes Myofascial Release there is no reason what so ever to attempt to make false claims or proven false pictures. I am just a therapist who became a patient who learned how to be a better therapist to assist my clients to actually have lasting results. With honestly, authenticity and compassion, Heather Bryan, PTA, LMT, JFB MFR Therapist.
Initial Evaluation
Myofascial pictures shows the undeniable results that are possible when treated with Myofascia
l Release and not just any form of Myofascial Release, but the John F Barnes Approach and by someone who has been trained specifically in this method. There is not another thing like it! If they break out the oil or are not waiting for the melt and the stretch of taffy, then you are not experiencing authenticity.
I was trained originally in what I thought was myofascial release in PTA school and then again in LMT school but never in a trillion years could any of those forms of it take me and my body to the level of healing that this approach has. I never knew what fascia really was. I never knew that my body looked this far off kilter. Sure I had enormous amounts of pain but I did not realize the depth of magnitude of what what causing it. I had pain in this spot or that and I just had to use as much force as humanly possibly to stretch it, pull it, twist it, rub it, traction it, pull it, ultrasound it, ice it and heat it to the point of giving myself burns (actually did). I only got worse and even to the point where it felt like my body was now attacking and squeezing the life out of me and it was!
My Desperation of Pain and Pressure
My pain was driving me to the point of madness and desperation. I was in agony, most likely depressed because I could not fix myself with what I knew how to do and had used day in and day out with my own patients and ultimately I was losing my ability to perform my job. As I was nearing time for my license renewal and in need of the required continuing education, I began to search the web for answers, help and CEUs. I quickly landed on now mentor and friend’s link to what I now know is the answer to so many issues within the body and mine was prime for a new way. However as I look at these pictures I am still in shock at the before view. I will admit that I went for my first intensive therapy for the therapist treatment in February of 2016, a little over a year and a half after my initiation into the actually way the human body works and not what a text book said it should be. See we all have fascia just like we all have finger prints and as we know that no 2 finger prints are alike and they are unique to you and me, well so is our fascia and they way in which is presents when injured. In fact I could sustain the same type of injury at 2 different times in my life and they may not affect my fascial system the same way and there for the pain pattern, restriction pattern, pattern of dysfunction would be different for each.
Finally Time for ME, My T4T ( Therapy for the Therapist)
Therapy on the Rocks
By the time I finally attended my first T4T (Therapy for the Therapist or an Intensive for a non-therapist patient as they are referred to, I had been getting treated at least monthly if not a bit more for sometime. Even though I was originally brought to this work due to my own injury, once I realized that I could myself learn to become a “Myofascial Release” therapist and provide MFR to my clients, I began to take as many classes as possible, enrolled in LMT school, did internships etc. In my mind I was justifying seeking my own treatment which felt selfish in a way when there were so many others worse of than me. Is this not true of so many of us out there that but others before ourselves? I can only shutter at the thought of what the picture would have revealed if my T4T was sooner rather than later, but the point is I took the leap. Obviously by the looks of the before picture I was already in position to take off.
Sooner Rather Than Later But Never IS NOT an Option!
Moral and point of my story is that whatever path gets each of us there to an intensive or simply onto the treatment table of a John Barnes trained therapist, make it sooner rather than later. So many therapist themselves that experience the true and authentic lasting results that are readily and easily provided to assist to healing often themselves end up becoming practitioners of this work. Hard to call it work though! I do not think in terms of should have or why didn’t I but wow thank the stars above I did. Let me give you the numbers why. On Day 1 we all have an initial evaluation. Generally speaking this is more for documentation purposed because as Barnes Myofascial Therapist we deal in Feelings and Results! So Day 1 here were some of the numbers: I was informed I was 5’5″, I am actually 5’7.5″. I was some 55 degrees forward head of my base of support (feet). After 20-21 sessions I gained back 1.4″ in vertical height, and I returned to have vertical alignment of head over shoulders, over hips over feet and still had slight forward head posture to approximately 7 to 10 degrees at most. I have full active range of motion of my left shoulder, I could walk, I even climb the rocks of Sedona, AZ, I could sneeze fully, and my pain level went to intermittent and 3 at worst. I was able to resume exercising and had my own private mobile MFR practice in the end. However this is not the end of the story for me.
Myofascial Pictures – More MFR Please
I still have work to do both personally and to provide to others professionally. Myofascial Release is about a whole way of seeing the world and our place within it. MFR teaches us how to be gentle with ourselves in all areas of life and activities we do. We do live in a world that wants to deny pain, medicate pain, cut pain out etc. MFR teaches each client who is willing and able how to self treat themselves to be more effective as well as keep cost down. I myself will always strive for getting treated sooner rather than later and will approach me activities and self care following the same principles of gentle sustained pressure, waiting and melting into a release. Just take a look at the picture again that is a representation of the most beneficial, real, gentle and lasting outcomes that myofascial release can provide not just me but you too! Did you know that the astronaut Shepard recently came back from a 2 year stay in outer space and that the news reported he gained 2 inches in verticallity back. The 2 inches came from time spent out of gravity. Gravity pulls each of us this way and that way twisting and bending us into a scrunched up postural mess. I personally witnessed the gains! I gained back almost 1.5 inches in 1 week merely with gentle sustained pressure and a few talented and gifted therapist at the treatment center. When I got into my car at the airport to go home, I had to adjust all my mirrors to the new height I had.
The Next One
My next T4T is scheduled in October of this year and I will most definitely feel the results. Due to the fact of multiple surgeries and falls, a life time of denying the pain, a life time of over stretching and forcing my tissues, and now knowing a better way and sometimes we need a helping hand, sometimes multiple hands. At a T4T there are multiple therapist at a time assisting us to release our restrictions and return us to a fluid state that is as pain-free and active as possible. Even if you cannot get to a T4T, ask your therapist if they have a way to provide a multi- therapist session for you until you yourself can make a leap if you so desire. So we all have a choice and the choice is yours to make. One aspect though is in seeking myofascial release therapy, please make sure it is given by a John Barnes therapist. You deserve the best.
To find more information on how Myofascial Release can help you or to learn how to schedule your appointment please visit https://www.mfroftampabay.com/
To find more information about an intensive therapy program visit http://www.myofascialrelease.com/treatment/patients/comprehensive-treatment.aspx
by Heather Sabin Bryan PTA #15701 LMT #79159 MM #35592 | May 31, 2016 | Myofascial Release
Healing – The Ultimate Goal
Whatever It Takes By Whatever Means Possible
Healing is the goal and how we meet that goal is doing whatever it takes to get you there! There is one tiny aspect that is bigger than life and that is authentic and ultimately lasting healing takes two people, me and YOU! On my end on the equation I need to always bring my best game and that involves not only my skill set but maintaining that skill set through personal practice, continuing to nourish my knowledge as well as staying open and being open to new and old ways as well. New ways can consist of being willing to try out new things. As I myself found this work by my own person journey and path as a patient myself, I know what feels right and what does not as well as what follows along with the principles of myofascial release. So this is where whatever it takes comes in. One aspect that my mentor John Barnes teaches all of us is to start thinking and acting from our feeling intelligence also known as intuition. So I have had this growing sense that I needed to attend a Kinesiotape class. My growing intuition did not let me down and I am now incorporating this into my tool box of providing my clients “whatever it takes” methodology and implementations. In addition I have now experimented with various brands and have personally found RockTape to be superior and even though its more expensive it works. This is not to say that everyone gets turned into a mummy because that is not within the principles as well. It is not a band-aid either, as a fellow colleague of mine likened it to taking home a set of therapy hands for a few days. Again like the Barnes method of myofascial release, you will just have to experience it to feel what all the fuss is about.
Whatever It Takes By Whatever Modes Possible
Since hea
ling is the goal and doing whatever it takes to get there, another aspect involves bringing some of my old skill set of my physical therapy training into the equation just modify it to be delivered within the myofascial principles as well. Whether it is relearning movement patterns, safely making adjustments to the home or making recommendations for better shoes, better suited treatment tools like a soft foam roller or therapy ball or what adaptations to the way in which you engage in exercise or get in and out of your car or the ergonomics of your desk at home or office, it will all come from both personal and professional experience and knowledge with what works best for you and me in regards to our fascial systems.
Whatever It Takes By Whatever Means and Modes Possible
Sometimes a massage is needed
Healing is the goal and doing so by whatever means and modes possible. This is where the old and the new come together. As I personally found myofascial release and knew professionally that it was what was needed in my career to help those of us out there that just the traditional health care model just did not work for, I found myself adding another set of letters to the end of my credential. So now my name is followed by PTA, LMT as well as business owner. Initially, I did attend massage school with the mindset of only attending to get the license but not until recently did I feel into this area and the impact that it can have. See in my former physical therapy training we did massage and the old form of myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization. I can say I never enjoyed giving or receiving it as it forced and was even painful. In massage school I learned proper body mechanics right from the start. In PTA school we learned temporary body mechanics as I call it as it was only performed and implemented mostly during transferring of patients. I also learned what a massage feels like. I am very pleased that my school focused on the basics verses attempting to instruct us on the various forms and handing us a certification classifying a 1000 different methods. My instructor believed that we then specialize through continuing education the various other forms. Yes I did come into LMT school already specializing in the John Barnes method. I initially never thought I would do a traditional massage but that is where my myofascial principles have come into play. Recently a client just did not feel up to doing myofascial release and just wanted a “regular” massage and did I know of anyone that did that? Normally I would not have bent and been open to new ways of thinking and seeing things but that day and I found myself saying, “we can do that”. It has been nearly a year since I gave a “regular” massage but it was just like riding a bike only now with better body mechanics and never forcing or plowing through the tissues of the body. Ultimately relief was achieved that day for the client and they are able to continue along their path to healing. The goal of all of this is providing lasting and authentic results and relief for the client and sometimes a traditional relaxation massage is what it takes.
Whatever It Takes On Your Part
Healing is th
e goal and my part is by providing the most current and up to date training and skills sets that I possibly can, providing them by new and old means and modes necessary to achieve the goal. Now on your part as the client, it means that you are going to have to feel. That is it, simply feel whatever it is that is occurring within your body mind and spirit. Also you will have to show up to treatment and by that I mean you have to be present and simply feel whatever is occurring or not within your body mind and spirit. Lastly you should try to perform what self care treatments that your therapists teaches you during each session but never forcing and simply by feeling what is going on in your body by using your feeling intelligence and intuition because you do have it and myofascial release helps you to feel for it. If your self-care is hurting or is too painful then its too much and too much force is being applied. I liken the self care and the application of it to the daily maintenance of brushing our teeth. We need to brush our teeth to maintain good oral health and we certainly know not to use too much force on the teeth and gums because they can begin to hurt and bleed. Well when we force the fascia either as a therapist or with self care, we are doing some form of damage to the fascia. In the case of fascia however it just causes further tightness and painful restrictions throughout the body. This is why most traditional “home exercise” programs are not performed by most because they hurt and do not work. However this is myofascial release, the Barnes method and it does not force, should not hurt and is a necessary aspect to the ultimate goal of healing with authentic lasting progressive results. Oh and one last very important item, you need to be seen by a John Barnes trained therapist that actually does myofascial release and not just banking on the name or modality. There are tons of forms of myofascial release but there is only one that stands out from the rest and that is the Barnes Methodology of Myofascial Release. There are no fancy rocks to consult or bait and switch tactics to use. There is one minor detail of course and that is you have to actually be on the schedule to begin to reach for your goal. So why not do so today if you haven’t already, why wait or delay any longer? Lets get you moving free of pain and restrictions.
Schedule Today
by Heather Sabin Bryan PTA #15701 LMT #79159 MM #35592 | May 31, 2016 | Myofascial Release
Myofascial Mobilization Never Forces, Never Injures
This is NOT authentic Myofascial Release
Myofascial Mobilization
Myofascial Mobilization has long been a part of traditional physical therapy and to some extent massage therapy as well. It was forceful, hurt and often times caused more damage than necessary as well as results being temporary. Since 2013 when I myself sustained an injury, I have been on an unintentional path to find treatments that work, with lasting results. Many times I have had to unlearn what I was taught in my formal education, which has not been easy. Once I felt and experienced the immediate results of myofascial release “The John Barnes Method” and how safe, gentle and non-forceful the approach is, I have been on a fast road of recovery, self discovery, learning, unlearning, revising and refining with each and every class I have taken. The one class which was not on my radar was “myofascial mobilization” because I thought for sure I needed no help in that regards as to mobilizing the body by any means necessary was what I was unlearning. Finally, during my own intensive treatment in February, I realized that there just might be a better way to mobilize the tissues via the Barnes method and so I signed up for the Myofascial Mobilization seminar/class. On this amazing journey that is approaching the 2 year mark, I am continually surprised and amazed by so many things that are fascial related. Well the mobilization class did not disappoint in the least bit and as a matter of fact, it has been the most gentle of all the fascial seminars I have taken to date. I chuckled to myself that while I feared the word “mobilization”, it has been yet again another myofascial experience that has further developed and softened my touch and techniques. If you are a therapist that has yet to take this course or if you are a therapist that has yet taken any of John Barnes Seminars, what are you waiting for? This is an amazing course and don’t let the name fool you. I was once of the mindset that my thirst was quenched after I graduated from college and not until I stumbled into a myofascial release seminar, did I learn how dehydrated on all levels I was. Just like the actual fluid that the body craves and needs to survive, just like the actual outcome of a myofascial release treatment which actually re-hydrates the fascial tissues of the body, these seminars leave the mind, body and spirit always thirst for information and education. I hope to always feel the thirst of knowledge and the satisfaction each class delivers. If you are interested on seeing what Myofascial Release can do for you please feel free to contact me https://www.mfroftampabay.com/contact-mfr-therapist/
If you are a therapist and interested in finding when there is a class near you please visit http://www.myofascialrelease.com/seminars/healthcare/seminar-directory/myofascial-mobilization-workshop.aspx
