Myofascial release FAQ's in an interview with expert level MFR therapist Elena Gournelos. The science behind myofascial release and how it can help chronic pain, PTSD, and autoimmune disorders

Myofascial release therapy provides safe, non-invasive relief of TMJ, jaw pain, clenching and grinding of the teeth, headaches and neck pain

Biomedical research supporting the use of massage and myofascial release in the treatment of cancer. Alternative and adjunct therapy for cancer

Meditation and yoga were wonderful tools for healing and growth, but they only took me so far. With myofascial release, my healing journey took a quantum leap. It was a personal revolution that changed my life forever.

John Barnes' myofascial release approach is different from any other type of therapeutic bodywork. It engages the fascia on a cellular level, producing profound levels of pain relief and healing with long term results. New scientific research supports the effectiveness of myofascial release.

Myofascial release can provide a profound level of hope and physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for cancer patients. Myofascial release can help ease pain, improve body function, and possibly prolong life,

There are many causes of fatigue, including stress, anxiety, and depression as well as conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and auto-immune disorders. Often, the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are sub-clinical, which means they cannot be detected by standard medical tests. Myofascial release and cranial work can be very helpful in all these situations. Either as a stand-alone therapy or part of a larger treatment plan, myofascial release and cranial work help relax, rejuvenate, and energize the body, mind and spirit on a very deep level.

Many cases of foot pain, including plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, may not actually originate in the feet. Often, there are fascial restrictions present in other parts of the body (such as the legs, pelvis, and cranium) which are the real culprit. These fascial restrictions create tension in the body's matrix of connective tissue which is ultimately transferred all the way down to the feet, causing pain and discomfort. Myofascial release and cranial work are effective ways to release the extra tension in the body, freeing the feet from their extra burden and eliminating pain.

Surgery is a big decision.  Considering all your options can be overwhelming, especially if you are experiencing significant pain and discomfort.  Perhaps you've tried other therapies such as physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic, but with limited success, and you feel like there are no other options available to you.  

Don't despair!  Myofascial release often succeeds where other therapies fail.   And you don't have to abandon your current doctor, therapist or chiropractor to reap the benefits.

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Why is the myofascial release approach so important?  Myofascial release, especially when combined with cranial work, acts on a cellular level to release restrictions in the body that other therapies aren't able to address.   Fascia is a matrix of connective tissue that is present everywhere in your body, surrounding and connecting every cell.  It does not appear in X-rays, MRIs, or any other standard medical test.  However, when fascia gets restricted, it can wreak havoc inside your body.

Fascial restrictions have a tensile strength of 2000 lbs per square inch, and they can exert a lot of force on surrounding muscles, joints, and even internal organs, causing severe pain and dysfunction.  Releasing these restrictions releases the pressure safely and naturally,returning your entire body to a fluid and responsive state.  The result?  Less pain, better functioning, and a healthier body.

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So do you really need surgery?  Maybe, maybe not.  Myofascial release may be able to alleviate your symptoms and spare you the significant risk, expense, and inconvenience of surgery.  And if you do decide to go under the knife, myofascial release can be used both before and after surgery to promote healing.  Addressing restrictions in the connective tissue before the procedure may make your surgeon's job easier and decrease the risk of complications.  Myofascial release after surgery may decrease the amount a scar tissue formed and speed up recovery time.

In fact, myofascial release can even act synergistically to enhance the effects of other therapies.   Because it never works in opposition to the body, combining myofascial release with chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, or physical therapy can be a powerful approach to healing.  When the fascia has been released, chiropractic adjustments hold longer, energy flows more easily through the body, yoga becomes easier, and physical therapy becomes more effective.  

So whether you choose to use myofascial release alone or in combination with surgery or other therapies, the benefits are immense, both for your body and your spirit.  The sooner you are able to get back to living fully the better!