Three Questions

I realized today that I had dedicated my blog to my study of Myofascial Release and I’ve never really told you what any of that is.  Well here in my words are the answers to these three questions:

·      What is a JFB-MFR Specialist? 

·      Where does the pain come from?

·      How is JFB-MFR different?

(In a nutshell therapists using this method work with people wishing to rid themselves of chronic pain. For more info, read on).

What is a JFB-MFR Specialist? 

“JFB” stands for John F. Barnes, the physical therapist who has perfected full body hands on techniques over the last 50 years.  “MFR” stands for Myofascial Release.  In Doctor-speak “myo” is muscle.  And “fascia” is connective tissue in our bodies.  A JFB-MFR Specialist works using techniques learned from John F. Barnes to release the connective tissue associated with the body’s muscles.  These techniques assist people to resolve issues with chronic pain.

Where does the pain come from?

According to Merriam-Webster fascia is “a sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures.” In addition to covering structures more recent discoveries show that fascia is a three dimensional web that runs throughout our bodies.  It not only holds muscles together it actually provides the overall structure and the communication highway for our cells to talk to each other which is necessary for our bodies to function. 

One example of fascia is if you have ever picked up a piece of raw, skinless chicken breast.  Remember the white and yellowish materials that were attached to it?  The yellow was fat but the white material, that’s fascia.  Did you notice how the fascia surrounded the chicken breast holding it into its shape?  Well the fascia, since it is a three dimensional web, also penetrates through the chicken breast.  In fact fascia surrounds each and every muscle cell, nerve cell, and blood vessel in that chicken breast and in our bodies as well.

Now when fascia is at its best it is full of fluid and has a slippery quality and feel to it.  Remember that chicken breast experience?  That slippery, slimy white stuff was actually good healthy fascia and was designed that way so that we can move and yet be held together.   Look at the top of your hand as you make a fist and notice how the tendons for each finger move and slide around underneath your skin.

The problem our bodies encounter is fascial-restriction.  This is an area of fascia that through trauma, repetitive motion or repetitive positioning (injury, surgery, daily lifting, daily sitting) is now hard and restricted.   Think of scar tissue.  This restriction instead of being filled with fluid and sliding over and between our cells is now hard and immoveable, exerting up to 2,000 pounds of tension per square inch. This force from a restriction can actually crush nerves or blood vessels causing pain or system dysfunction. Because the fascial system is an interconnected web from the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet, over time these restrictions can tighten even more spreading pain and dysfunction throughout our body.

How is JFB-MFR different than other forms of Myofascial bodywork?

It is important to note that myofascial restrictions cannot be located utilizing any of our current medical imaging processes or machines.  It is only through being trained and treated that a skilled JFB-MFR therapist can locate these restrictions.  A treatment involves engaging the myofascial barrier and then allowing the restriction to release.  This release process takes from 4 to 7 minutes per location at a minimum.  Anything less only provides temporary relief and is not allowing the tissue to make a permanent change.  Therapists are taught to let the body release naturally and to not force it.  This does not mean that the release will not be painful but the patient has complete control over the amount of therapeutic pain they are willing to experience in order to effect their healing.