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What is MFR?
MFR (myofascial release) is a hands on approach for the evaluation and treatment of the whole body. Its focus is on the fascial system, which is a three dimensional web that covers everything in our bodies, right down to the cellular level. It is a bodystocking that holds our muscles, ligaments, etc., together. MFR incorporates hands on techniques that trace the pathways of pain to locate the origin site of injury or trauma. Sometimes these are one and the same, but at others they are not. For instance, you could injure your back lifting something heavy, and you would feel the pain at exactly the place where you felt it "give." Another time you might injure your back, and while you might feel some pain or discomfort there, you might feel even more in your neck and shoulders. This could lead you to believe that you injured your neck, and some other forms of treatment would focus on your neck. However, a massage therapist using MFR techniques would follow the pathway of pain, and locate the true site of injury, which in this case would be your back.
Many times we tend to treat the symptoms of injury, rather than treating the location, or the injury itself. MFR utilizes gentle stretching and pressure to help smooth out the fascia that is bound down by the injury or trauma, returning it to its original state as much as possible. This allows the energy in the body to once again flow freely, and decreases pain. Once pain is decreased there is a greater chance for relaxation, and the opportunity for healthy healing to occur.
Why should I get a therapeutic massage?
Trauma to the body tends to make the fascia become inflexible, much like gristle in meat. It is no longer able to communicate with nerve and muscle tissue. Restrictions or tightness in the fascial system result in decreased range of motion, inflammation, injury, and pain. It is possible for these restrictions to exert up to 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. Ouch! A therapeutic massage can help to smooth out fascial restrictions, allowing the nerves and muscle tissues to communicate appropriately again. Once the tissues communicate appropriately, pain levels should decrease. We tend to relax more when we are not in pain. So, getting a therapeutic massage can help you to relax better, move better, and feel better.
How is therapeutic massage different than what I've already done?
Therapeutic massage values the whole patient, and not just his/her separate body parts or systems. The belief is that all parts of our bodies are connected. If an injury happens to one part, then chances are another part will be affected also. Think about how much your feet hurt when you hurt your back, or the headache you get when you strain your neck. Therapeutic massage is not just a "feel good" massage. The real roots of your problems will be gotten to, to create a lasting effect.
I'm seeing a chiropractor. Should I stop?
No. Therapeutic massage is not meant to replace other therapies, but to enhance them. As the chiropractor helps to get your bones back in place, a therapeutic massage can help to keep your soft tissues (muscles, etc.) flexible, so your bones aren't constantly being pulled back out of place.
How can emotional trauma affect me physically?
When our bodies experience trauma the memory of that trauma is held within our cells, within the very fiber of our being. Think about touching a stove as a young child. You didn't have to touch it twice to remember how the heat felt, and you can, even now, easily recall the pain. The pain from accidents and injuries can be easily recalled also, and if the site hasn't healed we will feel real pain.
The same is true for emotional trauma. The old children's rhyme, "Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but names will never harm me," is just not true. Emotional pain is as real, and sometimes even more painful, than physical pain. When we are insulted, abused in some manner, experience loss, or have other emotionally impacting things happen to us we feel it in our gut, our head hurts, our throats tighten up. We can't quite point to an injury, but we hurt, and we hurt a lot.
Many times, in the name of survival, we bury those memories and pains. As adults we are encouraged to cope, to get over it, to move on with our lives. Our bodies, however, have stored those emotional memories, and the pain is just begging to get out; to be released. We experience the pain in the form of headaches, backaches, chest pains, constant tension, and other uncomfortable ways. A therapeutic massage can help your body release those memories, and free you from the pain.
What types of conditions are treated with therapeutic massage?
Therapeutic massage is very useful in treating many different types of conditions. If you suffer from any of the following, then a therapeutic massage may be right for you: (a therapeutic massage is NOT recommended for any broken bones or fractures) Back problems, including sprains, strains, and previous injuries that keep haunting you.
• TMJ
• Migraine Headaches
• Tension Headaches
• Fybromyalgia
• Past physical or emotional abuse
• Cancer (for relaxation)
• AIDS (for relaxation)
• Sports injuries
• Foot problems
• Digestive problems
• Every day aches and pains
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