FAQ:
When will I get better?
This is a common but tough question. Everyone's background, habits, and goals are different. Your issue didn't develop quickly, so healing will take time. Many people notice some improvement after the first session and a significant reduction in pain after about 5-6 sessions.
I'm seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist for my condition. Will myofascial release treatments help or slow my progress?
MFR improves the care you get from your chiropractor or physical therapist. While physical therapy focuses on the area of pain and chiropractors mainly work with bones, MFR treats your whole body. It addresses the restricted layers that can perpetuate the pain in the tissues your other healthcare providers are treating.
How will I feel after MFR?
Following your session, you will typically feel very relaxed and at ease, and you may experience an increase in energy levels, heightened awareness of your surroundings, and greater productivity that can last for several days. There can at times be some soreness experienced for a few days as we begin to unwind long-standing patterns of pain, tightness and dysfunction. It can feel like a post-exercise soreness. This is totally normal, and is non-injurious. It is simply part of the journey as our “Fascial-Voice” begins to reveal the areas we need to treat next.
I feel great and perform at my peak. How can MFR benefit me?
This is my favorite question because there is always room for improvement. MFR allows you to do what you already do well but more efficiently and with less effort. Runners and cyclists can go further, tennis players and golfers find their swings smoother, and basketball players jump higher. It is excellent for prevention “Pre-Hab” as well as when an issue already exists.
What sets MFR apart from a traditional massage?
The real benefit of Myofascial Release (MFR) lies in its results. Though gentle, MFR works deeply in the body. Fascia, the connective tissue surrounding every internal part, is made up of collagen, elastin, and a fluid component called the Ground Substance that tends to solidify after injury. Research shows that applying sustained pressure with a focused stretch, as used in the John Barnes MFR Approach, helps rehydrate the Ground Substance of the tissues. This allows for better gliding movement between tissue layers and improves fluid exchange in treated areas. Studies indicate that it takes at least 3 minutes to address the elasto-collagenous (Elastin and Collagen) aspect of fascia, with healing proteins (interleukins) increasing after this time. The effect doubles after 5 or more minutes, when the fluid Ground Substance component begins to release. This explains why MFR is effective and offers long-lasting benefits.