According to the Myofascial Release Treatment Center, “[t]he John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® is considered to be the ultimate therapy that is safe, gentle and consistently effective in producing results that last.” But what is myofascia? What is Myofascial Release? And what is the John Barnes’ Approach®?
What is Myofascia?
Mayoclinic.com, states that “…myofascial tissues [are] the tough membranes that wrap, connect and support your muscles.” Basically, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, bones, nerves and organs is called fascia.
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is the act of using sustained, gentle pressure or long, stretching strokes to “…balance tissue and muscle mechanics and improve range of motion in order to relieve pain.” Myofascial release enables the release of restrictions created by the myofascia in order to eliminate pain and restore motion.
What is the John Barnes Approach®?
John F. Barnes is a physical therapist who developed myofascial release techniques to treat the entire body, not just symptoms, in order to help patients realize long-term healing. His methods and approach have been considered the top notch training to get as a physical therapist or massage therapist. He defined the technique to be a combination of gentle, sustained pressure and time. Together, time and pressure engages the barrier around our muscles and connective tissue, releasing the fascia and creating space for lymphatic fluids to flow as they should.
The theory and practice of the John Barnes’ approach is based on the following:
- Trauma, inflammatory responses, surgical procedures and injuries create myofascial restrictions. This is part of the body’s protective mechanism.
- Tensile pressures from myofascial restrictions can be up to 2,000 pounds per square inch within the body.
- Myofascial pain originates in trigger point areas of the body, however, myofascial release may need to be used over a broad area of muscle and tissue.
- Normal myofascia feels pliable and elastic, so myofascial treatment focuses on the areas that are not pliable. These areas may not be near where the pain is sensed.
- Myofascial Release should never hurt a patient however, therapeutic discomfort can happen while the body is empowered to heal. The therapist and patient are partners in the journey of healing and should always maintain constant communication about comfort, changes and release.
- The “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate. This helps to generate the “release” that results from myofascial release therapy.
- Myofascial therapy is a constant process of evaluating and re-evaluating as the body adapts and adjusts during treatment and in-between treatments.
To learn more about myofascial therapy and John Barnes’ Approach, check out these references: