I will not rescue you, for you are not powerless

I will not fix you, for you are not broken

I will not heal you, for I see you in your wholeness

I will walk with you through the darkness, as you remember your light

~Sheree Bliss Tilsley~

What is Fascia?

Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads through the body in a three dimensional web from head to toe without interruption. Fascia's role is to support, stabilize and cushion. It provides a sliding and gliding environment for muscle, suspends organs in their proper place, transmits movement from muscle to bone they are attached to, and provides a supportive and movable wrapping for nerves and blood vessels as they pass through and between muscles. Fascia also surrounds and separates every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, brain, spinal cord and organ all the way down to the cellular level. Imagine it as a three dimensional spider web or yarn in a sweater that connects and influences your entire physical structure. The fascial system influences and is influenced by every other system and function in the body and is full of life, emotions, memories and consciousness. In the normal healthy state the fascia is fully open, relaxed, flexible, heavy and has the ability to stretch and move without restrictions. In this state your whole structure is aligned, balanced, mobile and able to function at its optimal capacity.

What is Fascial Restriction?

Physical/emotional trauma, repetitive motion, poor posture, surgical procedures, scarring and inflammation dehydrates the ground substance (the fluid component of the fascial system). The fascia loses its playability, shortens and thickens, and binds down pulling the “sweater” out of its relaxed and balanced state. These restrictions can produce pressure of up to 2000 pounds per square inch on paint sensitive structures and act like a straight jacket causing your body to be out of optimal alignment, not allowing it to work properly and freely that overtime causes lack of mobility, dysfunction and pain. Fascial restrictions do not show up on standard tests such as x-ray, MRIs or CAT scans.

 

What is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Traditional medicine treats symptoms, not the root cause. Traditional and alternative therapies release only the elastic and muscular component of the Myofascial complex resulting in temporary changes. In John F. Barnes Myofascial Release method restrictions are held at the barrier for 3-5 minutes or longer. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and Piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate, “melt” and unravel myofascial restrictions, essentially removing the “straight jacket” from the system, and open up channels of communication.

What is Myofascial Unwinding?

Myofascial unwinding is a spontaneous movement of the body via the mind. It is inherent self-correcting process that helps bring bracing/holding patterns, memories, emotions or sensations into the conscious awareness and release them. All those represent past trauma and the process allows the body,mind and nervous system to learn, shift and to heal, enabling integration and wholeness. Myofascial unwinding is a wonderful way for the body-mind complex to face and correct itself and create space for healthier and positive changes.

Benefits of Myofascial Release

Improve structural and postural alignment

  • Increase flexibility and strength

  • Decrease pain

  • Increase body awareness

  • Increase ease of movement

  • Increase energy

  • Enhance quality of life

  • Feeling more balanced physically, emotionally and mentally