| Walt Fritz, PT
The Pain Relief Center
Rochester, NY |
Visit the Pain Relief Center |
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Welcome to the MFRmail Newsletter. |
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Myofascial Release News
Eric Webb, BA, LMT has this month's highlighted website. I really liked how Eric explained fascial theory in a very approachable and understandable manner. Check out his website at: www.AustinMFR.com
My MFRmail Newsletter has evolved from a very small initial readership to the present much large rone, and I would like to welcome all new subscribers. While most of you are practitioners of some sort, a good number of MFR clients and interested "others" have signed on. I welcome anyone to the Newsletter, as there is much good information for all. I recently received an e-mail that I would like to share:
Walt,
I just really wanted to thank you for assembling all of the research for us! I recently needed to write an appeal letter to an auto insurance company and wish that there were more sites like yours where I could peruse research justifying MFR.
Best Wishes,
Heather McWilliams, MS, PT
Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Research
Some months I come across many references to MFR in the scientific literature. This past month I've been busy reading through some intriguing papers on the neurobiological aspects of pain and how they can relate to the work we do. Some of you may be aware of Robert Scheip, noted fascial researcher. I had an opportunity to ask him recently what he thought the chances that new research will confirm within the scientific community whether Myofascial Release can be explained from a mechanical/fascial perspective. He answered that he felt that there is a 70% chance that it will be explained from a neurobiological perspective, not from a fascial/mechanical perspective. This stands in complete conflict with the scientific rationales that I was taught. So, I've been reading up on the newest (and older) research on SomaSimple.com. They have a huge wealth of full access research articles that are available free to members. Signing on is free, but there is a catch: You must have posted at least 10 posts and be e member for one month before they will allow you to access the archive of research. This is a small "price" to pay. Go to learn, not to convert them (read a bit on the open part of the forum and you will see what I mean). We've been told that science may never catch up with MFR...maybe it has already! We just have to be open for other explanations.
Check them out at:
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Refer a Friend!
Last month I held a contest for those of you who referred a friend to the MFRmail Newsletter. The response was tremendous! The winner of the Occipital Pivot is Kathleen Silva-Tanguay, LMT, from Harwich, MA. Thank you for all of your referrals. I always appreciate new subscribers, so keep them coming. We will repeat the contest in the future.
To refer a friend, simply click on the "Forward e-mail" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Bodyworkonline.com
BodyworkOnline.com is a great forum for bodyworkers and the public. There is a section devoted entirely to Myofascial Release where we field a wide variety of questions and situations, including techniques, ethics, marketing, and education. Any viewpoint is welcome, so stop by to browse or to say hello.
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Myofascial Release Practitioner Directory
The Directory continues to draw clients to MFR therapists around the country. Very affordable and searchable from all major search engines and fueled by Google AdWords, thousands of potential clients have been drawn to the Myofascial Release Practitioner Directory.
Note: Directory members can now submit a photo and/or logo to me for inclusion onto the directory. Most formats are acceptable, so e-mail me your photo and/or logo to highlight your practice.
Spend your advertising dollars wisely without compromising quality and visibility. The cost is only $40 per year, almost one-tenth the cost of other MFR directories. Find out more about the Myofascial Release Practitioner Directory here.
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MFR Treatment Tip
This month's Tip is a printable PDF of a great release techniques for the hip and back. Check it out at the Archives page of my website:
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An Editorial:
I have received wonderful feedback from many of you for the editorial that I wrote last month (see below). Calling into question what we have been taught at any aspect of our careers is important. I have made so many changes along different paths over my career as a physical therapist. All of those questions and path re-directions have brought me to a place where I am truly happy as a therapist and person. If we accept what we have been taught without questioning, what have we learned?
A recent thread on Somasimple.com, regarding our place as bodyworkers in dealing with our client's emotions, is a perfect example. Apparently things that I have said on that site are viewed as a threat to others; that I was speaking derogatory about a certain type of work. If you read through the thread, we have an obligation to ourselves as well as to our clients to act in an ethical manner. Our training as bodyworkers allows us to do certain things, but draws a line at others. Myofascial Release is a powerful tool to help our patients uncover their true selves. Voicing my concerns is not derogatory in any fashion. If we cannot voice our concerns, if it does not fit within a narrow framework of beliefs, then we are not being true to ourselves.
Your comments are welcome.
"Real" Myofascial Release?
An Editorial
When I was learning MFR, I heard a great deal about what was "real" MFR and what was not. What was "real" seemed to depend on who was teaching it, as each teacher felt that what they taught was the only genuine way to perform the work. The way I was taught, that method was only effective if done as taught. Period. All other ways were less effective. Today, I have the benefit of time and space away from the manner and teaching from which I learned. This all seems rather foolish. Effective work is just that; effective work. There are many modalities that have profound effects, as there are different ways in which one performs MFR.
Why am I making this statement? It seems that ever since I left (actually was removed!) from the MFR community from which I both learned and instructed, I have been accused of teaching and practicing a different form of MFR; that I am taking it in another direction. Maybe I am. There have been criticisms regarding the home treatment stretches and releases that I have shared with you on my Myofascial Release Treatment Tips. The claim is that they are not "real" Myofascial Release". I leave that up to you to decide. My clients have benefited greatly from these and, based on the feedback I've gotten over the past few years, so have many of you. Claiming that only one form of MFR is real or the best, is one way to keep people loyal. You decide for yourself.
Walt |
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I have scheduled two Myofascial Release seminars for this year:
Foundations in Myofascial Release Two™
Head, Neck, and Upper Body Seminar
May 16-17, 2009 Rochester, NY
Sponsored by the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage (OSTM)
302 North Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14607
This 15 hour, two-day seminar will cover wide ranging areas, including:
Cervical Spine - anterior and posterior treatment
Throat/Swallowing/Tongue issues
TemporalMandibular Joint and Related.
Eye Treatment - New and effective techniques for improving eye tracking and eye pain
Upper Extremity, Upper Trunk, and Shoulder treatment
This seminar can be taken as an entry level class. Experienced therapists will benefit from the reinforcement of basic material. Sign up through the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage's website. NCBTMB CE Hours provided, NYS Society for Continuing Education in Physical Therapy CE Hours applied for.
Foundations in Myofascial Release One™
August 14-15, 2009 Cape Cod, MA
at the 1867 West Dennis Graded Schoolhouse
67 School Street, West Dennis, MA
This 15 hour, two day seminar will provide a solid base for the practice of Myofascial Release. You will gain the ability to evaluate and treat effectively utilizing Myofascial Release, including Myomobilization™. This class is not simply a re-hash of other MFR training. You will learn fresh perspectives, without the baggage. Learn to feel deeply into the body to sense what might be holding your clients back. NCBTMB and NYS Society for Continuing Education in Physical Therapy CE Hours applied for.
For additional information, please go to my website.
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Books, Music, and Treatment Tools
For those of you who are new to the MFRmail Newsletter, I have made available a wide variety of MFR related products on my website. Included are some of my favorite treatment music, pertinent books, as well as a host of treatment tools and devices.
Please take a few minutes to read about Jill Stedronsky Morton and Brenda Pardy's book, "Myofascial Stretching". My client's have greatly benefited from this book and it can be a powerful companion to the work that you do.
You can take a look at:
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If you find this newsletter helpful, please share it with your friends; use the "Forward" link (below). As always, if you have any comments, please let me know. See above for how to win an Occipital Pivot for referring a friend.
Sincerely,
Walt Fritz, PT
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Walt Fritz, PT
MFRmail Newsletter |
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