Those of you who have read my blog posts over the past few months may have noticed that I've spent more time talking about the "Feel". The past year has been a good one for the  Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars and the feedback I've gotten has led me to a few observations and conclusions:

1. Not every therapist is drawn to the esoteric and hyperbole when it comes to myofascial release. Many wish to learn MFR simply because it is a powerful modality. Those are the voices to whom I've been listening. They are not seeking a guru, they only want to learn.

2. Therapists trained through other teachers often lack some basic skills. This may be due to large seminar class sizes in other schools leave out the individualized attention. This most basic skill I've seen lacking is the "Feel": what fascial restriction feels like under their hands and, just as importantly, connecting this feeling to their patient's pain.

3. Certain adages, such as "find the pain, look elsewhere for the cause", are not always true, as there are many times when the problem is exactly where the pain is felt.

The "Feel" is that felt sense under your hand(s) that connects you with your patient's pain. It is that hard, dense, ropy area that feels vastly different than the surrounding tissue. When you gently apply additional pressure, your patient feeds back that they are sensing their pain. It is a simple feedback loop that has been omitted from much myofascial release training. Without it, you are never connecting with a barrier that matters.

Unwinding gets a lot of attention (see #1) and can be a powerful adjunct to MFR. What concerns me are therapists who use unwinding as the ultimate goal or measure of success. It is a shame, because they missed so much in their attempt to get their patient to unwind. Despite what you've been taught, people do not necessarily need to unwind in order to achieve full resolution of their pain. Concentrate on developing the sense of "Feel". Everything else falls nicely into place after this.

Foundations Seminars are dedicated to providing quality small group setting continuing education workshops. Using a sponsorship model has brought seminars to smaller cities that are typically skipped by the larger companies. If you have an interest in bringing a Foundations Seminar to your town, I would love to talk.

Seminar sponsoring brings attention to your practice and allows you to build a reputation in your community. Also, you will share a percentage of the registration fees and attend the seminar for free.

If you would like more information, refer to this page of the website, then email me or call at 585-244-6180.

I started the MFRmail Newsletter in early 2006. I remember it clearly, as starting this newsletter was one of the reasons I was kicked out of that other MFR group. (That's another story!) From the beginning I've written MFR Treatment Tips and Self-Treatment Tips simply as a way to pass along things that I have learned. Most are written in PDF format and are legally reproducible by you to use in your practice. Here is what has been produced for you thus far:

To access any of the above, please go to the Archives Page of the website.

 Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars has been chosen to present at the 2013 World Massage Conference (August 4-7, 2013 in Long Beach, CA). Join us aboard the Queen Mary!   

The Research Page of the website grows monthly. Currently there are 259 research citations, some of which are full text articles. Content varies from specific research relating to myofascial release, while others span the globe of information related to bodywork in general. If there is an article out there that you would like to see posted, please let me know.

 

Why would you choose to be mentored at my clinic, vs. other programs? The Myofascial Mentoring Program is especially tailored to refine and deepen the sense of "Feel", which is the important aspect of the Foundations approach. Break down the barriers that are holding you back in the treatment room. You will share in the experience of actual day-to-day treatment, with plenty of time to work through your own goals and objectives.

Contact us for more details.

 

 

Treatment and self-treatment tools, books, music, DVD's and more...including Liquid Chalk; check it out!

 

Let's face it, the internet has become the primary place that prospective clients search for caregivers. If you do not have some sort of presence on the internet, you are losing the battle. I've spoken in the past about how Yellow Page-type advertising seldom pays off, especially when internet marketing can be so inexpensive, but far reaching.

Placing your practice listing on the Myofascial Release and Bodyworker Practitioner Directory is not only a smart move, but a highly effective one. Bucking the trend that many listing sites have set, the Directory is free of charge. Why would I do this? First off, I believe in spreading the word of the good work that we all do. Second, I believe that existing directory sites take advantage of therapists by charging them huge amounts of money every year. And, third, practice listings bring more traffic to my website, which is the point of all of this, correct?

If you choose to make the smart marketing move, you can download the Directory application here and email it to us.

MFRmail Newsletter
Walt Fritz, PT
2050 South Clinton Ave.
Rochester, New York 14618

585.244.6180