by John F. Barnes, P.T., L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.

Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective—Piezoelectric Transformation, MASSAGE MagazineThe traditional paradigm states that consciousness is only an accidental artifact of the biochemistry of the brain. Our model of reality is deepening and expanding with the help of new scientific electronic microscopes and sophisticated techniques.

My experience has been that consciousness infuses our entire being. For years, I have taught that fascia on the microscopic level is actually a three-dimensional web of tiny, hollow tubules filled with fluid carrying information. This information in the form of thermal, electromagnetic and mechanical energy is transmitted to all aspects of the mind-body complex via myofascial release for healing on the deepest levels.

The old way of observing this phenomenon was to try to break everything down into its lowest common denominator; the reductionist model. Until recently, there have been few experiments set up to observe the living system. Biology has a long tradition of fixing, pinning, clamping, pressing, pulping, homogenizing, extracting and fractioning. This, unfortunately, gave us a limited and distorted understanding of the interrelationships of the whole living system.

Cellular consciousness

Has an understanding of consciousness eluded brain researchers because they limited their focus to the brain?

A major international conference was recently held in Cambridge, England, titled, “Beyond the Brain: New Avenues in Consciousness Research.” Speakers included many of the world’s most eminent theorists of consciousness experience, including Nobel laureate physicist Brian Josephson, neurologist Stuart Harnernoff, psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, evolutionary scientist Ervin Laszlo and psychologist Charles Tart. The conclusion of the conference was there is evidence of a shift away from the premise that consciousness is a mere byproduct of brain processes.

Science is in the throws of a deep-seated revolution. When you look at evidence that the mind is not confined to the skull, you automatically expand the horizons of research. Many people now realize the ways in which we have been limited by the assumptions of science.

The nervous system of the cell

The famous neuroscientist Charles Scott Sherrington observed that the cytoskeleton may act as the nervous system of single cell organisms. Synaptic connections are formed and regulated by cytoskeletal polymers, including microtubules.

Dr. Roger Penrose and Dr. Stuart Hameroff speculated the cytoskeleton is like a micro-fascial system, within each cell. This micro-myofascial system is made up of a skeleton of tubules filled with fluid and surrounded and interconnected from cell to cell by a viscous ground substance.

They continue to suggest, using the quantum field theory, that ordering of the water molecules and the electromagnetic field confined inside the hollow microtubules core manifest a specific collective dynamic called “super radiance.” Accordingly, each microtubule can transform incoherent, disordered energy (molecular, thermal or electromagnetic) into coherent photons within its hollow core.

This information supports the continuity of the fascial system from the inside of the cell to the very periphery of our being and the holographic model of reality where photons (light) are transmitted as information throughout the mind-body complex. Consciousness may emerge as a macroscopic quantum state from a critical level of coherence of quantum-level events in and around a specific class of neurobiological microstructures: cytoskeletal microtubules within neurons.

The piezoelectric phenomenon

This information about how information/consciousness is transmitted through the hollow core of the microtubules to all aspects of the mind-body helps to deepen our understanding of the piezoelectric effect when the myofascial system is treated.

The fascia is a piezoelectric tissue; therefore, a therapist utilizing the gentle, sustained pressure of myofascial release through compression, stretching or twisting of the myofascial system generates a flow of bioenergy (information) throughout the mind-body complex by the piezoelectric phenomenon.

This facilitates the extracellular matrix to transform as it goes through its “sol to gel” reorganization during myofascial release. Fascia behaves as an electrically conductive medium, which allows this viscoelastic tissue to rehydrate under the sustained pressures of the therapist’s hands. This rehydration also allows for an elongation of the myofascial system, relieving pressure on pain-sensitive structures for alleviation of the symptoms of pain, headaches and restoration of motion.

Cellular consciousness and health

So, we are connected—from deep within each cell of our being flows information/consciousness via light energy (photons) throughout all aspects of our mind-body.

This incredible magnification of our new electronic microscopes has allowed scientists to see fascial structures within the cell that expand our knowledge and provide us with a more accurate understanding of our fascial system and its importance to the healthy functioning of our mind-body.

There is an avalanche of new information coming out on the deeper structures of the cell, the myofascial system, holography and the piezoelectric phenomenon.

Myofascial release, massage and other excellent hands-on therapies give therapists powerful healing techniques to effectively, cost-efficiently and comprehensively help clients realize their full potential.

Sincerely,

John

John Barnes, MASSAGE MagazineJohn F. Barnes, P.T., L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B., is an international lecturer, author and acknowledged expert in the area of myofascial release. He has instructed more than 50,000 therapists worldwide in his Myofascial Release Approach, and he is the author of Myofascial Release: the Search for Excellence (Rehabilitation Services, Inc., 1990) and Healing Ancient Wounds: the Renegade’s Wisdom (Myofascial Release Treatment Centers & Seminars, 2000). He is on the counsel of advisors of the American Back Society, as well as on MASSAGE Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. For more information, visit www.myofascialrelease.com.

For more information about myofascial release, view two separate excerpts from the Fireside Chat with John F. Barnes, P.T. DVD on YouTube:

Part 1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWRuS9xAbMo

Part 2

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4QrvlwtBOU

Also, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, read Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective—Breast Health.