As a therapist, you know that inflammation is an important part of the healing process; however, when inflammation has been thwarted it tends to solidify the ground substance of the fascial system, which should be fluid. This solidification blocks healing and, over time, tends to continue to solidify into crushing restrictions that produce the symptoms that bring many of your clients to you for treatment. Traditional therapy, which just treats the effects and symptoms, is not enough anymore.
The various forms of therapy, massage, modalities and exercise do not engage the fascial restriction long enough to stimulate the phenomena of piezoelectricity, mechanotransduction, chaos, and phase transition which ultimately lead to resonance. Resonance is essential for reduction of pain, increased range of motion, and authentic healing. The process of stimulating this phenomenon is significant and is quite different from what we have learned in the past.
Piezoelectricity
Piezoelectricity is a Greek word which means pressure electricity. Our cells are crystalline in nature. When you place pressure into a crystal, you create an electrical flow. The sustained pressure of my Approach to Myofascial Release coupled with the time element, five minutes or longer per restriction, creates a bioelectrical flow in the body. In other words, the motion of the mind leads into mechanotransduction.
Mechanotransduction
Mechanotransduction—sustained mechanical pressure—can create biochemical changes within our bodies. Importantly, Myofascial Release produces Interleukin 8, the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Phase Transition
When piezoelectricity and mechanotransduction dovetail together, phase transition takes place. Much like the phenomenon of ice transforming into water, in our bodies the fascial system’s solidified, ground substance becomes more fluid, allowing tissue to rehydrate and glide, taking pressure off pain-sensitive structures.
Chaos Theory
Everything in traditional medicine and therapy insists upon order and control. However, true growth and healing cannot occur in a controlled, orderly way.
Systems theory states that nature goes through continuous periods of order, chaos, order, chaos. It is in the chaotic phase that reorganization occurs. The system then returns to a higher level of order. As ice transforms into water, a period of chaos must occur; this chaos is also a necessary step for the fascial system as it becomes less solidified and more fluid.
Resonance
When one human touches another, their vibratory rates are quite different on the molecular level. With sustained pressure at the fascial restriction, their vibratory rates will become identical, creating resonance. Resonance is the very essence of my Approach to Myofascial Release. It is what I call a release. Release occurs in the cranial area and throughout the body.
Resonance, unfortunately, does not occur in other forms of therapy because these other forms are administered too quickly, hence providing only temporary results. Myofascial Release, coupled with the various forms of massage, bodywork and energy techniques, can greatly enhance your effectiveness. This is why it is so important to learn the art of locating the fascial restrictions, which are totally unique to each individual. With sustained pressure of five minutes or longer at the restricted barrier, you can help your clients achieve the profound and lasting results they deserve.
Piezoelectricity, mechanotransduction, phase transition, chaos theory and resonance are the key components in changing—and improving—health care as we know it.
About the Author:
John 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 100,000 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; he is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. For more information, visit www.myofascialrelease.com.
For more information about myofascial release, access two excerpts from the Fireside Chat with John F. Barnes, PT DVD on YouTube:
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