Fascia is a specialised system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web. It is a living state and very strong. Fascia surrounds, infuses and protects every other tissue, tendon, muscle, bone ligament and organ of the body. In healthy conditions the fascial system is relaxed and wavy in configuration. In healthy patients fascia is relaxed, providing cushioning, supportive mechanism allowing us to move safely without restriction or pain. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries has cumulative effects on the body, even if this occurred as far back as birth or childhood. Fascial restrictions do not show up on CAT scans, MRI’s or X-Rays therefore many patients are suffering unresolved physical and emotional pain due to undiagnosed fascial trauma. Traditional healthcare treats the symptom; MFR with its whole body approach treats the cause at the deepest level.
By relieving the facial system we can relieve pressure on the other systems in the body, enhancing the relief of pain and improving the quantity and quality of motion and function John F. Barnes PT
Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the ‘triggering’ event itself. They stem from the frozen reside of energy that has not been resolved or discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits Peter A Levine, PHD
I am very grateful to Claire for the effective MFR therapy she gave me. Her calm, sensitive, and sympathetic approach greatly helped my recovery from sciatica. Chris H - Bovey Tracey
MFR 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. The MFR technique is very different to that of massaging muscles, tendons and the ligaments of the body. A time component also exists, coupled with the fluidity of the therapist’s hands in applying pressure and moving through each and every fascial restriction. The time element is a vital factor; the fascia cannot be forced, as it will naturally meet that force in return. Hence the MFR therapist provides a sustained, gentle, pressure for 5 to 8 minutes allowing the trained therapist to feel through the system to encourage the fascia to elongate naturally and return to its prerestriction resting length restoring health and providing results, which are both measureable and functional. Each session will last around an hour. No oils are used in this treatment. MFR is fast gaining recognition as the missing link in traditional healthcare. MFR treats injuries at its source, allowing the patient to heal at the deepest level. Even though as a patient you may not feel like much is happening, the therapist can feel the fascial restrictions and where they lead. The appointment is generally an hour. There is an initial consultation, then a posture analysis followed by the treatment, which is conducted, on the massage couch in your underwear, where you will be covered with towels for your comfort.
What you may feel varies enormously from person to person and from treatment to treatment. Our bodies are not the same. You may feel very little going on, others feel a pins and needles like feeling or hot / cold either where the hands are or over the body in other areas. As the fascia is released you may feel movement and shifts within the body that can cause you to move. The treatment is done in relative silence but Claire will check in with you and if you feel any changes within your body it is a good idea to communicate these to Claire. There is a physical and emotional component to this work. You can experience emotions and thoughts. These are encouraged as a really positive step. If you allow the body to relax and melt into the couch you will get the most benefit from your treatment.
The treatment can continue for hours, days or weeks after. So straight after treatments you may not feel the benefits but the body will continue to self heal and correct. Sometimes you can have a healing crisis where the symptoms become worse before they get better. Whilst traditional health care focuses on the symptom, MFR with its whole body approach treats the actual cause at the deepest level.