Yesterday I started the Myofascial Release Therapy my MD recommended. It was quite amazing. Although my new provider is a physical therapist this is unlike any PT I have ever had.
To start with she talked to me for an hour while going over the forms I had carefully filled out. She related pain that I have to different things going on with my body in a way that I have not been educated in. It's hard for me to explain to you.
She spent about 15 minutes gently working/massaging the fascia where certain nerves lie that are related to my pain.
She also told me I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I have looked for an answer for my thoracic and rib pain for years. It's also related to the weakness in my arms. It's all connected to my thoracic spine and a tumor removal in my right breast 20 years ago. What? Yes, breast size and the breast scar tissue is still causing damage. I was confused at first but when she started to explain and work on me it all went together amazingly.
I loved it. I go back tomorrow for a full hour of treatment. I may be sore on Friday, but that's the way it goes. I will be going to her regularly for an extended period of time.
The providers my doctor recommends must be trained under a specific instructor. His name is John F Barnes. I'm going to add a link to his web site. There is a link on there that can help you find a therapist in your area. I'm glad my therapist is a female. Girls, you may prefer a female too. Guys, take your choice.
I am a trained massage therapist and know this therapy and how to perform it. I'm soooooooo glad you found this and hope that others on this site will be able to find someone to do this for them. Myofascial release is one of, if not THE, most powerful forms of massage. It can take care of sooooooo many issues people have with their bodies and pain they experience. Sedona AZ, I believe, is the preeminent place for the study/teaching/practice of this therapy. Thank you for the link! If I had my "druthers" I'd take a vacation there just for this treatment ... well, ok, and for all the other spa treatments you can find there!
One thing you might notice, don't know if your therapist told you or not, but you may end up a bit taller when this is over LOLOL. We had that happen in massage class. One gentlemen ended up an inch and a half taller after getting this done to his whole body!
I am very excited about it. I didn't get to go today because we had a blizzard set down.
My therapist, Amanda, did some training in Sedona. I do consider myself extremely lucky to find her and especially to have the insurance to cover it. It could be possible to find coverage for these services depending on the clinic.
Thanks for your boost, Shatosa. I wouldn't mind being a bit taller. :0)
I had my first full hour of treatment on Wednesday. It was different, that's for sure. She worked on my knee to help my neck. I got a terrible head ache. I started remembering and missing my Dad and started crying. She told me emotions come out. I was thinking that I'm not ready for this kind of therapy. I've seen a psychologist for many years, it's not that I'm not open to being psychoanalyzed. The headache went away and she did some work on my neck.
It's unusual and it's odd, but she told me to hang in there.
Thursday I could hardly move I was in so much pain. My emotions were as low as low can go. I emailed her and cancelled the friday appointment. She emailed back some articles on breaking through to healing.
Friday I was my normal me again. My neck and thoracic pain gone. I will go to my appt on Monday and see how that goes.
Thank you for posting this discussion. I had never heard of type of massage until my acupuncturist recommended it. I’ve been having two one-hour sessions a week for the last few months. With that, stretching, swimming and warm baths, I’ve been able to gain back some function and mobility, not to mention some strength. I also take my meds, of course, but the MFR is the most immediately effective treatment for the muscle and nerve pains I’ve ever experienced. My MT is amazing at what she can detect and explained how the muscles pulling on the ligaments and tendons can affect all the other parts of the body. And only by loosening the fascia can you really begin to free the muscle to properly stretch and strengthen it. It’s a slow process and in between sessions, muscles can lock right back up, but I’ve found that certain areas have stayed looser or respond faster to the massage as I continue treatments. I’m taking her recommendation to try Pilates as well in order to gently rebuild my core muscles. It can be an expensive treatment, but I advise anyone who can to try it; you will be amazed at the results.