Alt Med - Myofascial Release (MFR)(15 of 20)

(from PT and Alternative Medicine)

Myofascial release is a form of massage therapy that uses sustained pressure to loosen or release tightness in connective tissues (fascia).

Synonyms: acutherapy, myotherapy, bodywork, trigger point therapy and soft tissue mobilization.

It is thought that tightness within the fascia causes restriction of muscle and other tissues, resulting in pain and loss of motion. Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma and poor posture supposedly contribute to this tightness.

MFR promotes the philosophy that the mind and body work together to maintain health. The body has the ability to remember postural positions, actions and emotions without the brain reminding it to do so. Throughout the body's fascial system flow microscopic cells containing energy which have the ability to retain memory.

John F Barnes, PT is the most noted practitioner of MFR and claims to be the founder of the MFR Approach. He describes MFR as Therapeutic Artistry, separating it from science. He is very critical of traditional science and states that quantum physics demonstrates that there is no objectivity. He also states that traditional science was built on quicksand.

Mr. Barnes supports his philosophy by quoting a book called "Energy Medicine in Therapeutics and Human Performance" by James L. Oschman, PhD, in which it is stated that there is no such thing as a disease.

An attitude similar to Mr. Barnes is presented by Carol Davis in Complimentary Therapies in Rehabilitation, which states “--- the emerging new explanatory theory of mind-body holism, based on the quantum theory of the behavior and characteristics of atoms and molecules, offers explanations for these and many other 'unexplainable' outcomes. The science of energy medicine is rapidly helping to answer many of the questions that have eluded us for decades”.

There is a paucity of peer-reviewed studies on MFR. Most of the studies are of the case study variety. A few studies do suggest a positive effect. However, there are no comparative studies with other forms of manual deep-tissue therapies.

Summary:

Anyone who values science as a tool to obtain knowledge and truth cannot support the rationale behind this form of treatment. However, MFR probably has some clinical benefit but no more that other deep-tissue massage techniques and/or prolonged stretching.