Shielded Myofascial Release/Manual Therapy

Shielded Myofascial Release/Manual Therapy

 Manual therapy and myofascial release are historically performed directly on the skin. In my original line of MFR training, I was taught that if I did not work on the skin then I would be releasing clothing and not the fascia. Never mind that I lacked the critical thinking skills to confront those statements with questions such as, "What about the skin? The skin is there too!" However, I also worked for one MFR educator who insisted on direct skin contact for ten years, acting as a teaching assistant (TA) at dozens of his seminars. One of my tasks as a TA was to assure that the therapists taking every class got the "feel" of the work. As such I would move around the room helping each person with the hands-on aspects of the work. This involved me placing a hand directly over the hand or hands of the therapists and helping them to feel deeply into the body of their partner (patient). Many newcomers had difficulty feeling for the "stuff" we thought was important and my task was to help this process of exploration. Through the therapist's hands, I would try to feel for areas of tightness, etc. in the patient and help the therapist develop that same feel. Time permitting I might have even stuck around and helped them feel the treatment progress. And all of this was performed THROUGH another person's hand(s)! But then I told them that they must work directly on the skin. Looking back I see the whole things as rather hypocritical. If I could feel and treat through the thickness of another person's hand without losing the "feel", then how could a flimsy layer of clothing be so bad?

It is not my intention to single out one educator or modality, as there are many ideas and beliefs in our shared industries that need rethinking. Our work is often to ritual-based and with science constantly evolving it might be time to rethink many of the rituals.While I admit that I enjoy working directly on the skin, with the accompaniment of Liquid Chalk or Dycem, I no longer have an issue working through clothing. There are many times when my patient does not feel comfortable or safe with me placing my hands directly on them, whether on the skin or over their clothing. I want to place their needs, concerns, and safety first and allow them their preferences (1/3 of the Evidence-Based Model). So I've developed what I term, "Shielded" work. Please watch and let me know your thoughts.You may find out more about my approach to manual therapy and myofascial release and read about my seminars presented around the world at www.WaltFritz.com.

Cheers,

Walt Fritz, PT

Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars

I am a proud member of the Medbridge Massage team of educators. I have 8 online courses, all presented from my updated, science-informed model of myofascial release. Take advantage of some pretty great discounts with a 12-month package of viewing, learning and CEUs with unlimited viewing of not only my (pretty great) courses but also over a dozen of the top educators in the massage profession. Approved for CEUs for all US MTs. Use the discount code FRITZmassage for the $49/year price by using this link: Medbridge Massage.

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