Release & Restore Myofascial Release

04/20/2026

Hey everyone! I'm Joel Michael Schlitzer , Savannah's husband. I officially have the license to touch! Im officially a Licensed Massage Therapist!

In March of 23 I injured my back at work, in 24 I exacerbated that injury. Id been to the "red taped" physical therapy and chiropractic work and it just didn't seem to feel like I was feeling enough relief. I was scared to continue what I was doing for work (electrical) but didn't exactly know what I was supposed to do. I was dealing with chronic back pain and wanted to be happy and safe with my decision.

Savannah was just finishing her schooling for massage. We were just about to get married and officially start our life together. After reviewing the specialized work that Savannah was deciding to go for threw massage therapy I learned John F Barnes, the "guru" who invented/discovered the work, Myofascial Release also had created the work based off his own back injury. I deeply resonated with the way he spoke and portrayed the "whole body."

At that point I was interested to know more. Id unofficially signed up for massage school up at NYIM. From there two weeks after our wedding I snuck into the Myofascial Release Seminars in San Antonio. By "snuck in" I was supposed to be fully enrolled into the program of massage, AT BARE MINIMUM!!! I was still hesitant in making sure this could be it for me and was worried about the school commitment. After the seminar, I was hooked!

It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least learning so much on how to self treat to give myself relief in a way I didn't know. On top of that I've had such a great pleasure to work with so many great people already giving others life changing knowledge/relief in the process. At this point we've each taken 12-13 seminars together in total equaling 12+ years of continued education focused on Myofascial Release.

I would like to publicly thank my lovely wife Savannah Schlitzer for supporting me through this life changing process. Savannah started on Lincoln and then we went to Dysinger. With careful consideration and renovation I could not be any more excited to start this new chapter of working together in the business of Myofascial Release out of our home.

To all of those who read this far, a great person told us when we were meeting our match as newly weds at the our first seminar-
"It's okay to not be okay" - A Johnism I later learned, it's part of the process.

Today I feel safe, today I am happy.

I cant wait to offer the relief i have been given through this amazing work!

Thank you Lord,

Amen

With love, Joel

04/11/2026

Posture looks different for everyone. There is no "one size fits all," contrary to what you'll hear from mainstream wellness "experts."

Every body holds its own unique shapes, patterns, and ways of organizing itself to better serve and hold space for the being you are. What looks and feels good for one person may be completely different for another.

When you are not feeling at ease in your body, however, is when we may gently encourage and hold space for the body to choose a different way to organize itself. Without ever ever forcing, but rather in little nudges of "hey- what about this? Would it feel better to be over here?" Sometimes I can feel the body going oooooh yes, I forgot this place is available!! Okay!" Other times- its a little more like "hmmm, that doesn't feel safe. Im not willing or ready." To which we respectfully back off.

Your. Body. Knows. Best.

This is before and after one hour of myofascial release!

Bring your gentle awareness to her shoulders, her pelvis, and her feet/legs. Now soften your focus. Can you see how much more at ease her system is?

I cant wait to continue with her and witness the amazing capacity of her body to heal and let go.

04/11/2026

Views from my saturday morning cup of Joe..
Exciting exciting news coming soon.. 😉🙈

Something Joel and I have looked in the future to since 2022.

Now so so close to the very present..

Dreams are weird like that. One day they're nothing but an idea. A curiosity. A version of your life that hardly even seemed possible. And then one day you wake up and you can taste, see, and smell it.

Oh, Lord, you are so good! 💓🙌

If you've got a curiosity, an idea, a dream that feels like its too good to be true, pursue it anyways. Just a little bit every day! And one day, it may just come to life ✨️

04/09/2026

"MFR is not about "fixing" the body.. its about creating the space for the body to heal itself" ✨️

Why is Myofascial Release different than massage?

Because it’s not about working on the muscles…

it’s about working with the fascial system.

Massage often focuses on muscles using techniques like kneading, pressure, and movement to relax tissue and improve circulation.

And it can feel great.

But fascia behaves differently than muscle.

Fascia requires time and sustained pressure to truly release.

If we move too quickly or use force, the body can actually guard and tighten.

Myofascial Release is different.

We apply gentle, sustained pressure with no oils or lotions and wait.

We listen.

We allow the tissue to soften, unwind, and reorganize—without forcing change.

This is why MFR can:

✨ create longer-lasting results

✨ address deeper restrictions

✨ support nervous system regulation

✨ help release patterns held from injury, surgery, or trauma

It’s not about “fixing” the body.

It’s about creating the space for the body to heal itself.

Sometimes the most powerful work…

happens in stillness.

04/03/2026

Yes! Lean into feeling and out of thinking.

Often while treating my thinking mind is disengaged. I am floating moment to moment and not cataloguing observations. If you need a play by play during your session let me know ahead of time as I will otherwise just intuitively follow the subtle presentations as they arise.
But here’s the thing. What you think and feel is really the crux of it. It is your body, your fascia and your subconscious bringing things forward. The more important question is not what am I thinking, but rather what are you feeling? Where are you having trouble softening and letting go? What thoughts, memories or feelings is your subconscious bringing forward. How are you interpreting what you felt and experienced. These are questions that you can consider even long after the session is over. The meaning often sneaks in quietly when we are not focused on figuring it out.

Photo: Kings Mountain NC

04/03/2026

I am feeling so deeply grateful 🙏

My clients make work feel like play. Like alchemy. Deep connections between my hands and their body, but also heart to heart.

Healing is never about reaching some fantastical level of "perfection" or where we never encounter another inner or outer challenge again. Rather, it is in remembering our connection to something greater than ourselves, so we are able to respond to life's conflicts with a different IDENTITY, that is rooted in connection, capacity, courage, and knowing deeply that we are not alone. So when we are a mess and falling apart, we can be just that, while also knowing deeply how loved we are by others and by God, exactly as we are. Right here, right now.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41:10

She drew the connection card. Of course, it was right on par with today's session.

-Savannah

04/02/2026

Im grateful Julia shared her thoughts on this and made a video. My thoughts on this are very similar! Fascial release should follow the tissues; not force them. Otherwise, the work will be muscular only, and the results temporary.

03/14/2026

Fascia is a Whole-Body System

Pain is rarely where the problem begins.

Fascial is continuous web running from head to toe.

A restriction in one area can create tension somewhere completely different.

For example:

• Foot restrictions can affect the neck

• Hip restrictions can create back pain

• Abdominal restrictions can affect breathing

This is why Myofascial Release treats the whole body, not just the area of pain, treating the BEING of the human being.

Everything in the body is connected through the fascial network.

03/11/2026

Why Relaxation Alone Isn’t Enough 🧘‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️🧘🏻 Many people try to calm their nervous system with meditation, breathing, or mindfulness.

These are wonderful tools.
Healing happens in the body, not the mind.

But if fascial restrictions are physically pulling on the nervous system, the body may still feel stuck in stress no matter how hard you try to relax.

Fascia can hold:
• trauma
• inflammation
• injuries
• surgical scars
• emotional experiences

Myofascial Release works with the body — not against it.

Through sustained pressure and listening to the body, restrictions begin to release, allowing the nervous system to shift naturally into rest, repair, and healing.

When the fascia changes, the nervous system follows.

03/02/2026

Learn about myofascial unwinding and how it helps us integrate and heal previous trauma.

Past trauma can show up in protective postures, holding patterns, and subtle positions the body adopts over time. In this clip, John Barnes explains how thes...