MFR-Myofascial Release
MFR is a soft tissue therapy that works on the fascial or connective tissue. This tissue surrounds every cell in the body and therefore runs through all muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones allowing them to slide and glide over and around each other. It protects and stabilizes organs and bones and is responsible for our sense of proprioception or our feeling of 'where we are in space'. The entire fascial system is interconnected so any influence on one area has an effect on the rest of the body. This is similar to a bed sheet- when it's pulled on one corner, the ripples can be seen across the rest of the bed. Tissue tightens in response to any physical and/or emotional trauma and is very often is unable to release. This may be due to various causes such as repetitive strain, dehydration, compensation issues or overwork. As the tissue holds a cellular memory of all unresolved trauma, not only physical issues but the unresolved emotion can cause tightening of tissues and eventual soreness, lack of flexibility and lameness/ gait anomalies. Tight fascial tissue becomes dry and hard instead of loose and elastic-( it's made up primarily of collagen, elastin and a thick viscous fluid called ground substance which should remain soft and pliable but becomes tight and hard under traumatic conditions) Most importantly, the fascia can exert up to 2000 lbs. This means that restricted tissue can cause bones to misalign, tendons to rupture, cause intense nerve pain, oedema from blocking the lymphatic flow and various other problems for the body. MFR is a gentle hands on therapy that works 3 dimensionally to encourage the fascial tissue to release, unwind, and remodel. It uses gentle pressure and a piezoelectric effect to sink in, unwind and stretch damaged tissue . It thereby can restore over a relatively short time period full range of motion and flexibility as well as very effectively alleviating pain. It also can provide a huge emotional release allowing patients(both equine and human!) to release past traumas and to feel lighter, happier and more relaxed. 2-3 treatments will usually resolve most soft tissue problems in horses, providing there is no underlying cause (such as arthritis, foot imbalances, poorly fitting saddles etc.) Patients can feel a bit wobbly as restrictions are released and muscles that may have been weak and restricted are called back into use. They can also experience a short emotional 'high' or 'low' as they process releases, but these are all short lived and are an important part of the recovery process. Once horses have settled into their new feeling of proprioception, consistent work is important as little used muscles will require stretching and strengthening. Therefore physical improvement from MFR can continue over several weeks or even months as increased range of movement allows for muscular strengthening and development. I came across this relatively little known therapy after a wrist dislocation and fractures that required surgery and the insertion of a plate. 6 weeks after surgery I still had extremely minimal wrist movement in spite of many physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture sessions. These sessions were causing intense pain but didn't seem to improve my wrist movement at all. As I also play the violin semiprofessionally, and at that stage couldn't even hold the instrument, it was very important not only to regain some movement, but absolute full range of motion. A friend suggested that I try MFR, and although I was skeptical as my friend couldn't actually explain how the therapy worked, I was desperate enough to give it a try. After 2 sessions I was able to rotate my wrist 180 degrees and more importantly, hold my violin! Then after 4 sessions I was playing again and in 6 sessions was able to play as I had before the accident. I was extremely impressed by the results and realised that here was a therapy that could be of tremendous benefit to my eventers. After doing some research and with plenty of advice from my practitioner I found that there were courses offered here in England on the John Barnes method of MFR for equines. This started a 2 year journey for me in which I have become an advanced MFR practitioner for equines. As most of my clients also want/need some work done on them too, I am currently studying to become a human MFR practitioner as well, and will be qualified at the end of April this year(2016). The MFR combines beautifully with my zoopharmacognosy practice (self-selection of plant oils and herbs by animals for self- medication) and human/equine healing practice. I can only say that the results of MFR have far exceeded my expectations. Many times clients have brought horses with long-term undiagnosed lameness, and in 95% of cases 2-3 sessions of MFR has removed the fascial restrictions causing the pain and dysfunction. My long competitive Eventing career also helps me to spot possible underlying causes like hoof imbalances, poor saddle fit, an unbalanced rider, etc, so often once these causes are removed and tissue restrictions are released by MFR, the problem is solved. I am regularly asked how often a horse should be treated, and this depends entirely on the horses workload and the quality of his management. Roughly, after the initial sessions which remove any major restrictions, I suggest that after every 2-3 events it's good to have a check up. Every competition horse (and rider!) will experience some micro-tears in their soft tissue both in training and competition. The sooner restrictions are released the less likelihood they have to cause compensation issues and major problems! For some horses this could be once every 4/6 weeks and for others this could be every 4-6 months. Fairly regular treatments seem to keep patients loose and supple, much more injury free and emotionally stable. You can't ask for one type of treatment to do any more than that!
