Approach

It has been found that fascia responds to gentle sustained stretching.  Although muscle tissue often responds to deep pressure, this is not true with fascia. This is because the collagenous fibers of fascia are extremely tough and resistant to hard pressure. The element of time is important and stretches are held for an element of time.  The therapist applies gentle but firm pressure into the restrictions allowing the tissue to release.  After it releases, the therapist will follow the tissue to the next restriction and so on.

There are no cookbook recipes or abc routines which makes each session unique to each equine.  The body is never forced but rather the therapist tunes in and is guided by the body.  The body really does talk and when we learn to listen and follow the restrictions positive lasting results can be achieved.

The difference between MFR and Traditional Therapy

There is a significant difference between JFB-MFR and other types of body work. Many therapies generally only address the superficial layers of the muscles and fascia. Fascia is basically composed of three parts and most therapies only address the superficial layer which is the elastic com ponent. The JFB-MFR approach releases the deeper collagenous layer of the myofascial complex which causes lasting results to occur.

A good analogy is an elastic band. If you take an elastic band and stretch it apart between your fingers, it will lengthen. But as soon as you release the elastic band, it goes back to its original shape. This is like most other therapies that only hold at the barrier for a short time, which provides only temporary results. Some relief might be felt for a short time, but then that old familiar pull and pain returns.

If you take that same elastic band, put it around an object (like a book) and leave it for several minutes it will have lengthened when you remove it. This is what MFR does; it allows the tissue to lengthen. This is a very simple example to demonstrate the difference and to show that the difference in effectiveness is huge. If too much force is applied, then the body will start to resist. If not enough force is applied, then the only change that occurs will be in the elastic component which allows only temporary results.

Don’t be deceived

Myofascial Release is gentle, but it has profound effects upon the body tissues. Do not be deceived by the gentleness. Whilst watching a myofascial session you might wonder what an earth is going on?  Nothing much appears to be happening and it is not very exciting to watch.   But a lot is happening under the surface and can be felt by the therapist’s hands.  Essentially the therapist acts as a facilitator and allows the fascia to unwind itself.  Finding restrictions, using sustained pressure to soften and re-hydrate the area and then following the release to the next restriction.