Myofascial release is manual
technique for stretching the fascia with the aim to balance the body. Fascia is
located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone, it is
a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles,
organs, and skeletal structures in our body. Injuries, stress, trauma, and poor
posture can cause restriction to fascia, and the goal of myofascial release is
to unlock fascia restriction and restore its balance.
Read about Myofascial Release (see a video of Dr. Ida Rolf)
Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Art Riggs
Deep Tissue Massage &
Myofascial Release
A Video Guide to
Techniques
This seven volume (over 11 hours) encyclopaedia of
bodywork gives clear demonstrations of virtually every tissue technique any
therapist will need. Seeing them performed live, in real time, offers an
educational experience that is impossible to achieve in books alone.
Many massage training videos just show "strokes" without delving into
the complex issues of soft tissue restrictions, osseous articulations
and strategies for working with the multitude of different issues we
face as therapists. This extensive series is designed to stimulate
creativity and problem solving skills. This valuable resource not only shows countless
strokes and strategies, but will, more importantly, demonstrate the
art of working with fascia to affect profound change.
SECTION I (DVDs 1 & 2) FUNDAMENTALS
- Palpation and Cultivation of Touch-Working with Layers of the Body -
Body Biomechanics - How to Properly Use Fingers, Knuckles, the Fist,
Forearm, and Elbow and Save Your Thumbs - Purposeful Strokes- Strategies
to Lengthen Tissue, Free Adhesions, and Release Holding Patterns -
Positioning of Your Client to Increase Effectiveness of Your Work - The
Side-Lying Position to Dramatically Improve Your Effectiveness
SECTION II (DVDs 3, 4 &5) STRATEGIES
OF DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE Hundreds of techniques and strategies
covering the entire body. DVD 3: Legs and Pelvis. DVD 4: Continuation of
the Pelvis, Rotators, Abdomen (Including the Psoas and Iliacus), and the
Back. DVD 5: Working with the Shoulder Girdle, Chest, Arms, and Neck
SECTION III (DVDs 6 & 7) ADVANCED
TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES FOR COMMON COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES -
Foot/Ankle Injuries Including Sprains, Plantar Fasciaitis, Achilles
Tendonitis - Knee Pain and Dysfunction - Sciatica - Minor Back Pain -
Rotator Cuff - Tennis Elbow and Wrist - Thoracic Outlet
Note: ATMS
member can earn 35 CPE points with this DVD
Body reading is both an art and a skill. Prompted by increased demand within and outside
the ‘bodywork and massage therapy’ community, Thomas Myers shares his
secrets on visual analysis based on more than 30 years of studying and
working with the human body. He has assembled a fun, unique and highly
applicable step-by-step process for developing visual analysis skills
that can make an immediate difference in how practitioners approach
their clients based on posture.
With more than 30 practice clients for standing
posture and 12 for gait analysis, plus sections on assessing breathing
and sitting, the 3-DVD set lets you test your own growing understanding
before getting Tom's "expert" opinion with his experienced eye.
These instructional DVDs
present unique, interesting, and
fresh approaches that will increase effectiveness and inspire
innovation. Join Certified
Advanced Rolfers and Rolf Institute® Faculty members Til Luchau and
Larry Koliha. Filmed at actual Rolf Institute®-sponsored trainings
in the popular "Advanced Myofascial Techniques" series. Drawing from a wide
range of disciplines, topics covered include:
Specific techniques for common
structural and functional complaints
Relieving pain, restoring lost
function, and getting lasting results
Utilizing both active and passive
movement to enhance effectiveness
Precision in working with
specific tissue types and body layers
Combining indirect or subtle work
with deep or direct work
Tracking subtle
psychophysiological and nervous system responses
Ways to work sensitively, safely,
and comfortably at very deep levels.
Advanced Myofascial Techniques
presents audio course for personalized study with Jan Sultan, one of
the world's premier Advanced Rolfing Instructors. Learn Structural
Biomechanics & Pattern Recognition.
Jan's work has had
an unparalleled influence on the practice of Structural Integration
throughout the world. He has long been known for his ability to
teach seemingly complex structural concepts in a simple and clearly
understandable way.
Learn
innovative Bodywork deep tissue technique with Dr. Erik Dalton for chronic reflex muscle
spasms caused by joint dysfunction, including Myofascial Mobilization,
Structural Integration, Manipulative Osteopathy, and Muscle Energy
Techniques (MET).
The Myoskeletal
Alignment Techniques program was developed by Dr. Erik Dalton as a tool to help relieve
neck/ back pain epidemic. By incorporating muscle-balancing techniques
with joint-mobilization maneuvers, manual therapists learn to quickly
identify and correct dysfunctional strain patterns before they become
pain patterns. Combining muscle and joint modalities offers busy bodyworkers short-cuts that help shorten assessment/hands-on time,
increase therapeutic efficiency; and provide clients with pain relief.
Feet and ankles are frequently injured resulting in
chronic soft tissue and articular restrictions. Therapists are beginning
to appreciate that these restrictions influence the overall well being
of the body, especially the pelvis and the Sacro-Iliac Joints. By systematically
clearing the soft tissue restrictions and then mobilising the major
joints of the ankle it is possible to significantly alter not only ankle
function but also the entire action of the legs and pelvis. This DVD covers techniques for: Ankle
Retinaculum, Tensor
Fascia Lata, Anterior
Compartment, Posterior
Compartment Plantar
Myofascia,
Retinaculum, Talus, Calcaneus, Mobilizing
the Calcaneus, Fibula
Running time: 45 Mins. Note
this DVD is in PAL format
The DVD for the thigh covers all its aspects:
anterior; posterior; lateral and medial. Interestingly, all of these
aspects have one or more tonic muscles within them. These postural, slow twitch
muscles are frequently fibrous, short and tensioned. They require Direct
Release Myofascial Technique to be effectively treated. Michael shows a
variety of approaches to achieving the long lasting release that
therapists are looking for. Features include highly acclaimed approaches
to the ITB and tensor fascia lata that won’t make your clients sweat
bullets!
Running time: 50 Mins. Note this DVD is in
PAL format
Dr. Ida Rolf considered the pelvis to the keystone of
good structure. In this DVD, Michael guides the viewer through a range
of releases that will assist in creating pelvic mobility and stability.
Features of the DVD include low force approaches to the psoas and
techniques for influencing the pelvic floor via the obturator muscles, Gluteal
Fascia at the Sacrum,
Sacrotuberous Ligament, Piriformis, Abdominal
Wall, Suspensory
Ligament of Bladder, and Pelvic
Traction.
Running time: 55 Mins. Note this DVD is in
PAL format
Direct Release Myofascial Technique - The
Cervical Region
by Michael Stanborough
Pain and stiffness in the cervical region are
common presentations of clients seeking soft tissue therapy. This DVD details Direct Release Myofascial Techniques for the anterior, lateral and posterior
regions of the cervical spine. Attention is given to treating the
deep anterior muscles that are frequently damaged in whiplash
injuries but seldom receive any effective treatment. Viewers will
also be presented with approaches to restoring cervical lordosis via
low force soft tissue techniques and imagery. Techniques covered
are: Mastoid Process, Scalenes, First Rib, Infrahyoid region,
Suprahyoid region, Deep Anterior, Cervical Curve, and Atlanto-occipital
Region.
Running time: 60 Mins. Note this DVD
is in PAL format
The Trunk represents the whole
area between the pelvis and neck, includes the back, lateral and front
side. The first part of this series covers the Back (1 hr
23 mins). First working on the big muscles across the entire back, as
well as smaller muscles that attach and working on the vertebrae. It includes a shot gun technique for releasing
most shoulder and back
muscles: Erector spinae, Trapezius, and Levator Scapula. These powerful
techniques are supplemented with a number of highly effective prone
releases. This DVD also
covers Upper & Lower Back treatment. It considers coordinative
movement of the body with gravity, especially effective on
releasing strain on smaller muscles on the vertebrae (multifidus)
that may contribute to back pain.
The second part covers the Lateral & Anterior Aspects (1 hr
12 Mins). It shows you how to really release tight pecs. You'll be able
to make real inroads into all the problems that condition is associated
with - stiff shoulders, poor breathing and hunched backs. Freeing the
breathing is probably the single most important release there is - this
DVD shows you how to predictably get this release to occur.
Total running time: 2 Hrs. Note this DVD
is in PAL format
Direct Release Myofascial Technique - Intra-Oral,
Head & Face
by Michael Stanborough
TMJ is one of the most complex joint in the body, it
is also the most used joint in our body, its dysfunction and pain are common conditions and
are frequently present in clients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and
cervical whiplash. If you're not resolving headaches and stiff necks as
much as you and your clients would like it's probably because you're not
working with the myofascia of the TMJ. The lateral pterygoids,
temporalis and masseter are a trinity of tightness in many people.
With frequent references to the skeleton
to insure palpatory accuracy, this DVD guides the viewer through a range of
releases suitable for the face and intra-oral structures. Attention is
given to locating and treating the highly important Lateral pterygoids
as well as the deep portion of the masseter at the insertion on the
mandible. Techniques for the floor of the mouth and the tongue are also
shown. You will be delighted at how much further you can go to resolve
headaches, whiplash and of course, TMJ tension, when you learn how to
work with skill and precision inside the mouth.
Running time: 45 Mins. Note this DVD is in
PAL format
Direct Release Myofascial Technique - The Upper
Extremity
by Michael Stanborough
Carpal tunnel is an
epidemic. Over 50% of our clients report symptoms - some of them are
sub-clinical while many report a range of serious symptoms.
Impingement of the nerves in the arm can occur at a number of sites
- this DVD starts at the axilla and progresses distally through all
of the major sites where compression and restrictions can occur.
There is detailed work for the hand including the palmar fascia and
the flexor retinaculum. Working with the soft tissue is an essential component
of working with carpal tunnel and all peripheral neuropathies. This
DVD will make you an expert at dealing with this disabling
condition.
Running time: 66 Mins. Note this DVD
is in PAL format
Direct Release Myofascial Technique -
Set of 8 DVDs
by Michael Stanborough
Buy the
whole Direct Release Myofascial Techniques series (8 DVDs) and save
$100: The Feet, Thigh, Pelvis, Cervical, Trunk, IntraOral, Head & Face, and The Upper Extremity. Read
6 Questions to Michael
This 8 DVD
series focuses on MyoFascial Release (MFR) techniques, each technique emphasises
the most basic elements of relevant information for the
client, for the therapist, for the actual performance of the
technique, and to methods of incorporating client movement.
The commentaries are informative, thoughtful, and practical.
It is designed for intermediate to advanced bodyworkers having
basic Myofascial Release training.
This series contains heaps
of techniques described in detail, so that with time, practice, and experience,
you can master direct MFR. Key features in this series include: Detail Myofascial release techniques, Myofascial relation of skeletal landmarks,
Movement cues, Imagery for release, and Pediatric supplement.
This series of myofascial release techniques are gentle stretch built upon
the philosophies of John Barnes. This technique applies gentle stretch,
the hands tend to go with the restricted
fascia, hold the stretch, and allow the fascia to 'unwind' itself. The intention is to allow the body's
inherent ability for self correction returns, thus restoring the optimum
performance of the body.
This DVD has 7 lessons that include: Basic anatomy &
physiology of fascia, How to perform Myofascial Release; Experiencing
fascia in your own body; Releasing the superficial fascia; Skin rolling
and evaluation; Scar release techniques; Kinesthetic joint evaluation; Leg
and arm pulls; The anterior, posterior & lateral fascial lines; Cross
handed stretches; Transverse diaphragm releases. Running time: 75 mins
A continuation of Beginning Myofascial Release,
this video explores advanced techniques to balance
each area of the body. This DVD will show you how to evaluate postural
distortions, and use Myofascial Release to bring the body into balance.
Also learn to use other techniques such as the Rebound technique, Cross
fibre friction, forearm strokes, and Muscle Energy Technique in the
context of a Myofascial treatment. This video is divided into eight
lessons that include: Postural analysis from the front; Postural analysis
from the side; Releasing the rib cage; Balancing the feet; Leveling the
hips; Freeing the back; Releasing the shoulder; Loosening the neck; Freeing
the jaw; Loosening the scalp. Running time: 77 mins
from