Myofascial Release
You’re in pain! Maybe it’s an underlying nagging sensation, or maybe it’s an all-encompassing debilitating experience. Maybe it’s a new and sudden development. Or maybe you’ve been experiencing it for months or years…maybe even suffering in silence, afraid to tell someone how it really feels.
Have you been to numerous health care professionals and tried countless therapies with minimal or temporary results? Have you been told, “It’s all in your head,” or “There’s nothing we can do for you”? For many, answers and relief have come with the highly-specialized and effective hands-on therapy—Myofascial Release as taught by John F. Barnes. By addressing a physiological system that is virtually ignored in health care, people achieve lasting relief and return of function.
You know how the pain is affecting the quality of your life: limiting your activities, taking a toll on your emotional well-being, and hindering the quality of your relationships. You may even feel close to giving up hope of ever feeling better. Myofascial Release could help you return to a pain-free active lifestyle
Patient Resources
Click on the following link to download an intake form before your appointment. Please complete the requested information and bring it with you.
For More Info, Click Below:
How Does MFR Work?
Conditions Befitting
MFR Programs
Myofascial Unwinding
Beyond the Pain
Client Experiences
Recommended Resources
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment, contact us at 949.642.3424 or info@YourSerenityWellness.com.
To download an overview of our services including prices, click here.
Integrated Pain Relief Therapists
Karen Bauman, MA, NMT [KarenB@YourSerenityWellness.com] is the Integrated Pain Relief Clinic Director and Lead Therapist. Having experienced the profound depth of healing that comes through therapeutic relationships and bodywork, Karen chose to complete 1000 hours of training from the Western Institute of Neuromuscular Therapy (voted one of the top five massage schools in the nation) to provide a solid anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology background for therapeutic bodywork. Karen followed that with over 250 hours of specialized training in Myofascial Release, as taught by the foremost authority, John F. Barnes.
The Myofascial Release education has included advanced training in the anatomy and treatment of concerns related to the pelvic floor tissue. The training involved hands-on lab work and supervised clinical work to ensure a feel and understanding of external and internal structures of the pelvic floor.
Coming from a background as a professor and working with students who experienced academic challenges, Karen has learned to work with people at wherever they are in their healing and growth process. As a client, you can also trust that she understands on a very personal level the depths of what this treatment can uncover.
“It is a privilege when people invite me into their lives and I am allowed to share in their experiences. My hope is to create a safe, nurturing environment where you feel free to explore your unique healing process. I believe that you have the instinctual and intuitive wisdom available to let go of armoring and bracing patterns, so that you can heal, and to open to your Essence, which is ever seeking growth and development. I am happy to work with your doctors, dentists, psychologists, or other health professionals to provide you with the most comprehensive care for your healing. Thank you for trusting me with your care.”
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Jana Jensen, RN, MSN
Medical Services Director
Integrated Pain Relief Therapist
JanaJ@YourSerenityWellness.com
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How Does MFR Work?
Myofascial Release gently addresses the whole body by loosening restrictions in connective tissue called fascia. Restrictions are developed through trauma, injuries, surgery, defensive and protective postures, and repetitive stress injuries.
By applying gentle sustained pressure into fascial restrictions, with gentle stretches, and long holds, the fascia releases. Clients often feel this release, likening it to taffy stretching. As a result, pain is reduced, range of motion is restored, and various chronic symptoms are relieved—often when other forms of therapy have been unsuccessful.
Myofascial Release sessions and principles can be the tools that enable you to experience comfort, freedom of movement, and physical strength. Highly-trained Myofascial Release therapists can see and feel fascial restrictions. With this hands-on approach, your Myofascial Release therapist continuously evaluates and adjusts your sessions, taking into account the changes in your body from one moment to the next.
A range of pressures are used, from very light, even energy work, to very deep when considered beneficial. The feel of the tissue determines the appropriate amount of pressure. As a result, treatment is customized for you and no one is ever injured.
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Conditions Benefitting
Because fascia surrounds, connects, and interpenetrates every cell, Myofascial Release therapy is not diagnosis specific and can alleviate a wide range of problems. Indeed, most people can benefit. Myofascial Release has been known to be helpful for these common conditions:
- Chronic unresolved pain
- Neck & back pain
- Chronic Headaches
- Sacroilliac dysfunction
- Sciatica & Coccyodynia
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Cumulative Repetitive Trauma Syndrome
- Post surgical rehabilitation
- Adhesions & Scars
- Radiculopathies - upper or lower extremities
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Jaw pain & TMJ Dysfunction
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sports injuries
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Impingement
- Digestive challenges
- Women’s and Men’s Health
- Pelvic Pain
- Incontinence
- Pre- and Post-partum care
- Infant Birth Trauma & Colic
- Stress Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
… and numerous other physiological conditions
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MFR Programs
Healing Sessions
One-on-one 60 minute sessions utilize various Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy called Myofascial Unwinding, providing quality care that is cost effective and achieves lasting results. The first appointment is a 90 minute comprehensive Initial Evaluation to evaluate the entire body visually and through touch.
By the time most people seek out help, the pain and dysfunction has often progressed to the point that 2~3 sessions per week are most helpful in the beginning. The frequency helps to break up the neuromuscular holding patterns and sets in place new patterns for freedom of movement. Your healing goals will determine the frequency of sessions.
During MFR sessions, trapped waste products are relased as the tissue let’s go.Help your body eliminate these waste products quickly and continue the healing process with a 30 minute FIR Sauna after your Myofascial Release sessions.
STeP into Freedom™ (Self Treatment Program)
In conjunction with your hands-on Healing Sessions, STeP into Freedom sessions give you the tools to relieve your own pain and enhance your overall function, accelerating your momentum towards a pain-free active life. As you advance with your Myofascial Release sessions, the STeP into Freedom sessions guide you towards independence so that you progressively require fewer hands-on sessions. Specialized STeP into Freedom tools are available for purchase at Serenity Wellness Center.
Group Myofascial Stretching & Unwinding
For those clients who enjoy the fun and support of interacting with others on the healing journey, we provide monthly Saturday sessions. These group sessions focus on the needs of the participants, leading them to deeper levels of healing. See the calendar of events to know when the next group session will be held.
Comprehensive Intensive Care
If you have had chronic, long-lasting symptoms or have a more extensive condition, an intensive program has proven to be the most effective and efficient way for your body to return to a state of health. Intensives are one or two-week programs of multiple sessions a day.
With the frequent treatments, new changes in your tissue are stabilized and neuromuscular holding patterns do not have an opportunity to return to an earlier state. In addition, the frequent time provides you with the support needed to be able to let go of holding and bracing patterns, both physically and emotionally.
The optimal intensive program will be mutually decided by you and your therapist so that it is customized to meet your unique needs.
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Introductory Lecture:
Frequently we conduct lectures on how Integrated Pain Relief can help you and your friends or family is held as our Tuesday Health Talk. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about MFR andintroduce your family or friends to this treatment so they can support you on your healing journey. Check out our upcoming events.
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Myofascial Unwinding
Myofascial Unwinding is a natural process of allowing the body to spontaneously move. In a safe space, and when gravity is unloaded from the system by the therapist, the body, when allowed, will move into positions it was in when it was injured or traumatized.
Both the therapist and client allow the body to move without attempting to consciously control it. In this process, restrictions are released, and the holding and bracing patterns that were subconsciously developed are made conscious. Frequently, memories, beliefs, or emotions associated with these positions in space will arise. This creates awareness, interrupting the cycles that have been perpetuating the myofascial restrictions and allowing the opportunity for new choices.
To better understand the significance of the unwinding process, click here to read a recently published article written by John F. Barnes.
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Beyond the Pain
For many, the transformative power of Myofascial Release extends beyond the immediate relief of symptoms. Initially, clients come because of their pain, usually after it has become a dominating influence in their lives. But in time, they often learn how the pain carries a message about healthier ways of being and acting in life. This is often a profound experience that leads clients to even deeper, more transformative levels of healing.
Myofascial Release principles help bring the body and mind into alignment, beginning the journey that awakens you to the Health that is in you. You have the instinctual and intuitive wisdom required to let go of the armoring, bracing patterns, tension, and any ways of perceiving life that are self-limiting.
As we allow ourselves to soften into the physical restrictions, as we acknowledge the pain without resistance, we learn to soften into the emotional, mental, and spiritual restrictions—without judgment, but with awareness, just noticing what is. We begin to allow ourselves to be moved along the path of least resistance. We learn to be a witness to the conditions in our lives and develop a deep appreciation for our present experiences. As a result, Myofascial Release principles can empower you to live in an ever increasing state of mental clarity, emotional tranquility, and feeling of wholeness.
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“I first began MFR treatment when I was bed-ridden with pain. I had been going to many doctor’s appointments, specialists, trips to the ER, have had many medical tests run, and taken medications that only mask instead of cure my pain. Today I am not stuck in bed, so many of my symptoms have been alleviated, and I am able to take care of my family & notice my body is more balanced than it’s ever been. The knowledge I learned for self-treatment is phenomenal & will be with me the rest of my life to help others. Our therapist’s passion to optimize patients’ lives is a true gift. Our family cannot express the tremendous gratitude we feel for her commitment to this field. As I continue on with my treatments, I am confident I will continue to progress in finding my way to a healthy independent life again.” [J.N. Irvine, CA]
“I visited Serenity Wellness Center for a one-week intensive in Myofascial Release. These sessions with have significantly helped me in a number of areas. One, her intensive therapy has allowed me to stop using anti-inflammatory drugs for chronic and debilitating head, neck, and shoulder pain. Because the pain issues are no longer overwhelming, I’m better able to accept and work through them. Two, her approach facilitates my understanding and management of my own healing process. I use what I learn from her to stretch and release on my own.” [K.B. Albuquerque, NM]
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Articles:
Ten Tips to Enhance Your Treatment Sessions
Feeling Under the Pain
Emotions
Flare ups
MFR Talk Chatline
For clients and therapists to interact about healing with MFR. The MFR Talk Chatline is a great place to ask questions and get more information from a variety of people. (Because of the potential volume of emails, it is recommended that you open a free separate email account such as yahoo or hotmail. Direct MFR Talk mail to this account so it does not add extra volume to your personal email account.)
Books, CDs, & DVDs:
All of these reading and listening materials are available for you to enjoy in our STeP into Freedom self-treatment room. Come before and stay after your sessions, relaxing in our anti-gravity chair, feeding your mind with healing materials. Some of these products are also available for purchase at Serenity Wellness Center.
- Healing Ancient Wounds by John F. Barnes
- Inner Awareness Audio CD by John F. Barnes
- Myofascial Freedom DVD by John F. Barnes
- Fireside Chat by John F. Barnes
- Listening by Lee Coit
- Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
- Loving What Is (best on audio CD) by Byron Katie
- A Thousand Names for Joy (best on audio CD) by Byron Katie
- Your Inner Physician by John Upledger
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