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MYOFASCIAL UNWINDING

Continuing education is a requirement for maintaining our Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy licenses.  This June, 6 of the Hands On Physical Therapy (HOPT) therapists journeyed together to Sedona to do a Myofascial Release class.  It is truly a rare event for all of the HOPT therapists to be able to gather together at the same time, in the same place, for any event.  This particular class was “ Advanced Unwinding”.  Many of you reading this  may  be familiar to unwinding as part of your myofascial release treatment while others may be  asking “what is unwinding”?  Unwinding is a spontaneous movement that is inherent within the tissues.  We are approximately 60-70% water.  Fascia is the most abundant tissue in our body and is continuous from head to toe without interruption.   When we quiet down and allow ourselves to feel inside, this spontaneous movement can happen anywhere in the body.  As tissues release, stored memories and emotions can be released.  If this is a new concept to you, hopefully, this information will inspire you to take your myofascial release treatment to a new and deeper level.

 

I have known for a long time how truly blessed I am to have such a talented and dedicated group of therapists all gravitate to HOPT.  It has made Hands On Physical Therapy/ Advanced Massage Therapy (AMT)  a place that I believe is like none other.  I have to say that this was validated every day, several times during our Advanced Unwinding class.  So, here is a small example of how the unwinding process can go.  The therapist is quiet and centered (paying attention to what they are feeling in the patient’s body).  The patient is also quiet and centered.  Maybe the therapist is doing a simple arm pull.  The patient may feel movement in their head and neck and  allow it to  move.  Maybe the other arms starts to move as well.  The therapist follows the movement without forcing, stoping where they stop, waiting for the tissue to release.  Unwinding can be localized to a particular area.  Or, it can be more wide spread through the whole body.  It can be simply mechanical tissue releases or it can involve the release of memories, emotions as some areas may be holding trauma and the release of that area allows the stored memory or emotion to surface.  Now here’s where the fun comes for us.  In order for us to learn this technique,  we have to experience it ourselves.   This is what makes the Myofascial Release technique as taught by John Barnes  so powerful.   This experience involves and requires real participation on the part of the therapist.  Now you know a little secret about every therapist that works at HOPT/AMT.  Myofascial Release has changed every one of our lives in a very deep way.  It’s not only what we do, it’s how we live.  We all experienced the magic of letting go again over this 4 day class.  We remembered what it feels like to hold on to stuff that no longer serves us.  We felt the contrast of the lightness that settles into the body after we allow ourselves to go into an area of discomfort and wait for the release to come.  We all supported each other and bonded, not only as therapists but as fellow human beings.

 

I felt inspired as a therapist, renewed in my being.   Advanced Unwinding is one of my favorite classes and I have probably taken this class at least 7  times.  Each time is different because I am different and I feel and interpret things from a whole different perspective.  There were many “ahhh” experiences for me this time around but what I took home as the most powerful memory was an example that we had of “Reaction vs Response”.  Reaction is what we generally do.  Something comes up for us.....a perception of pain for example, and we “react” to what our experience of that pain has been for us in the past.  This may or may not be what we would experience at this current time however, reaction limits us to this past experience.  The response mode allows us to experience the event completely in the moment without the past perceptions.  So much of our life experiences are based on what we have experienced in the past.  This is what we know, what we are comfortable with even if it’s not pleasant.   Living in the response mode is where real freedom and joy resides.  

 

As this was truly a group experience for us, I asked the rest of the group to share something that was meaningful for each of them.

 

Michael  “My ah-ha and aaagh moments have come in the wake of an amazing physical and emotional release as the demo for a technique up on stage during class.  The whole experience bespeaks of the tangential process that is true healing and effects change on mental, emotional and spiritual levels as well as the physical. Some Native cultures call this place “the healing or dream lodge”.  When in this space I experienced the big picture overview of the events that shaped my life and their relationship to each other. This overview helped change my view of these events from a “victim” perspective to one of compassion, self empowerment and personal responsibility.  In the process of sitting next to and letting go of these personal drama’s that have shaped my life,  I had to look at the stuff that was holding me back from fully engaging in my life. In making the choice to move through it, I have found a deeper sense of joy and inner freedom.  Such a compassionate universe we are intimately part of. I believe we are ultimately called to  view our lives from the perspective of the “Big Self”  where we are more observer and less prone to the cause and effect of typical daily dramas.”

 

Erin     “What struck me so strongly this weekend over and over was the concept of holding space and creating an environment for change.  As therapists, we are also holding space for you, our patients.  Our little secret is that we don’t actually heal, fix, or cure people.  Through myofascial release, we create the environment for your bodies and your essence to heal itself.  Sometimes that is a fast process, sometimes not.  

 

It is our goal however, to see you in your wellness- not in your disfunction.  To see you healthy, powerful, and happy.  To see you as that which you really are, and then hold that space for you so you might be able to become more than you imagined.

And that, is amazing for me.  

 

Patti   “Not only did the experience create a deeper bond for the group but it created a deeper bond for  the techniques that I perform.  The class was renewing, refreshing, 

recharging and rewarding.For me this experience was so much about my heart and my emotions.  The power lays within our emotions, often the emotions that we store deep 

inside.  My favorite "Johnism" is "Without awareness there is no choice". It is with 

this unfolding of awareness that the changes take place.  And this is where 

I feel truly blessed... This work is a lifelong imprint, it continues to  change my life both personally and professionally.”

 

Ashley    “Throughout the entire seminar I was consistently reminded of the magic that can occur when I allowed myself the time and patience to connect. Connect first deep within myself, then from that space form a connection with others. I was able to shut down the self defeating part of me. The part that tells me "you're not good enough, working hard enough, doing this right....." All these thoughts that are based on old belief systems and patterns that just no longer serve me. Instead I found a space that was truly me to take action from. A space where I am trusting of my intuition, my strength, my knowing; that is my real essence. When I came from that space, things just happened. What a powerful lesson this was for me as a therapist and in my personal life. When I am more present and happy inside myself, I can better support and facilitate the healing of another with ease and joy. How can I now come from this place always in everyday life? My inspiration and creativity has been heightened and renewed. I can't remember a time when it has felt so good to be in my own skin!”

 

Yvonne  “Sharing such a profound and powerful experience with my friends on staff was such an incredible gift. I feel more deeply connected to them now. It's a special bond - words cannot describe it. 

We learned many new techniques I can't wait to use, but more importantly, this course challenged me to explore my true potential, as a therapist and as a person. I truly believe this experience has moved me way beyond my comfort zone. What an amazing journey this past year has been. I am so blessed and grateful to be a part of the HOPT team and the wonderful patients we serve.”

 

We all thought that it would be fun to share some of our favorite “Johnisms”.  “Johnisms” are words of wisdom that John will impart to us as he is guiding and teaching us.  Here are a few examples:

 

"Without awareness there is no choice". 

 

" A hero is someone who in fear, still takes action. "

 

“Healing is not an event. It is a process”

 

“the inner eye goes blind when it only wants to see "why"

 

“Detach from the outcome”

 

“Love your patients enough to detach from their outcome”

 

We left Sedona knowing that we were all a little different going home then when we arrived 4 days before.  We knew that there would be subtle, but palpable changes that we would all feel in our working space and  our personal lives.  We all left feeling grateful and very alive.

Jody Hendryx, PT, LMT