Myofascial Release Therapy (MFRT)

Jen Cathey (owner) is certified in MFRT. She looks at the body on a fascial level instead of just muscles, attachment sites and ligaments, joints and tendons. She has had great success in treating clients who feel they have exhausted the use of over the counter and prescription drugs, doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors. While all those remedies and practitioners are important to finding wellness, understanding Fascia and its role in movement is paramount to recovery and restoration.

What is it?

Remember seeing or playing with those paper Chinese handcuffs?

The strength of the handcuff wasn’t really in the material it was made from, but more the connectiveness, the way it was woven together and then twisted that created its power.

Similarly, Fascia is a woven interconnected tissue that can become adhered, distorted and restricted. Your entire body is wrapped and weaved in it and it is also the single biggest pain receptor of the body.

Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to release and elongate.

Trauma, compensation, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures. This doesn’t show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.) and leaves sufferers baffled and many times hopeless.

The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each patient as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which our therapists use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, self-treatment instruction, enhancement of strength, improved flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.

Fascia Blasting

A lot can be done at home to improve and maintain the health of our fascial systems. Nutrition, exercise, rest and stress management go a long way in keeping fascia pliable and healthy.

Yet, there are also tools on the market that we can use at home to ensure optimal flexibility and health of our fascia. Jen provides workshops on how to use these tools to remove the appearance of cellulite, improve cardiovascular return, and nerve transmission for recovering from the toll we put on our bodies on a day to day basis. She also uses Fascia Blasting™ tools in many of her sessions.

NeuroKinetic Therapy

For an overly simplified explanation, our brain is a circuit board of information that tells our bodies what to do. (When anyone tells you “Oh, it’s all in your head!” Tell them, “ Why…Yes.”)

 So the integrity of the neurological connection between our brain and body movement (kinetics) determines our functionality. NKT discovers the disconnect between the brain and our muscle groups. For instance, a runner can use his trapezius muscles as he breathes instead of using his diaphragm. The traps are now pulling double duty which can lead to neck pain. Neck pain can lead to migraines and so on. NKT can help unravel all this and get you back to where you belong.

 This is done through manual muscle testing which allows us to find muscles that are weak or dysfunctional in relationship to other muscles. After finding these relationships, simple yet profound corrections can occur. Many times a scar or injury from long ago can be creating a dysfunctional movement pattern and NKT helps us clear the brain pattern supporting the dysfunction, bringing you relief and restoration.

Medical Condition Massage

Three specific issues that are commonly seen at Advanced Body Therapy are Plantar Fasciitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Frozen Shoulder. All of these can see great improvements and pain relief with bodywork designed specifically for them. The entire session is spent on one of these three areas and can take several visits.