John Barnes

[Pompal 09.]

Hi.. Has anyone seen John Barnes Myofascial release? I am thinking of getting it, but it is quite expensive.

 

[Mimi resurrected]

Are you asking if we've seen a video?I've attended a 2 day workshop and been trading time with a therapist (every month for over a year) that has taken most of the classes offered by Barnes, and she has also worked with him in his clinic....you have to pay quite a bit for that privledge.  It is a good program, a good modality.

 

[herblaura]

John Barnes

Hi Thanks for the info. yes, sorry I mean the video, I saw on the website it is sold for $80 each

 

[Amii]

Mick,

Can you either PM me, or answer here, as to how much you think the John Barnes Technique does for you - what is different about it, from other techniques -- is it something really to shoot for in the realm of seminars - are there other modalities that are similar -- etc. etc.?

Thanks in advance.

 

[smdiner]

Folks in the John Latz/Connective Tissue Massage tradition sometimes claim they do in one session what the Barnes people do in four, but then again not everyone can exactly "endure" CTM

One of my teachers, whose specialty is myofascial release, said that a good indication of where to use MR is when you've been doing quality deep tissue/NMT and not getting the results you want.

Supposed to be very good for postural issues, and chronic pain.

My understanding of it is that you gently stretch the fascia until it goes into its sol state, and then "follow" the releasing as it goes where it needs to go.

 

[.Vibrant1.]

Well said, Ego, I doubt that I could say it any better. Hah, I know I couldn't. And you are right, NMT is intense. (in other words, it hurts like hell!)

Tex, I do think it is a great modality, of great benefit to clients, esp those with FMS or an inability to handle deep pressure. Sure, Barnes does use some pressure, but there are lots of techniques that don't...like the arm pull.

Supine...
I start the arm pull by just pulling the arm/hand down toward the feet, slowly, slow is the key to MFR, swing it up/out/around, pull the arm straight out from the shoulder, (at this point, work can be done with the scapula, pecs, SITS, etd) and finally straight out away from the head. I then take the arm so it is pointing at the ceiling, bend the elbow so I have a good handle, lol, my hands are around the bicep and slide up to the bent elbow, I pull/lift up, pulling the shoulder off the table. Now by "juggling" the arm between my hands, I move around the head of the table (imagine we've been pulling the left arm, so now I'm on the right side of the client, her arm(bicep area) is in my left hand, I'm pulling the arm across the body. I reach over and hook the scapula with my right hand, pull on each. I move the shoulder all around, up to the ear, down as low as it will go, etc. I hook the shoulder with my left hand and gently push down on the ASIS or whatever the hipbone is called so that the torso twists and stretches. If this is not clear, all are welcome to come here for a demonstration. Just call first, ok?

I've never had an issue with draping, the sheet always behaves, stays where it is supposed to. That said, a lot of MFR is done with some apparal, sports bra etc.

Keep in mind that I've just taken the weekend myofascial mobility class as well as doing trades every month with someone that has been thru all of Barnes classes, including working in his clinic. I really really really wanted to take the first 3, the vacation series last May, as they were in Minneapolis, but stuff got in the way! I do plan to take it someday.

Similar? Sure, like Ego said, NMT is similiar, and I think that Rosen Method can be similar. Some is like Bonnie Prudden's TrP. I think it is a great tool to have to incorporate, or to specialize. mk

 

[Professor Wonderful]

Thanks for the info ya'll. Definitely helped me become more knowledgeable.

More experiences and info are always welcome!

 

[Clint]

I also trade with a friend in Madison (WI) who has went to Sedona to take the Barnes training there and then worked another week or so in his clinic afterward putting it into practice.
I had recieved a couple massages before she went for CE in Sedona, so I have noticed a marked difference in her massages.
She tells me that it's hard to get her regular clients to let her use the MFR on them, they're all into the swedish/relaxation... they just don't like the idea of no oil. She's always excited when I come that she gets to use all her MFR tricks because I've taken a little MFR with Bob King... and have always found it to be very effective for me.

I also have taken some of Bob King's MFR courses with someone who has taken both John Barnes' CE courses and Bob King's MFR course offerings... and she told me that she prefers Bob King's. *Shrug*

*sigh* I LOVE MFR

 

[Pompal 09.]

Just some clarification... I didn't say NMT was similar, but CTM... just in that they both work with fascia, but in very different manners.

I mentioned NMT in the context of using fascial techniques when NMT didn't seem to be working.

 

[niu]

John Barnes MFR Classes

I took two of John Barne's MFR classes several years ago and was frustrated in MFR 1 by the 125 or more students in the room. It was very difficult to get the TA's time as they ran from table to table. So...I didn't really get much out of the seminar and it wasn't cheap!
MFR 2 had only about 50 students but still seemed like they could use more TAs.
I feel like I learned more about MFR taking the Upledger CranialSacral Classes-less students, more TAs, cheaper fees.
Just my 2 cents
Rubmyster

 

[Automatic Avalanche]

Just some clarification... I didn't say NMT was similar, but CTM... just in that they both work with fascia, but in very different manners.

I mentioned NMT in the context of using fascial techniques when NMT didn't seem to be working.

CTM, yes that is the one that is intense...thanks...sorry for the confusion.

 

[krissstybee]

No worries. They can both be intense, in different ways. I really like receiving CTM though. I'd like to find a regular trade partner in SF who does it or MFR... I don't care how they do it, just make my fascia friends with me!

 

[Jessica Rabbit 7 ???????]

Barnes/Latz/Rolf/Upledger

I am an LMT who specializes mainly in John-Barnes-style myofascial release. I have also trained in John Latz's Connective Tissue Massage and John Upledger's Craniosacral therapy (hmmmmm......lots of Johns in this business.) I've not taken any structural integration/rolfing courses outside of an intro with Tom Myers, but I've had enough Rolfing done that I feel I can compare it with the other modalities.

The Latz CTM work is designed to loosen the superficial layer of connective tissue. Even though the work is intense and feels deep, you're actually targeting the layer of fascia before you get to the muscles. There's a lot of specificity in learning to "hook" into just the right layer and to judge your speed and pressure and your own body mechanics so that you're creating a release rather than just plowing through. I was very impressed with the training, and I felt dynamic changes in my own body just from my fellow students working on me. When the superficial fascia becomes tight, it's rather like being shrink-wrapped, so whereever you loosen the fascia, it makes the entire sheath looser. That makes it especially effective when the client presents with a lot of whole-body compression.

Rolfing is more specific, utilizing postural analysis and focusing on a specific series of goals session by session. Rolfing often uses active client participation, and the focus tends to be deeper in the body than CTM work, targeting the myofascia and deep fascia. The techniques and body mechanics are different than CTM, but the experience of receiving it is much the same...deep and intense.

MFR is my favorite. The idea is that you locate areas of tight fascia through visual postural analysis and through kinesthetic sense. You then place hands on either side of the tight area, sink in, and gently stretch until you reach the "barrier" (where the tissue does not feel easily elastic). You then wait for the barrier to release (sort of a melting sensation), all the while allowing for gentle unwinding of the tissue. I get a sense that while Rolfing and CTM use force to stretch out the fascia, MFR lets it happen, and actually creates more lasting changes on a molecular level. But it takes much more time (minutes per stretch.)

Craniosacral therapy is much like MFR, gently stretching and waiting for the barrier to release. If you develop a touch for one, you'll likely enjoy the other. But CST focuses mainly on releasing strain patterns in the meninges and on allowing the cranial bones freedom of movement.

All in all, I really enjoy knowing all of those techniques. I use all of them, and there are some instances where one is clearly superior to others or where they blend seamlessly together. I think the competence of the practitioner is more important than the actual technique used. In selecting CEUs, choose something that interests you and then excel in it. It's always a good idea to have a few sessions of whatever you're thinking of studying to make sure it's for you. It's worth paying for the sessions and travel time, and you go into the class knowing what it's *supposed* to feel like.

Off to my first Trager class next week. Very excited..... I think this will also blend in seamlessly with my other modalities.

 

[TillieDillie]

should also mention that the most effective treatment I ever had was a 4-day intensive that combined MFR with Rolfing and Trager.

There's never going to be that one perfect technique that solves it all for everyone. Combining techniques, either in the same session or in a series of sessions seems to be the magic.