Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Wear To Treatment?
Myofascial Release (MFR) is performed on bare skin, but being fully undressed is not necessary. Loose fitting clothing like shorts and a stretchy tank top or sports bra and shorts for women (no leggings please), and loose gym shorts for men. And because MFR is performed on the skin, please do NOT apply lotions or creams on the day of your visit.
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Do You Accept Insurance?
I do not accept insurance as this allows me the freedom to provide the highest quality treatment possible with the best possible outcomes.
If your insurance has a Massage Therapy benefit, we can provide you a receipt for service for reimbursement.
Most Health Savings Accounts that accept "Massage Therapy" is covered, and a receipt for service can be provided.
Are Tips Expected or Accepted?
No. I believe this is supportive healthcare, not a service. The best tip you can give me is a 5-star review on Yelp or Google, a referral, or re-book for another session.
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If you have any questions, please contact us.
Karen at Dynamic Myofascial Release in San Diego, is ready to help you feel better!
After Your MFR Session
Any of the following results are an indication that your body is restructuring,
and normal after an MFR session.
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Muscle Soreness: You might feel muscle soreness similar to a good workout at the gym. Just keep hydrating and moving through the soreness.
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Hydration: Be sure to drink twice as much water as you normally would drink; especially for the 2 hours following your session. This will also help prevent headaches after your session.
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Dreams: You might have strange dreams following your session. These could be your body’s way of unwinding and releasing old traumas.
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Emotions: Since MFR can release emotions stored in the tissues, your emotions might feel easily triggered. Just allow them to surface and express them in a safe setting.
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Epsom Salts: If you feel your session was exceptionally intense, soaking in an Epson Salt bath could be soothing.
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Different Sensations: Sometimes as our bodies shift with MFR, you might be aware of sensations in different areas. Just unwind through, and feel the sensations.
Have any other results that are not listed? Please feel free to connect us at any time or email us directly. Sometimes, if a session is particularly intense, the dramatic changes in our bodies may trigger a healing crisis. This is a normal part of the full body healing process.
Also, if you have not rebooked your next appointment, please do so as soon as possible. Since our injuries are cumulative, our healing is also cumulative. Receiving weekly (or every-other-week) treatments, along with your home stretches, will increase your healing results.
Shared with permission from Frances Nicolais, CMT @ www.mfrcenter.com
What is a Healing Crisis?
DEFINITION
A healing crisis is a temporary worsening of symptoms that occurs when the body is going through the process of healing itself.
Since most people base their health on how good they feel, they may think the natural health program they are using is hurting them when a healing crisis takes place. But nothing could be further from the truth. It occurs when the body “retraces” old injuries, wounds, infections or other imbalances from its past.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms that accompany a healing crisis may include: headache, flushing, bruising, fever, nausea, joint pains, feelings of being spaced out, unusual fatigue, insomnia, sleepiness, congestion, strong emotions, depression, irritability, muscle cramps, aches and pains, constipation, diarrhea, hot/cold flashes, night sweats and many other symptoms which are often cold and/or flu-like. Your symptoms may also mimic the original symptoms you sought treatment for. The symptoms and pain of the healing crisis are often more intense than the disease or illness that is being treated. Remember, it is only temporary. And it is the path to renewed health.
REASONS
Sometimes this experience can feel just as intense as it did when you had the original injury, illness, or whatever else cause the symptoms. Why does this happen? One reason is that when you increase your awareness, you feel how much pain is actually there. Most of us have tuned out some of the pain. With increased awareness, you are now feeling the pain fully. This increase in signs and symptoms is your body’s way of bringing your awareness to the conditions which you are dealing with every day, a condition you “tune out” and don’t feel.
Another reason a healing crisis occurs is that you were getting into the deeper layers of the restrictions. As you go deeper into the restrictions, you get closer to the most sensitive areas. This is the process we compare to peeling back the layers, like the layers of an onion. As you get into the deeper layers, not only might the symptoms intensify, but other sensations or emotions might also surface.
LENGTH
Typically, the healing crisis lasts 24 – 48 hours after a treatment, but can last longer. At times, it can feel like you are taking two steps
forward and one step backwards. Just remember the healing process isn’t a linear one. There will be ups and downs; this is normal.
PROCESS
It can be very scary when your body goes into a healing crisis. Remember John F. Barnes’s style of Myofascial Release is never injurious. Using the self-treatment techniques given to you by your therapist, will help you through the process. A regular self-treatment program, combined with your therapy sessions, will help speed up your healing process.
It also helps to spend some quiet time bringing awareness into your body. Try to sink deeper into whatever feelings come up. Let yourself feel your symptoms fully and get in touch with what lies underneath. Give your body permission to let go of anything no longer serving you, and give yourself permission to do and feel what you need in order to heal.
As you tune in, you may experience memories, emotions, shaking, sweating…the list could go on and on. The key is to let yourself feel without any judgment or holding back. Allowing yourself to feel whatever comes up fully and letting it clear, is the key component to the healing process. Sometimes the purpose of these flare-ups is to help us tap into something – an emotion, a belief, an awareness – that needs to be felt so the restriction can release and healing can occur at a deeper level.
SUMMARY
Healing crises are good even though they make you feel bad. They are a sign that the healing process chosen is working by eliminating the body of toxins, impurities and imbalances in the body.
Take your time to feel your way through, but be sure to continue your treatment as soon as you feel ready. The healing crisis lets you know that you are on the right path to renewed health and vigor.
Authors:
​Cindy Covell – “A Patient’s Guide to Understanding Myofascial Release”
Frances Nicolais, CMT – www.mfrcenter.com
Cindy Murdoch – www.underground.com
Shared with permission from Frances Nicolais, CMT @ www.mfrcenter.com