Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web from head to foot without interruption. Trauma, posture or inflammation can create a binding down of fascia resulting in excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, osseous structures and/or organs. Since many of the standard tests such as x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans electromyography, etc., do not show the fascial restrictions, it is thought that an extremely high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but most go undiagnosed.

The viscoelastic quality of the fascial system causes it to resist a suddenly applied force. This explains why the “old form” of myofascial release which was an attempt to force a system that cannot be forced produced pain and limited results.

The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach consists of the gentle application of sustained pressure into the fascial restrictions. 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 elongate.