Mechanical Fascia Therapy was established to exclusively address mechanical dysfunctions of the fascia system. The main outcome is to provide an effective health treatment that achieves permanent results without side effects for the patient. Mechanical dysfunctions can be of physical, physical-emotional, or purely emotional origin. These dysfunctions may be acquired at birth and throughout life.
The application of manual therapy to achieve health objectives has been present in human history for centuries. Manual contact between individuals has been based on knowledge of human anatomical parts. Over the years, the most common methods involved applying manual pressure to the skin, muscles, and joints of the individual. Classical anatomy primarily relied on organized information from cadaver studies. Despite years of accumulating data on the human body, more developed treatment options have remained tied to pharmacology and surgery.
The lack of specific knowledge about the muscular system has historically limited the understanding of body mobility as a mechanical unit. This gap in knowledge has been largely due to insufficient recognition of the fascia system, which is fundamentally responsible for the body's mechanical mobility and, consequently, all mechanical dysfunctions.
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still was one of the few doctors to highlight the importance of the fascia system in the human body. He developed a form of medicine known as Osteopathic Medicine, which remains valid and utilized in the United States. In his second book published in September 1899, Dr. Still dedicated an entire chapter to the fascia system.
Despite this pioneering focus, effective treatment methods for the fascia system were not developed until much later. In the 1970s, physical therapist John Barnes identified the fascia system as the myofascial system and documented his treatment methods, building on Dr. Still's earlier work.
My professional journey with fascia began with a myofascial therapy course taught by physical therapist Andrzej Pilat in January 2000, followed by my first osteopathy seminar at the Osteopathic School of Madrid.
From January 2000 to December 2002, I underwent combined training in myofascial therapy and osteopathy, which also included instruction in McKenzie Technique and Cranio-Sacral Therapy. However, there was little connection between these two treatment modalities until I arrived in the United States on June 26, 2003.
It was on June 22, 2007, that I finally began to establish a connection between fascia and osteopathy, thanks to the foundational contributions of Dr. Still and John Barnes.
Mechanical Fascia Therapy (MFT) is a manual therapy technique focused exclusively on treating the fascia system. Its initial objective is to identify, organize, and treat mechanical dysfunctions in the fascia, ultimately resulting in structural changes in the patient and achieving lasting health outcomes.
1. The structure of the fascia is the primary focus of treatment.
2. Treatment through mechanical manipulation of the fascia addresses the entire body.
3. Patient symptoms and signs are related to the fascia.
4. Continuous evaluation of the fascia is essential.
5. Identification of mechanical dysfunctions in the fascia is fundamental.
6. Recognition of residual forces is crucial.
7. Identification of circumferential forces is necessary (entry and residual points of force).
8. Treatment organization prior to application is vital.
Despite the complexity of human anatomy, focusing on the fascia system can yield permanent mechanical results and enhance health levels. The human body can be treated as an indivisible unit, and the fascia system uniquely facilitates this therapeutic approach. All patient symptoms can be connected to the fascia system through the identification and organization of residual forces from physical and emotional events in their lives.
The most specific information for mechanical fascia treatment comes from verbal evaluation with the patient. This assessment allows for two well-defined situations:
1. It empowers the patient to transition from a passive to an active role in their health, understanding that their symptoms have a mechanical origin linked to the fascia.
2. It enables the therapist to analyze and organize subsequent treatment based on the patient's symptoms.
This aims to gather precise information about the patient's pregnancy, labor, and delivery experiences, such as the duration of labor, use of forceps, or any complications like the umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck. This information is crucial for identifying dysfunctions in the meninges.
This seeks data about any physical events (accidents, falls, surgeries) and emotional events (loss, divorces, stress) that may have contributed to the patient's current symptoms.
The second question helps the therapist relate all symptoms to the physical clinical presentation of pain and functional limitations, allowing for a comprehensive treatment plan.
Once the cause of the problem is identified as physical, emotional, or both, the treatment application becomes straightforward. The focus should first be on the oldest residual forces or the earliest mechanical dysfunction in the patient's life.
In the human body, treatment priority lies in three areas: the hands, face, and feet. Treatment organization depends on whether the patient has experienced an external force. If so, the therapist must structure their approach based on four components of force. If the symptoms arose without external forces, three components should be utilized.
Once the therapist has organized the treatment plan, it should be executed according to time frames, patient reactions, and defined treatment goals.
1. The patient’s position should be properly set.
2. The therapist’s position should facilitate the application of techniques.
3. The therapist should explain the treatment steps and remain flexible to any needed changes based on the patient's reactions.
After treatment, the patient should be invited to change positions gradually, and the therapist should ask about their sensations and any feelings of pain. It’s important to inform the patient about possible reactions after treatment, emphasizing that these are normal and not a cause for concern.
Approximately 90% of patients seek consultation due to chronic pain, while the remaining 10% may present functional issues. All types of mobility discomfort and mechanical dysfunction can be addressed through this therapy.
Following mechanical fascia treatment, a new stage of structural recovery begins. Recommendations should be specific and focused on promoting structural changes. Continuous explanations about these changes are essential during treatment sessions. Stretching exercises and posture correction techniques will be indicated as structural changes occur.
The therapist should emphasize that the body can self-organize once residual forces are removed, encouraging patients to transition from passive participants to active contributors in their recovery, ultimately leading them to overcome their mechanical dysfunctions.
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