FAQ
If you have questions about our therapy please send us an email and we will post your results.
"What is fascia?"
Fascia is a three-dimensional network of densely woven, incredibly tough connective tissue that surrounds every organ, muscle, nerve, bone and vessel in the entire body. Every part of the body is connected to other parts of the body by the fascia, like yarn in a sweater or threads of a spider web. For example, headaches can be caused by a tight lower back, a shoulder problem can be caused from a hip injury and jaw pain can be caused from restrictions in the pelvic floor. When we understand that everything is connected through the fascia, we can treat the root of the problem (maybe the hip) for your shoulder pain instead of only treating the shoulder.
In a normal healthy state, the fascial system maintains the body in equilibrium through a delicate balance of tension and elasticity. With the proper amount of tension, it helps support the efficient alignment of your bones while being elastic enough to permit full, unrestricted movement.
In response to physical trauma or inflammation, fascia begins losing its pliability. Slips and falls, whiplash, surgery or just habitually poor posture create fascial restrictions that accumulate over time. Once these restrictions start exerting abnormal pressure on bones, joints, nerves, blood vessels and even organs, they unbalance the system, creating pain both locally and in seemingly unrelated areas of your body. While your pain is all too real, the true cause is too often overlooked by conventional medical practitioners since fascial restrictions do not show up on ordinary diagnostic tests such as MRI's and X-rays.
"What is Myofascial Release?"
Myofascial release (MFR) is a highly effective yet gentle manual technique that stretches restricted connective tissue, corrects movement dysfunction, and alleviates pain at its root source. QPTW's myofascial release practice is based on the methods developed by physical therapist John F. Barnes utilizing a whole-body, hands-on approach to the evaluation and treatment of the human structure. The primary focus is on the fascial system.
"What is unwinding?"
Do you ever "just know" what your body needs in the moment to feel better? Unwinding is the body's own inherent self-correcting mechanism. We see unwinding in our pets, when they shake, stretch and twist in random and spontaneous ways. Humans do this too, when we let go of controlling the body (most often in our sleep). This three-dimensional movement allows for the release of fascial tensions in ways that don't happen when we are controlled and still. When the body is free to move into three-dimensional positions in space, releases can occur physically and emotionally. Depending how much someone can "let go", experiences can include memories , physical sensations, emotions, visions and sometimes even pain . Unwinding allows the body to learn, shift and heal , physically and emotionally by tapping into deep fascial restrictions and allowing them to release.
"How is MFR different from massage?"
Under sustained, low intensity pressure fascia slowly lengthens and eventually releases more permanently. To get a release that won't immedietly spring back, Myofascial therapists stay with a stretch and follow a restriction three-dimensionally for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. A low intensity, sustained stretch is necessary because connective tissue reacts differently to stretching than muscle tissue. While muscle responds to a relatively firm stretch, the collagen in fascia is extremely tough and resistant to quick, hard stretching. Myofascial therapists stretch a fascial restriction to its barrier, wait for a release to continue, go to the next barrier, and so on. Eventually you will regain the fascial flexibility that will once again allow the muscles and joints to move as they are designed to.
"How is MFR related to mind/body work?"
Complete healing involves more than structural improvements alone. To create positive, lasting changes in the body, a shift in awareness is necessary as well. The relaxing setting at QPTW in combination with the slow, deliberate nature of myofascial techniques and the focused intention of the therapist create the right environment for these shifts to occur. The first step in this process is to calm the nervous system by relaxing your body and quieting your mind. In this state, you can listen more consciously to the experience of your own body. With this enhanced awareness, you can start to let go of old patterns, making way for a freer, healthier way of being. Often this involves the unwinding process mentioned above. Transformational coaching is also offered as a service to help guide the patient along the healing journey.
"Why should I come here instead of another PT clinic that takes my insurance?"
At QPTW, our approach includes the most forward thinking techniques; Myofascial release, Unwinding, Total Motion Release, Craniosacral therapy, and a holistic approach to patient education. QPTW clients can expect a broader, more long lasting therapeutic effect from this combination of techniques compared with massage, chiropractic and other manual therapies alone.