Ingetrated Myofascial Therapy

Ruth Duncan

Ruth has been involved in complementary therapies for a number of years and took the opportunity to study whilst living abroad. She graduated with honours as a Clinical Massage Therapist in 2000 from the Humanities Centre School of Massage in Florida , USA . Her training included various techniques including Relaxation, Swedish, Therapeutic, and Sports/Remedial Massage with the Neuromuscular component comprising of Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Positional Release (PR), and Trigger Point Therapy and ‘Barnes’ Myofascial Release (MFR).

On returning to Scotland Ruth furthered her training by studying ‘ Sports Injury Rehabilitation’ with Premier Training UK , Pre and Peri-natal Massage under Carole Osbourne-Sheets and Reiki. She also organised the first TouchPro chair massage course in Scotland and holds a diploma as an On-Site Practitioner. She also explored further fascial approaches including Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains and meridians.

Ruth pursued her interest with the body/mind connection by studying Clinical Hypnotherapy allowing her access to various techniques from basic counseling skills, life strategies and goal setting which complement all of the therapies she practices. Ruth is also a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Ruth returned to the states in February, 2003 to continue post graduate training with John F. Barnes who is the world’s leading authority on Myofascial Release (MFR). She attended the advanced retreat MFR seminar in October 2004 and is also due to assist on upcoming US MFR seminars.

IMFT (Level 1)

Objectives

On completing iMFT (Level 1) the participant will

have an understanding of how a restriction develops within the fascial system and its effect on motion and function.
know how to evaluate restrictions within the fascial system
be able to utilise a selection of appropriate fascial release techniques to alleviate pain and restore optimal function.
be able to immediately integrate these skills into their existing treatment protocols.
be able to effectively incorporate ‘therapeutic dialoguing’ within their clinical setting to enhance the therapist/client relationship.
This workshop is designed as a ‘hands on’ experience with emphasis on developing palpatory and proprioceptive skills.

Participants will:

Examine the development of fascia, its structure, function and dysfunction
Examine how to evaluate fascial strain and restriction in the body
Refine observation and palpatory diagnostic skills
Review applied anatomy of selected soft tissue and osseous structures
Review myofascial pain patterns associated with selected soft tissue structures.
Develop an awareness of the fascial system with regard to self health
Examine the physiological affects of Fascial Release techniques
Review the underlying principles of MET and PR
Utilise a variety of Fascial Release techniques skilfully integrated with movement and Neuromuscular techniques including MET and PR.
Discuss a variety of fascial healthcare concepts / perspectives
Learn how and when to incorporate therapeutic ‘dialoging’ and ‘reframing’ in the clinical treatment setting.
Explore the essential component of ‘Unwinding’ as part of the healing process.
Examine therapeutic pain.
Explore the emotional component of ‘Body Memory’
How to progress the client/therapist relation from a doing/taking transaction to a working together partnership.

IMFT (Level 2)

Objectives

On completing iMFT Level 2 the participant will

Know how to evaluate the fascial body with regards to postural analysis

Know how to assess and effectively utilise various fascial approaches to restore balance within the structure
Have an understanding of the Craniosacral system within the MFR approach
Have a greater understanding of the importance of compression and de-compression of the fascial matrix
Be able to utilise and integrate further fascial approaches into their own treatments.
Be able to effectively assess and treat fascial scarring
This workshop is designed as a ‘hands on’ experience with emphasis on refining palpatory and proprioceptive skills.

Participants will

Develop a greater understanding of postural analysis.
Discuss and develop an awareness of the emotional posture
Learn how to integrate fascial pelvic techniques to restore balance
Review and refine existing fascial techniques
Learn how to incorporate MET’s and PR into fascial approaches
Learn the importance of Trigger Point Release techniques
Learn how to incorporate Trigger Point Release into fascial approaches
Learn how to incorporate compression into fascial releases
Explore a variety of fascial approaches
Explore the movement and function of the Craniosacral system
Explore the relationship with the pelvis and Craniosacral system
Develop awareness of whole-body fascial restrictions
Refine therapeutic dialoguing with regards to the ‘felt sense’
Discuss the complications arising from surgical and injury scarring
Explore the needs for fascial work with regards to cosmetic surgery
Learn how to integrate fascial techniques for the treatment of visible and emotional scarring
Further explore the mind and body connection.

IMFT (Level 3)

Objectives

On completing iMFT Level 3 the participant will

Have a clearer understanding of the mind/body connection
Know how to evaluate the energetic body
Be able to utilise energetic approaches within their existing treatments
Be able to use their intuition within the fascial approach in a more confident manner
Have a greater understanding of cellular consciousness with regards to all MFR approaches
Be able to integrate further fascial release techniques into their own treatments
Have the appropriate knowledge and ability to build their own style of fascial techniques
This workshop is designed as a ‘hands on’ experience with emphasis on developing awareness of the energetic body and deepening the understanding of the mind/body connection.

Participants will

Learn the correlation between the energetic, physical and emotional body’s
Learn how to assess the energetic component of the body
Establish an understanding of the whole body expanded awareness
Refine therapeutic dialoguing
Learn how to teach patients to use self myofascial unwinding
Refine self treatments
Learn further fascial techniques
Examine the need for establishing a home programme with regards to the emotional body
Explore the outcome of treatment with regards to ‘lack of results’ and the difficult patient.
Refine the understanding of Therapeutic pain

Eligibility

Open to Healthcare Professionals including, but limited to the following-
Physiotherapy, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy. Neuromuscular, Sports, Remedial and Therapeutic/Holistic Massage Therapy. Other hands-on bodywork therapies may be accepted, please e-mail for details.

The minimum post-graduate requirements for Complementary Healthcare practitioners is a recognised Anatomy and Physiology certificate and a Bodywork course with a minimum of 100 clock hours plus home study.

We also welcome exercise and movement professionals however, they must also have some background and training in bodywork therapies.

All students must be competent and confident with body palpation with regards to tissue dysfunction and muscle identification.

Minimum requirement: A qualification, to examination level, in Anatomy and Physiology. Students attending a healthcare course may also apply.

We reserve the right to reject applications due to student unsuitability.

What to bring

The workshops are relaxed and friendly. Please wear lose fitting clothes and also bring either shorts, cropped sports top/bra or 2 piece bathing suit. Fascial work will be done, skin on skin, on the back, chest and upper legs.

Ladies, please wear limited makeup/foundation/moisturiser (preferably none) as fascial treatments are done dry and hands tend to slide on makeup

Bring your massage table/couch/plinth unless otherwise instructed. If you know you are attending with another student then please check that it will be appropriate to bring 1 table between 2.

2 pillows/cushions, 2 towels or sheets and a small blanket or similar.

Lunch both days

Tissues and wet hand wipes

Water will be provided at the workshop

Venue: Sue Lincoln School of Holistic Therapies, Evron Centre, John Street, Filey North Yorkshire, YO14 9DW
E-mail: info@suelincoln.co.uk; www.suelincoln.co.uk

Tel: 01723 518048, 07984594532