The John Barnes Myofascial Release Approach

[pacificm]

It all “started” when I was in my early twenties in college. I went to the campus health clinic with complaints of lower pelvic pressure. They sent me away with a container and ordered me to return with a fresh semen sample - which I did. “Nurse Ratched” then gave me a brusque DRE and sent me away with antibiotics. I eventually recovered from Nurse Ratched and my lower pelvic pressure.

I’m in my sixties now and ever since my twenties I’ve had periodic bouts of mild perineum and end of penis pressure along with frequent urination. For years I self-treated myself with herbal anti-inflammatories and anti-infectives. That seemed to do the trick.

A few months ago, I had another bout but this seemed more intense and did not respond to my self-treatment. So, I went to an M.D. and was prescribed antibiotics. But, that didn’t really do the job. Then I went to another doctor who did a DRE including physical with PSA test and said while my prostate was inflamed, he could find nothing really wrong with me or my prostate. By this time the symptoms had changed somewhat. Typically, on a scale from 0-10, I start my day off with a 0-1 discomfort and end the day with anywhere from 4-7. Then, in the morning, I start off virtually symptom free again. The daily roller coaster continues. Some days are better or worst than others.

Then I came across the A Headache in the Pelvis book, read it and shared it with this doctor. He thought it made sense to him and referred me to an Occupational Therapist OTR/L in their clinic. I met with the OTR/L and shared my story and the book with her. This OTR/L specializes in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach.

I discussed with the OTR/L the trigger point approach/Wise-Anderson Protocol included in the A Headache in the Pelvis book. She responded with how according to Barnes our myofascial systems are three dimensional meshes connecting every cell in our body head to foot and that this mesh is not linear. She then questioned how a non linear system could put that much weight on specific trigger “points.” She suggested that the Barnes approach would bring about the kind of pelvic adjustments I needed through the Barnes Myofascial Release Approach.

She then examined me and pointed out how considerably out of alignment my pelvis was - providing ample reasons for my pelvic symptoms and other physical issues I have elsewhere in my body. As it turns out, the pelvis is the foundation of our myofascial systems. So far, I’ve had two OTR/L treatments. Immediately following them, I feel great - like Gumbie stretched out. The following day or two I feel sore and my symptoms flare up. She has also prescribed home stretches for me to do. So far, I’ve had ups and downs with symptoms similar to what is described in the A Headache in the Pelvis book. I’m also doing the Paradoxical Relaxation.

A Headache in the Pelvis provides an invaluable description of what appears many of us are suffering with and it offers a particular protocol to help. In any profession, there will be varieties of opinion on approaches and perspectives. I’m not an expert on physical therapy - just a guy trying to get on with his life symptom free. My question is whether the Wise-Anderson Protocol is really the only viable solution available? The Wise-Anderson Protocol includes myofascial, however, emphasizes the importance of trigger points. Both the Wise-Anderson Protocol and the John Barnes Myofascial Release Approach are highly respected - within their own groups of supporters. Both seem to offer sound strategies for healing.

What I would like some feedback on is whether anyone has had any experiences dealing with the John Barnes Myofascial Release Approach for their pelvic symptoms and if so, what their experience was. It would be helpful if there was a wider anecdotal discussion of the efficacy of different approaches along with some objective medical reviews - especially for a problem that appears to be this wide spread. This forum is certainly a valuable step in that direction.

Please let me know what you think. I would appreciate your experiences and perspectives.

Thank you.

[webslave]

Interesting post, thanks. How exactly does the John Barnes method differ from normal myofascial trigger point release?

[pacificm]

Great question. But, I don't know the answer. I'm just a lay person. My limited understanding and sense of this area though is that it is an expanding field and one incorporating new discoveries as it goes. At least that's what I'm picking up reading "Healing Ancient Wounds - The Renegade's Wisdom" by John F. Barnes, PT. I would welcome any input from others including therapists who can shed more light on your question. Thanks for your response and posting the video!

[pacificm]

About two months ago I posted the note above regarding the John Barnes Myofascial Release Approach. I was curious if anyone else had experience with it. Please refer to my comments above for details regarding my condition. Similar to many others on this forum I was experiencing a variety of chronic pelvic symptoms that would not go away in spite of my trying just about everything. I wanted to write this forum and update forum readers about my experience with this approach.

I went for two myofascial release sessions. After the second session, I experienced a bad flare up of symptoms. So, I just rested as much as possible for a couple of weeks. Then, I was amazed to find that my symptoms just faded away. After months of being incapacitated from normal activities, all of a sudden I was symptom free. I wanted to wait about a couple of months before I wrote this forum just to make sure that the symptoms were in fact gone.

They're still gone. It certainly appears to me that this approach was very effective in helping me get back on my feet again. I would definitely recommend to anyone suffering from chronic pelvic symptoms to consider this approach. You can find out if a therapist is available in your area by going to this website - https://www.myofascialrelease.com.

I hope this is of help to people. I feel it was definitely a valuable help to me.

[johnnyblotter]

Can you tell us who you actually saw?

[pacificm]

Here she is: http://heartofwellness.org/amy-howell-otrl/