In response to your blog on Myofascial release, I would have to agree that this particular instructor was either a "quack" or had insufficent training in the technique. In my professional opinion as a massage therapist and business owner, this is not an accurate description of any training I have attended on the subject, nor have I ever encountered it as a client. Myofacsial release is not a form of energy work (such as reiki, crystal work, etc) nor does it magically cause limbs to move on their own. The generally accepted technique, however is well founded in science as it applies to the lengthening of fascia, the release of trigger points, and the relief of pain syndromes related to constricted musculature. In addition, Janet Travell, John F Kennedy's official personal physician, used this technique frequently. I think the real quackery is the lack of regulation of course curriculum, and the over eagerness of anti-holistics to debunk CAM as a whole without checking up on more accurate and official information.
You are getting at the heart of what constitutes quackery - the claims. Even good techniques can be quackery when accompanied by exaggerated or false claims. It's the claims that are often the main problem.
My son suffers with Lymphedema in both of his legs. He is only 22 years old. Myofascial Release is very helpful in releasing the enormous amounts of fluid that build up in his legs. (not the kind you are talking about - no magic stuff). I am researching types of therapy for him. Since you have ridiculed Myofascial Release, can you come up with an alternative to help my son?
I'm sorry that your experience with Myofascial Release was more along the lines of attempted cranio-sacral work and a technique called unwinding. Please don't debunk some thing that has been accomplishing incredible results for about 30 years or so. There are different ways to address fascia, but generally creating more room in tight muscles and tissues by comfortable techniques and in diagonal planes as well as the active muscle contraction planes has amazingly beneficial results.
I was a PTA for 15 years and have been doing bodywork for the last 12 years.
sorry to have to change the banner on your soapbox, but what you're railing against is not MFR. You were duped, indeed, not by MFR, but by the particular course or instructor you went to. It's a shame where lack of research and then unfounded tirades can lead you to, huh?
As a CMT, I have come across many different 'forms' of MFR. Some are very hoaky while others do have a strong therapeutic effect on the body. Mr. Schutes fails to expand on his idea of MFR as quackery.
I just had my first experience with MFR. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and had told my PT about the pain in my back. He did some stretching techniques on my back and shoulders that relieved tightness that I've never been able to get help for. He later explained the techniquest as MFR.
It's refresshing to know that the DPTs are just as bad as we are when it comes to quackery. I guess calling us quacks is the pot calling the kettle black. I have also seen several PT ads offering cranialsacral therapy. I took a class in that once. Hoo-boy! I thought the Gonstead seminars were weird.
Unfortunately you are right. Every profession has them. Craniosacral therapy is really weird.
You really do a diservice by listing Myofascial Release as quackery. This modality is well regarded and utilizes acupuncture trigger points during rendeering of this therapy. Dr. Janet Travell and Dr.David G. Simon did extensive work in this area. See their manual here:
http://tinyurl.com/4hqt35
See this paper by Dr. Simon as well: http://tinyurl.com/3fpmwj
BTW, Dr. Travell was one of John F. Kennedy's personal physicians.
A couple more URLs for you to look at:
http://www.triggerpointbook.com/...com/
travell.htm
http://tinyurl.com/3z62up
Emilie, trigger points aren't the same as acupuncture points. There is no known anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians. I have both volumes of Travell and Simon's work, and consider it excellent. Dr. Travell was not only Kennedy's personal physician, she is (was) a distant relative of mine. When I was about 13 I "inherited" a box of stamps, post cards, and various letters and effects from her brother, Warren, who was a founder of the Arrowhead Stamp Club in San Bernardino, CA. (I'm not sure it exists anymore, but it did when I was a kid and collected stamps.) That's how I first learned about her. Later, when I became a Physical Therapist, I purchased her books, since they were part of our curriculum. No hocus pocus or alternative medicine woo woo. Just good research and lots of valuable knowledge packed into two volumes.
Hi Saul,
I use those words acupuncture and trigger points interchangeably as my personal practitioner does.
This article which I found when doing a Google search seems to use the terms in a similar manner:
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/articl.../
987115954.html
BTW, The Arrowlead Stamp Club still appears to be in existence:
http://www.sescal.org/socalclubs.htm
Thanks for sharing your other personal comments. 
Emilie
What you had was clearly not MFR. You should rewrite the blog post to reflect that.
It was official postgrad CME coursework, and the only course at the time in the whole country where I live (in Scandinavia).
That CME needs to be reevaluated. I hope by this time that course has been thrown out! What was demonstrated on your shoulder was not MFR... Your story is entertaining nonetheless, but I don't think you should be "educating" people about our profession before you read the research behind the "quackery" you speak of. Sorry for your weird experience.
I think that the number one point that needs to be focused on throughout the argument on "alternative" therapies is evidence based practice. I will be the first to suggest that a person try a specific therapy for themselves and research for themselves before passing judgment - and while there are many wonderful personal success stories and subjective accounts of the benefits of both MFR and craniosacral therapy - you cannot credit these successes to physiological changes in the patient until you have randomized controlled research with significant results that show these correlations. Psychological and emotional benefits along with the placebo effect can be VERY STRONG and can be very effective as an adjunct to other forms of therapy - however, again, the credibility of the profession of Physical Therapy is based upon evidence based practice and therefore, until this exists for MFR and craniosacral therapy, it cannot be concluded that there is a physiological basis to these therapies.
Sorry, I just wanted to add, that all professions will always improve and benefit based on skepticism and therefore, both skepticism and criticism should be welcomed. (However, I do agree that the skeptic should fully research before passing criticism).
I have had excellent results with well trained practioners of myofascial release over the past 10 years. I think Bob Shute's experience is colored by his skepticism and lack of an open mind. I can't comment on the misrepresentation of a lymphadema course which had myofascial release included nor the training of the instructor.
you are a complete idiot.
identify exactly the who the presentor you were talking about so the public can be cautioned about it. If you didnt, i would have to conclude that you are the quack and know nothing about therapy whose primary aim is to discredit the profession to the public. Identify them in order to validate exactly who you are and who are you talking about.
i tried searching for Bob Shute's professional license in all the PT professional board in all states of US but cant find it. Bob, What state are you licensed?
It looks we've got a troll using nearly identical IPs and claiming to be two different persons, one named joana robinson, MD (IP: 208.54.14.49), and the other Bert mendoza, PT (IP: 208.54.14.113) . They both have the same email address, a useless one: joana@yahoo.com. Another posting like that and you're gone and blocked.
As a both a massage therapist and athletic therapist of over 20 years I have found this commentary quite ignorant. It is obvious that that the author has not done any legitimate research into myofascial release.
I use myofascial release on a daily basis to complement other manual techniques to return athletes to play their sports and improve range of motion with chronic muscle tightness.
MFR is not an end all be all; however it is one tool that is quite effective.
I think the whole thing thats wrong with a site like this is, if people are effectively treated using CAM, then what is the problem? How many people are killed each year due to CAM? The answer is maybe in the tens, and how many by mis-prescribing drugs, or surgical mistakes, or others at the hands of MD's? The answer is 100,000's!! There is a huge difference.
The tutor showing this so called MFR does indeed sound like a quack, I have used MFR for years, as a PT, and teach it, but what I do bears no resemblance of what this guy was doing.
Ever hear of Rolfing Structural Integration? MFR is the main technique used to stretch the facsial web and release restrictions to improve the posture and the body's alignment. It really does work and the evidence has been very well documented, including Dr. Ida Rolf's early research, experiments and conclusions. There are several books available both by her about her work. Her research followed scientific guidelines and shows real results from MFR.
What you described was definitely NOT MFR and the instructor should be fired or sued for misrepresentation.
I am confused.
First:
The blog starts with:
"Fortunately as a student I was suspicious and didn't buy into it. Later he took a course and became totally convinced it was off the wall."
Well, which is it? "I" or "he" or are you not sure?
Second:
You attribute the story to "Bob Shutes, PT" and say the story was "used by permission" which leads to the assumption that you actually got permission from Bob to use his tale.
HOWEVER, later in a response to one comment you say "It was official postgrad CME coursework, and the only course at the time in the whole country where I live (in Scandinavia)." So does that mean this story is your story from a class you took? But if that's the case why write it in Bob Shute's words and not your own?
I am beginning to think you are the quack. I mean I agree with you that there is a lot of BS-hoax-quackery out there and you hit the nail on the head with homeopathy & chiropractics being usually ineffective and often dangerous. But being right about one or two things doesn't make you right about everything (see Dr. Heimlich as an example).
You should have looked a little more into MFR. You posted the blog only4 years ago and there was already a LOT of information published on the subject by that time. Certainly enough for Bob Shutes and you to recognize that what this instructor offered might have used elements of MFR but was actually a bunch of energy nonsense not really related to actual MFR techniques.
You should explain the story as an example of Quack CE providers but not as an example of Quack therapy.
Thanks for catching the typo. I apparently was already transferring to Bob Shutes in my mind when I wrote that. I have fixed it. I have also included the link at the bottom. It was always there, if you had just clicked the title, as is the case with nearly all of my blog posts. Yes, of course I contacted Bob and got his permission.
Your assumption of bad faith has led you to take one little typo and create a whole mess. Well, hate to disappoint you, but the explanation is quite simple. I do make typos, just like everyone else.
Another unfortunate thing is that much of what is practiced and taught in the name of MFR is closely associated with energy nonsense. If you can find some essence of MFR that doesn't include energy nonsense (and I'm sure it exists, albeit without much evidence), that would be fine, but it's usually served on an energy nonsense platter with more energy nonsense side dishes.
I read your blog and I have to say as an MFR therapist I agree with you to a certain point. It is a shame that the focus is on unwinding and making Mr. Barnes out to be like a god. Which he is not. I use MFR successfully for my patients but take a clinical approach. I suggest you find someone who is like me and find what MFR is through a different mindset.
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