There is a significant difference between JFB-MFR and all other types of body work and traditional therapies. Other forms of body work and therapies generally follow protocols and are what we like to call “cookbook techniques.” Many only treat the symptoms, try to segment the body and ignore the power of the consciousness, whereas JFB-MFR is a whole-body technique that engages the fascia and follows what the body needs. JFB-MFR therapists do this by going to the barrier of the restriction and waiting for the release to occur. This engaging-the-barrier and allowing the necessary time for a release to occur is a key difference between JFB-MFR and other forms of bodywork.

Traditional therapies and alternative therapies generally only hold at the barrier long enough to release the elastic and muscular component of the complex. This is only part of the myofascial complex and why they only provide temporary results. The JFB-MFR approach releases the collagenous aspect of the myofascial complex which causes lasting results to occur. The restriction needs to be held at the barrier for at least two to five minutes in order to cause the collagen to lengthen.

I like to use an elastic band example to help make the point in a way that is easy to understand. If you take an elastic band and stretch it apart between your fingers, it will lengthen. But as soon as you release the pull from you fingers, the rubber band goes back to its original shape. This is like most other therapies that only hold at the barrier for 30-45 seconds, where all that is produced is a temporary result. You may feel relief for a little while, but then you feel that old familiar pull and pain again.

If you take that same elastic band, put it around an object (like a book) and leave it for several minutes it will have lengthened when you remove it. This is what JFB-MFR does; it allows the tissue to lengthen. This is an easy example to demonstrate the difference and to realize that the difference in effectiveness is massive.

Another big difference is the awareness of a JFB-MFR therapist. Awareness is needed to feel the restrictions and to be able to hold at the barrier. This barrier will change during the treatment as the fascia starts to release. The therapist needs to stay focused and centered in order to feel these changes, and keep at the barrier in order to keep the system engaged. If too much force is applied, then the body will start to resist. If not enough force is applied, then the only change that occurs will be in the elastic component which allows only temporary results.

It takes a therapist who is aware and centered to be able to maintain the barrier as the fascia releases. This is why it’s important that the therapist who treats you has been taught at a John Barnes seminar.

But to really know the difference, you need to feel it. So, just try a session and find out for yourself! It’ll be worth it!