The John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a whole-body, hands-on, total body approach that directly treats the muscular and fascial (myo = muscle, fascial = connective tissue) system that surrounds every structure in the body. 

Physical trauma, inflammation or infection, or a structural imbalance (from dental malocclusion, boney restriction, leg length discrepancy, and pelvic rotation) may create muscular and fascial strain that becomes pain. 

Barnes says. “MFR is the three-dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions and facilitate the emergence of emotional patterns and belief systems that are no longer relevant or are impeding progress.” — Myofascial Release, The Search for Excellence, 1990, chapter 1. 

This hands-on, treatment is at the core of our approach to healing.

craniosacral therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a precise and subtle, hands-on treatment approach that addresses the health and function of all structures surrounding and comprising our central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). 

 Past physical and/or emotional injuries, traumas, orthopedic problems or disease can create fascial restrictions within the nervous system, causing pain.

At Orlanu, this technique is a powerful tool to get to the root of many of your pain symptoms.

SomatoEmotional Release

Somato-Emotional Release (SER) is a therapeutic process that utilizes Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy treatment principles to rid the body of residual affects of trauma. Past physical and emotional traumas, and the memories associated with those experiences, can become locked in the muscles and soft tissues of the body at the time of the injury. SER allows these "past hurts" to arise, move, and release — restoring the body's mobility, comfort and ease of movement. 

At Orlanu, we support all levels of healing, and we welcome working in tandem with psychotherapists to enhance your treatments.

breathwork

Working with the breath can release stress and uncover ease in the body. Stress may be physical, emotional or mental in nature. Sustained and connected breathing is an invaluable tool that can assist the body to release blocked tension and dis-ease that the body has learned to hold while coping with everyday stress or past trauma.

Restoring natural breath rhythms will also revive inherent coordination between breathing and allbody systems.

Neurodevelopmental Treatment

Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) is a hands-on approach developed to treat individuals with pathophysiology of the central nervous system (CNS), primarily children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP), stroke and head injury. NDT was developed with the understanding that people who have trouble moving due to neurological challenges demonstrate a limited number of ways to move in any situation. Therapists trained in NDT offer and facilitate new ways to move.  This variety gives the patient more freedom and mobility.

I use NDT principles with all patients because, over time, hurting bodies will develop compensatory and limiting ways to move to minimize pain, often perpetuating and worsening the pain in the future. 

Returning to the building blocks of our movement patterns, I use gentle, hands-on techniques: touch, plus verbal and visual cues to shift you from moving painfully to more comfortable, functional and easy ways of moving.

energy
balancing

Electromagnetic energy fields emanate from the different structures in our body. These magnetic fields talk to each other to create homeostasis (health). Evaluating the strength of these fields tells us how easy or how difficult it is for the body to maintain its internal balance. 

Any form of stress can upset this delicate process of self-regulation; energy balancing is a technique to return the body to balance.

This subtle treatment is blended into everyone’s comprehensive therapy at Orlanu.

aromatherapy

Aromatherapy facilitates healing through the use of essential oils. The chemical structure of essential oils can penetrate cell membranes and transport oxygen and nutrients into the cells. These oils nourish and replenish the muscle tissue and joints via the blood stream, which in turn goes deep into all the organs and tissues. 

During an Orlanu treatment, the oils can be used in a variety of ways: direct application, diluted in a carrier oil, and/or diffused into the air.