Therapy Tips

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Before You Arrive What to Expect During Your Therapy Session After Treatment

Before You Arrive

Plan to arrive 5-minutes before your scheduled appointment. Late arrival may result in a reduced treatment session as there is no guarantee additional time is available at the end of your scheduled appointment.

Bring physicians prescription/referral if applicable. A prescription/referral is NOT required for myofascial release treatment. A prescription may be needed if you intend to submit paid receipts to your insurance company, HSA, or company flexible spending account. See specific information in the Frequently Asked Questions if you are seeking internal treatment of the pelvic floor as part of your treatment session.

Avoid wearing oils or lotion. Oil and lotion may limit the ability for your therapist to sustain myofascial stretching techniques and holds.

We highly recommend bringing a bottle of water to drink during your ride home following treatment.

Bring appropriate clothing to your treatment session. Myofascial Release is a skin to skin technique, not a skin to clothing technique. The clothing you choose to wear should be flexible enough for your therapist to move or work underneath to access parts of the body. Visibility is important as the body provides visual cues that identify restrictions that will need attention. Restrictive clothing or street clothes that cover up the body should be avoided as they may interfere with the ability to treat you effectively. The following clothing options are recommended as they allow for the greatest visibility and access for treatment:

A 2-piece bathing suit
Loose fitting shorts with elastic waistband
Undergarments
Sports bra or tank top

What to Expect During Your Therapy Session

At the beginning of your treatment session, you will be asked to fill out a limited pre-assessment questionnaire and consent for treatment. Additional questions may be asked about you and your primary symptoms and concerns. If you are coming as part of the more comprehensive "Break Free From Your Pain" programs, the pre-assessment questionnaire will be more comprehensive. For all subsequent visits, a brief pre-assessment will be completed addressing symptoms and sensations since your last visit, current symptoms, and progress towards self-treatment exercises.

During your session, a visual assessment will be completed followed by palpation and observation on several areas throughout the treatment session. Assessment, palpation and observation help the therapist and client identify signs of restriction. If you are coming as part of the more comprehensive "Break Free From Your Pain" programs, pre/post postural analysis photo, extensive tissue palpation assessment, and flexion/extension measurements may be completed.

Restrictions are areas of hardened or tight fascia compressing nerves, organs, and other tissue that lead to symptoms of pain and dysfunction. The location of a restriction may appear hot, hard, or tender. The signs and symptoms are the fascial cues that guide the therapist during treatment. Remember, restrictions within the body may contribute to symptoms in other parts of your body.

Your awareness of sensations during and after treatment is important to share with me. If you feel your body wants to move and stretch, let it move and stretch. If you feel emotions, allow yourself to go into those feelings. You are in control of your treatment session. While myofascial release does not force and will not injure, please let your therapist know if there is a need to lighten the pressure if therapeutic pain becomes too much for you. At any time you may ask your therapist to “HALT” if you are uncomfortable and your therapist will respect your request.

During your myofascial release (MFR) treatment session, the entire body will be evaluated and treated.

After Treatment

Drink water. As with any form of body work, it is important to drink more water than you would normally. Adequate hydration is necessary to eliminate toxins released during treatment as well as hydrate the fascial system that has been opened up during treatment. Drinking water may also reduce soreness that can occur after receiving treatment.
Self-Treatment Recommendations: Activities and exercises will be discussed for self-treatment at home. Self-treatment, along with subsequent sessions with your theraist will increase your success for recovery both in the short-term and long-term. Although Energy Works Myofascial Release welcomes your visits and commitment to overall health and well-being; it is our goal for you to eventually become self-sufficent through learned self-treatment techniques with periodic therapist facilitated treatments as needed.
Schedule your next session. For long-term or chronic issues, it is recommended that you receive treatment 2-3 times per week in conjunction with self-treatment at home unless the more extensive and comprehensive "Break Free From Your Pain" program is recommended. Ask your therapist and check for availability.