By Frank Merillat, LMT
Deane Juhan will be returning to FSM to present his Resistance/Release work for the third time in the last 12 months. This popular approach allows the therapist and the client to work together to engage the neuromuscular relationship to address problems that result in pain and less-than-efficient movement. The work focuses on specific areas of the body and engages the musculature involved in movement of the area. Resisted movement is used to identify and reprogram confusion in the sensory-motor communication. The result is reduction in discomfort, improved movement and increased awareness of the client in how the body works.
I have been using the approach in my sessions since attending Deane’s first offering last April. After participating in the November workshop, I began to do some informal research on treating “trigger points”. As many of you know I teach NMT in the regular program so I am interested in how to approach chronically contracted tissue that is usually painful. The usual method is to apply direct friction (pressure) to the specific point for a period of time to allow the nervous system to reset, thus neuromuscular therapy (NMT).
In my sessions now, I use massage and specific palpation to find trigger points and then apply the Resistance/Release approach to treat the points. I have been very pleased with the results. Clients report reduced sensitivity, increased range of motion and a greater awareness of how they use their body. This makes it possible to present movement homework to reinforce the new feeling as they have already experienced the direct result of the movements assigned. It is also worth noting that this work can be done clothed and is basically done without pain other than the identifying of sensitive areas. It is applicable to many different types of practice environments. I have been very pleased by the results experienced by my clients.
The areas of the body that will be covered in the upcoming workshop will include the neck, jaw and pelvis. Deane will share his experience in working with these closely related areas that have great effect on our posture and are involved with many common problems that clients present. As usual, there will be detailed presentations of the anatomy through slide show and discussion as well as lots of practice time. Deane’s research and understanding of the relationship between the working of the systems of the body and how it is affected by touch is invaluable. I have truly benefited from this aspect as well as demonstration of technique that he presents.
The workshop will be three days: Friday, March 30 – Sunday, April 1 from 9:00AM until 6:00PM each day. He will offer 24 Florida Approved Continuing Education credits for massage (National Certification Board credits are also available). The cost is $350 if registered by Thursday, March 1 and $400 if registration is received after Thursday, March 1. To register or for more information, please contact Frank Merillat directly at (352) 371-0743 or email: fmerillat@mac.com.
