08/30/2026
Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective
Inner Light
by John F. Barnes, P.T.,
L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Much of what we were taught is obsolete, since it was based
on outdated and inaccurate scientific assumptions. We were
taught the fascial system was just packing material and the
covering of muscles, but this information was based on
research on cadavers. The only way we have been able to
separate muscle from fascia has been done in our
imagination; it cannot be done in vivo.
Cadavers are brittle, so the focus was on the fibrous
network. Other forms of myofascial release mechanically
attempt to break up the cross links that can form in the
fibrous network. Unfortunately, this only partially releases
myofascial restrictions, so there are only temporary results.
What is missing? Our body is more than 70 percent fluid, and
the fascial system is the container and transport medium of
the body& #39;s fluid. Ideally, the ground substance of the fascial
system is a fluid to gelatinous state. The ground substance
is the very environment of every one of the trillions of cells in
our body, and recent research has shown there is a micro-
fascial system within each cell of our body.
My approach to myofascial release treats the biomechanical
aspect but also uses different fluid dynamic principles that
address our fluidity, which tends to solidify from trauma or
thwarted inflammation processes.
Yet, there is more. What has also been ignored by science?
Consciousness! How could that be? Please refer back to
"Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective
What Do You Believe?"
Many scientific discoveries have suggested that
consciousness may be different frequencies of light and
sound that flow through the fluidity of the ground substance
and the microtubules of the fascial system. Light and sound
flowing through the body& #39;s fascial system is a relatively
foreign concept in traditional science and medicine.
Physiology, biology and neurology textbooks need to be
revised.
Perception
It has been known for a long time that if you and I and all of
the billions of people on Earth were to look at a mountain
range, each of us would perceive it differently. The colors,
shapes and textures, as well as the emotional and mental
impact, are not out there, they are within us.
What we perceive through our senses are vibrations of
energy. The neuromatrix theory describes this concept well;
however, proponents of this theory have been myopic and
seem to think that the brain and nervous system hang in
suspended isolation. This reductionist view is incomplete
and inaccurate in that it tells us to just consider ourselves
thinking brains whose role is to figure everything out
through logical thought.
Contrary to the reductionist view, the myofascial release
perspective teaches that we are feeling minds. Our mind is
not just in our brain as we were taught. Our mind is in every
cell of our body and beyond, a part which is our
subconscious. Neuroscientists have discovered the
databases in our subconscious are in excess of 10 million to
one of that of the consciousness of our brain. So instead of
us just being thinking brains, we are also feeling minds
whose function is to perceive the sensory information that
bombards us moment by moment. The vibrations of this
sensory information are sent through the fluid within the
billions of microtubules of the fascial system at enormous
speed. These vibrations stimulate the neural system and
brain that reduce this vast amount of sensory information
and convert these frequencies into symbols we call words,
thoughts, colors, textures, emotions and meaning.
To summarize, vast amounts of vibratory information and
wisdom flow through the fluidity of the fascia& #39;s mind-body,
within which lies the neuromatrix system. These incredible
systems function together as a whole mind-body response
and cannot be separated in vivo.
While this is interesting to write about, the profound effects
of myofascial release cannot be truly understood until one
experiences it. Only through your direct experiences with
myofascial release will you understand how it can help you
lead a pain-free, active lifestyle, with inner tranquility and
mental clarity. What I have tried to do in my close to 50-year
career treating people from all throughout the world is create
an intelligent model of reality and treatment that is gentle,
safe and effective.
The myofascial release perspective offers us and our clients
hope and a return to ease in our lives. This is an exciting
time to be a therapist.
Sincerely,
John
John F. Barnes, P. T., L.M. T., N.C. T.M.B., is an international
lecturer, author and acknowledged expert in the area of
myofascial release. He has instructed more than 50,000
therapists worldwide in his Myofascial Release Approach,
and he is the author of Myofascial Release: the Search for
Excellence (Rehabilitation Services Inc., 1990) and Healing
Ancient Wounds: the Renegade ⥠s Wisdom (Myofascial
Release Treatment Centers & Seminars, 2000). He is on the
Counsel of Advisors of the American Back Society, as well as
on MASSAGE Magazine& #39;s Editorial Advisory Board. He is a
member of the American Physical Therapy Association. For
more information, visit www.myofascialrelease.com.
