Curiosity and the Magic Wand

by Walt Fritz, PT on April 30, 2012

I believe curiosity is one of the strongest assets that make a therapist successful. But, curiosity on the part of my patients can reap even bigger outcomes.

I have an acquaintance who is a mental health therapist. In her office she keeps a toy magic wand. Among others things, she will often give it to a client, often a child, and ask them if they could do anything, what would they do to fix things. It is not an uncommon approach in mental health, and it often gives the client freedom to dream and wish. I use a similar strategy during myofascial release treatment. Picture this scenario…your client has seen a vast number of “specialists” all whom have proclaimed what is wrong (diagnosis), or what should be done (previously unsuccessful treatment history). Our client sits there, listening to the experts come up with one more thing that probably will not work, at least completely. Many, if not all, of our clients hold inside what they really think is wrong or what should be done, but what do they know, they are not the expert. So they follow along, like a dog on a leash, from one dead end to another.

What if you asked them what they think they needed; give them the credit they deserve? I will frequently ask my clients “If I could do anything for you, what would it be?” After they say “fix my pain” (they usually say this!), I ask them to feel and think; what could I do that would help. With uncanny accuracy, they come up with helpful advice for me. Me, the expert.

Be curious. Get out your magic wand.

For Now,

Walt Fritz, PT

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The Evolution of Technique

by Walt Fritz, PT on April 5, 2012

A funny thing happens when you use a modality long enough; technique seems less important. In the beginning, the techniques were everything. How many classes could I take and how many new techniques could I learn? Of course there were plenty of new seminars to fill my needs, each promising more and more. But after a point I realized that the techniques were the easy part of myofascial release. What was the essence of this work was the development of the feel. I’ve written about this feel in the past, as it is the basis of what I do on a daily basis, as well as what I try to give to each therapist that takes one of my seminars.

The feel is making a complete feedback loop. Touching into your patient, sensing an area of tightness that feels like the cause of pain. You then make your patient aware of the area you located and seek their feedback. Confirmation completes the loop. This sounds simple, it sounds like what we all do daily, and for some of us it is. But I believe that there s a deeper awareness that therapists need to hone in themselves before they can fully sense and connect to this feel.

Techniques are easy, we make them up each day, based on situation and need. Moving your hand, direction, or intent ever so slightly can drastically change the effect. Knowing the anatomy is helpful, but not essential. Whether you are a believer of the fascia’s influence on pain or not, the interconnectedness of the body blurs the line between one structure and another. We develop hundreds of variations on what we already know every time we touch and treat a patient. See if you can deepen technique, by honing your feel.

For now,

Walt Fritz, PT

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1.6%

March 8, 2012

1.6% That is the percentage of people who have a perfectly straight spine; one with no lateral deviation whatsoever. Those were the findings of Dr. William P. Bunnell, Professor and Chairperson, Loma Linda University Medical Center, who in 1992 published his paper; Outcome of Spinal Screening. The study looked at 1000 physically mature high school [...]

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Myofascial Release Marketing

February 22, 2012

I just completed posting another dozen or so new therapists listings to the Myofascial Release and Bodyworker Practitioner Directory. (sidebar: If you have not signed up for this free directory, what are you waiting for?) As I enter information for therapists and practices literally from around the world I am struck with the wide variety [...]

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I Need To Take HOW MANY Seminars To Become An Expert?

February 15, 2012

(Or, why does committing to this line of seminars feel like multilevel marketing?) I think most of us have done this; start looking into a line of continuing education seminars and wonder why so many courses are needed? Then you start doing the math. “No way am I going to pay that much to learn [...]

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Lessons From Bruises

February 8, 2012

The palpatory sense that good therapist develops never ceases to amaze. This sense of feeling or seeing inside is the basis of my therapy and my Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars. I’ve written about touch frequently, but a revisit is in order. Many years back a retired professional football player was referred to me for [...]

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Organ Prolapse and Myofascial Release

January 20, 2012

One of the many things I love about my work is the opportunity to interact with and treat a very wide variety of conditions. If I dealt with nothing but low back pain all day/every day, I would be bored rather quickly. Women’s health issues have always been a strong part of my practice, including [...]

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How ……..Can Wreck Your Body

January 18, 2012

  A recent New York Times article, titled “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body“  has gotten a huge amount of coverage around the internet. Posts from some people are accompanied by an “I told you so” while those from others call it junk journalism. Whichever your belief, it is an interesting read and, to me, [...]

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A New Perspective, Part 2: Humility

January 6, 2012

This blog first appeared on my MassageMagazine.com blog.   I opened my blog series with a few comments regarding what make my “brand” of myofascial release different, or new. Over a few posts, I want to elaborate. And, I believe that the concept of humility is a great place to start. What does humility have [...]

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For what do YOU wish to be known?

December 29, 2011

This blog post originally appeared on my new MassageMagazine.com Blog.   Massage therapists and body workers have a vast number of reasons for doing what they do. Your list would be different from mine. Long ago I realized what I was very good at and what I wished to specialize in; treating pain. When I [...]

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