Integrative Fascial Release (IFR) Foundations

DAY ONE

Module 1: Introductions & Information

• Introductions and Information about Integrative Fascial Release

References:

• Hellerwork: The Utimate in MyoFascial Release: Donna Bajelis

• Myofascial Release Textbook Michael Shea

• The Scientific Basis for Energetic Healing Movement & Bodywork James Oschman

• The Endless Web, Fascial Anatomy & Physical Reality R.Louis Schultz

• Anatomy Trains Thomas Myers

• Neurobiology of Fascial Plasticity: Robert Schleip

• MyoFascial Treatment Methods: Autonomic, Movement and Mechanical

• Properties of Connective Tissue-Fascial Anatomy

• The Nervous System: Conscious Control, Muscle Guarding, Unconscious Patterns of Muscular Holding / Movement

• Expressions of the Autonomic Nervous System and Autonomic Exhaustion

Module 2: Assessments and Development of Skill in the Palpation of Fascia

• Fascial Palpation Exercises: Plastic Body Wrap

• Contra-Indications

• Visual Standing Assessment

• Visual Walking Assessment

• Skin and Joint Assessment

• Checklist for Palpating MyoFascial Restrictions

Module 3: Palpating and Locating Myofascial Restrictions

Areas to which fascia adheres:

• Bony prominences

• Musculotendinous junctures

• Muscular boundaries and layers

Passive Techniques for Locating Superficial Fascia:

• Use of Two Point

• Three cardinal planes of skin motility to assess superficial fascia

• Schleip; High Leverage Points in the Myofascial Net

• Myers: Anatomy Trains

• Paoletti: Fascial Chains

• Schultz: Endless Web-Body Straps

Module 4: Passive Transverse Plane Diaphragm Releases

Two-Point Technique for Deep Transverse Planes of Fascia.

Cranial Base
Pelvic/Urogenital-Lumbar-Abdomen
Respiratory-Solar Plexus
Thoracic Outlet-Inlet
Hyoid
Cranial Base

Module 5: Direct Technique: Static Compression for the High Leverage Points

Sidelying Position

• Greater Trochanter

• Serratus Anterior

• Shoulder/Scapula/Thorax

Sidelying Sleeve Releases

• Adductor Midline Release

• Superficial Front Line Sleeve Release

• Superficial Back Line Sleeve Release

Module 6: Lower Extremity Levers

Levers: Long & Short for Hip & Pelvis

• Compressions for Greater Trochanter and Ischial Tuberosity

• Golgi Tendon Organ Release for Hamstrings & Rectus Femoris

Protocol

Long Levers-Straight Leg

• Femoral Long Lever Neutral

• Femoral Rotations

• Engage Ease position first

• Superficial ‘Twists in the Sleeve’

Short Levers-Bent Knee

Two Positions:

• Foot on table

• Foot off table

DAY TWO

REVIEW DAY ONE MATERIAL

Module 7: Integrating Two-Pointing for Lower Extremity Joints

Treatment Protocol for Pelvis
Lower Extremity Two Point: Inguinal, Knee & Ankle Protocol

• Sacrum or Illiac Crest / Umbilical

• Sacrum / Ischial Tuberosity

• Inguinal Crease / Ischial Tuberosity

• Patella / Politeal Fossa

• Ankle / Calcaneal / Talus

• Ankle / Lateral & Medial Malleolus

Fascial Anatomy for Lower Extremity

• Pelvic restrictions: Rotational Releases

• Fascial Sleeves: Understanding twists and patterns of rotational restrictions within the sleeve

• ‘Twist in the Sleeve’

Module 8: Integrating Techniques Three Dimensionally:

Stacking the 3D Planar Fulcrum (Giammatteo) -Two Point

• ‘Stacking’: engaging multiple barriers in 3 planes/vectors through demonstration of technique.

• Three Dimensional Fulcrum Technique- Giammatteo & Kain

• Corkscrew effect: rotational component to releasing fascia

• Indirect technique will always move into a barrier or direction that is considered ‘ease’

• Thus the direction of fascial release is always indirect instead of direct.

• Release can be organized in two ways:
  Either increasing fascial glide or Utilizing a fulcrum
  Engage superficial fascia with Two Point

• Initiate parasympathetic effect

• Engage compression barrier

• Assess direction of ease

• Assess & engage superior/inferior ease direction

• Assess & engage medial/lateral ease direction

• Assess & engage rotational medial/lateral ease direction

DAY THREE

REVIEW IFR FOUNDATIONS DAY TWO

Module 9: Midline Bilaterals: Axial Mid-Line Release

Myers Superficial Front Line Releases

• These are underhand static compressions

• Relax restrictions at the Illiac crest

• Lower scapular area

• Upper scapular area

• One hand cradles occiput while the other applies underhand static compression

Myers Superficial Back Line Releases

• Fingertips re-enforced at Pubic Symphysis

• Palm at Sternum

• Palm at Pectoralis Major/Minor

If necessary relax diaphragm area

• Combination of the two lines

• These releases precede Bilaterals

Bilateral Releases
Bilateral concepts
Applied from Side Lying Position

• Inferior Greater Trochanter/Upper ITB

• Mid ITB

• Intercostals/Thoracic Rib Cage

• Rolling Motion Releases

• Shoulder/Greater Trochanter Combination

Module 10: Introduction to Upper Extremity Levers-Arm Line Releases (Myers)

Superficial Front Arm Line
Superficial Back Arm Line
Deep Front Arm Line
Deep Back Arm Line

Protocol: Supine Positions with Humeral Long & Short Levers

• Supine Bilateral Humeral Short Lever

• Supine Bilateral Humeral Long Lever

• Supine Unilateral Long Lever Sleeve Assessment

• Supine Unilateral Long Lever Humeral Compression

Into GH Joint
Into Scapula into Thorax
Spina Scapula
AC Joint
SC Joint

Protocol: Side lying Positions with Humeral Long & Short Levers
Humeral Short Lever

• Olecranon crowd into GH Joint

• “Corkscrew”

• Add rotational ease position

• Add rotational bind position

Humeral Long Lever

• Elbow must in extended relaxed lock position

• No flexion whatsoever

• Use your forearm to lock elbow into extension

Module 11: Clinical Practice Session

• Invited guest to practice and integrate material presented in three day Foundations course

• Setting up

• How are you to explain to your guest what you are doing?