This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician or other health provider regarding any medical condition.
Outline
Equipment | Overview | Anatomy | Breathing | Myofascial Release Orientation | Myofascial Release for the Hands
Techniques
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | Rinsing | Friction
Contraindications
Contraindications
Don’t work your lymph system if you’re feeling ill. Moving lymph can easily spread illness, can worsen illness, and can cause sepsis.
Don’t work your lymph system if you have shortness of breath or congestive heart failure or kidney dysfunction.
Don’t work over broken skin or wounds. Use a gentle touch in order to prevent skin irritation.
NEVER work over cellulitis. Go immediately to your PCP or ER for evaluation.
NEVER work over areas which are warm or swollen, especially in the legs. If you are experiencing pain with dorsiflexion, proceed immediately to the ER.
Use caution when taking blood thinners, including aspirin. Non-aspirin NSAIDs can increase blood clot formation.
NEVER work over post-operative sites within 3-4 weeks of surgery or over areas of cancer.
Techniques — Pressing
PRESSING | Gliding | Shearing | Rinsing | Friction
Place ball under POINT 1 of receiving foot
1. Stand with feet hip width apart
2. Place forefoot on floor in front of ball and slowly compress foot over ball
3. Inhale to prepare
4. Exhale as point is compressed
5. Gently shift body weight on and off ball
6. Step backward and shift weight to opposite foot
7. Repeat 5-10 times and ease into tolerable pressure
Techniques — Pressing
Place ball under first POINT 2 of receiving foot
1. Stand with feet hip width apart
2. Place heel behind ball and slowly compress foot over ball
3. Inhale to prepare
4. Exhale and bend knee as each point is compressed
5. Gently shift body weight on and off ball
6. To move to next point, step backward and shift weight to opposite foot
7. Repeat POINTS 2 across foot and ease into tolerable pressure
8. Move to POINTS 3-5 and ease into tolerable pressure
Techniques — Gliding
Pressing | GLIDING | Shearing | Rinsing | Friction
Place ball under POINT 5 of receiving foot
1. Place forefoot on floor in front of ball and slowly compress foot over ball
2. Slowly glide ball from side to side
3. Find tolerable pressure
4. Glide toward back of heel and then back to POINT 5
5. Focus breathing while gliding
Techniques — Shearing
Pressing | Gliding | SHEARING | Rinsing | Friction
Direct Shear
Place ball under POINT 5 of receiving foot
1. “Pin the skin” between ball and bones of heel
2. Create small circles at POINT 5, as if kneading dough
3. Angle foot inward slightly, and angle foot outward
4. Focus breathing while shearing
Techniques — Shearing
Pressing | Gliding | SHEARING | Rinsing | Friction
Indirect Shear
Place ball under POINT 1 of receiving foot
1. Rest heel on floor, with toes off the ground
2. Soften knee and allow center of foot to sink into ball
3. Create tolerable pressure and maintain
4. Curl toes, then open and wiggle, repeating 3 times
5. Hold compression and focus breathing while shearing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Forefoot Rinse
Place ball under first POINT 2 of receiving foot
1. Place heel behind ball and slowly compress foot over ball
2. Slowly press ball with consistent pressure across foot pad
3. Lift foot to return and repeat 3-5 times in one direction
4. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Toe to Heel Rinse
Place ball under first POINT 2 of receiving foot
1. Place heel behind ball and compress foot over ball
2. Soften knee and find tolerable pressure
3. Slowly press ball with consistent pressure and press from ball of toes to heel in continuous motion
4. Set toes on floor and stop before ball ends at heel
5. Lift foot and repeat rinsing pass from each POINT 2 toward heel
6. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Toe Rinse
While sitting, place receiving foot flat on floor
1. Press ball over top and in between each toe
2. Rinse in one direction, from knuckle to toenail
3. Rinse sides of feet
4. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Friction
