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 Feet
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 POINTS 1-5 of receiving hand
1. Place working hand over top to create gentle compression
2. Keep shoulders relaxed, elbows soft, and receiving wrist in line with forearm
3. Compress working hand over middle of receiving hand
4. Inhale to prepare
5. Exhale as each point is compressed
6. Only one consistent, compressive force is required
Techniques — Gliding
Pressing | GLIDING | Shearing | Rinsing | Friction
Place ball under POINT 3 of receiving hand
1. Place working hand over top to create gentle compression
2. Keep shoulders relaxed, elbows soft, and receiving wrist in line with forearm
3. Compress working hand over middle of receiving hand
4. Keep tip of middle finger on table during glide
5. Glide from POINT 3 to POINT 5
6. Focus breathing while gliding
7. Continue gliding back and forth across base of palm with equal pressure for 15-30 seconds
Techniques — Shearing
Pressing | Gliding | SHEARING | Rinsing | Friction
Direct Shear
Place ball under POINT 3 of receiving hand
1. Place working hand over top to create gentle compression
2. Keep shoulders relaxed, elbows soft, and receiving wrist in line with forearm
3. Compress working hand over middle of receiving hand
4. Keep tip of middle finger on table during shear
5. Create small circles at POINT 3, as if kneading dough
6. Focus breathing while shearing
7. “Pin the skin” of deeper layers for 15-30 seconds
Techniques — Shearing
Pressing | Gliding | SHEARING | Rinsing | Friction
Indirect Shear
Place ball under POINT 3 of receiving hand
1. Place working hand over top to create gentle compression
2. Keep shoulders relaxed, elbows soft, and receiving wrist in line with forearm
3. Compress working hand over middle of receiving hand
4. Keep tip of middle finger on table during shear
5. Create small circles at POINT 3, as if kneading dough
6. Focus breathing while shearing
7. Bend and extend or create small circles with thumb for 3-4 breaths
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Finger Rinse
Place receiving hand on table
1. Place working hand on top to create gentle compression
2. Roll ball over top of and in between each finger
3. Work in one direction, from base of fingers to tip of fingers
4. Allow pass to continue so that ball rolls under receiving hand, from tips of fingers to under wrist
5. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Forearm Rinse
Using receiving hand and arm
1. Roll ball under finger tips to wrist to create gentle compression
2. Continue rolling ball under forearm, rolling up to elbow
3. Work in one direction, from tips of fingers to elbow
4. Repeat 8-10 times, maintaining consistent pressure
5. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Forearm Shear (Palm Side)
While rinsing underside of receiving arm
1. Stop halfway between wrist and elbow
2. Rest hand on table
3. “Pin the skin” with ball while moving forearm left and right
4. Roll 5-8 times
5. Move ball up and slowly work along arm toward elbow
6. Work in one direction, from fingertips toward elbow
7. Pick 2-3 spots and zigzag ball up arm
8. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Rinsing
Pressing | Gliding | Shearing | RINSING | Friction
Forearm Shear (Dorsal Side)
Place receiving arm on table
1. Above wrist, find space between ulna and radius
2. “Pin the skin” with ball using working hand to create gentle compression
3. Move receiving arm under ball and drag or twist fascia between bones
4. Focus breathing while rinsing
Techniques — Friction
