Another massage conference over, and a good one this year. Physiotherapist Adam Cootes gave an excellent seminar on the science of chronic pain and its long-term effects on the body. Professor Ian Stevens gave us a kick in the collective backside and urged us to do the research and gather the evidence needed to allow Massage to take its place in the medical establishment. And Julie Day introduced us to Fascial Manipulation, a therapy developed over several decades by the Stecco family, doctors from Italy. There is no doubt that fascia is the future of manual therapies. It has been ignored for decades in mainstream medicine and allied health but genius bodyworkers like Andrew Still (father of Osteopathy), Ida Rolf (Rolfing) and John Barnes (Myofascial Release) have always known its importance to the structural integrity of the body.
“The soul of man, with all the streams of pure living water, seems to dwell in the fascia of his body.” Andrew Still