Specializing in MFR

Mary Beth has been a Certified Massage Practitioner for over 25 years. After decades of working in the field, she knew she needed more training to find lasting treatments for her clients with chronic pain. Her own struggles with migraines, hip, shoulder and neck pain from gymnastics and childhood injuries had her seeking out a wide variety of doctors and therapists for temporary relief at best. A PT friend introduced her to the John Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach. After getting treated herself, she started taking his seminars and shadowing trained therapists at his clinic in Sedona.

What is fascia? It is an interconnected densely woven web of collagenous tissue that covers and penetrates every muscle, bone, artery, vein and organ from head to toe. Trauma (emotional and physical), poor posture, inflammation, tension and/or surgical procedures can lead to fascial tightening in the body, creating restrictions on blood and lymph flow, nerve communication, organ function and muscle mobility. MFR is a safe hands-on technique using gentle sustained pressure that allows the restrictions to give way and elongate. No lotion is used as connection with the fascial layer is needed.

Mary Beth has her BS in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a concentration in Biology and Neuropsychology. She worked as an MRI/MRSI research associate at UCSF and VA Medical Center in San Francisco on NIH funded projects for PTSD, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Since then, she has worked in Los Angeles in fashion and music while maintaining her massage practice.

This year, she completed the MindBody Certification Program through the Embodied Philosophy School. Courses covered inlcude: 

• Somatic psychotherapy
• Trauma origins and therapy
• Polyvagal Theory
• Attachment Theory
• Eastern Origins
• Felt Sense development.

Myofascial Release is already mind-body oriented, and this program was a perfect complement. Emotions and memories don’t always arise during treatment but are welcomed and supported as an integral part of the healing process. Her Iyengar Yoga practice is another part that makes these connections and inspires curiosity of all things mind and body.

Mary Beth is currently working at the Sherman Oaks office on Mondays and Wednesdays.