Back in September, the director of Northwestern Business College (where I teach Contemporary Health Issues) gave me an American Massage Therapy Association newsletter. Efthimios provided this because of my role in research with my technique and the AMTA's query for research abstracts.
I went to the site and began looking at the requirements. The main thing was I missed the deadline. The other component was I would have to sign away all of my rights to my research (not an option)! But, the wonderful thing was I stumbled upon the Fascia Research Congress. I went directly to their site and tried to register. The conference was sold out! At that time the Fascia Research Congress was looking at the possibility of creating ancillary seating. I signed on and prayed I would be accepted. A week later I was informed I was attending! I was elated, because intuitively I knew I would have some questions answered in the body of the symposium. I also knew I would meet whomever I needed to fulfill the same thing.
I departed Chicago on October 3. I wanted a day in Boston to get settled prior to attending. The first day of the conference would bring a twelve hour day, so I just wanted to unwind from my hectic work week.
I woke at 0600 the morning of the 4th. It was an absolutely beautiful sunny day. The energy on the street was incredible or perhaps it was an extension of how I felt. I felt like a character out of a movie. The moment and everything attached to being there felt surreal. I walked past Harvard Medical School's campus and headed left toward the auditorium. I made my way upstairs to start the day; a day packed with fascia science.
As I sat in the ancillary seating I thought there was no way the conference could meet my expectations. I felt this way because whenever the bar is at its level it usually brings disappointment. Once the first speaker gave his presentation, I knew my expectations were going to be exceeded! I also discovered upon review of the material given that I would receive 17 continuing education units from attending. How sweet! I was there just to learn more and have some questions answered about my work. 17 CEU's was definitely a bonus!
The main thing that immediately hit home was how little we know, as a medical community, about the connective tissue matrix of the body. Our educational structure is designed to look at Anatomy; function has been a glimmer of consideration, as had fascia. I have been asking a question to doctors about my work for years. I asked how they cannot know about soft tissue dysfunction, more specifically how beneficial massage is to eliminate pain within this structure? They considered it holistic! I considered it rudimentary medicine.
The fascia research congress took thirty, yes thirty years to come in to existence! I could not be more excited however, because western practice is realizing the need to meld with eastern practice in research. I feel it is only a matter of five years, perhaps a bit more before they will meld completely to create the whole or balance in our medical structure.
All the top scientists presented their current findings on fascia. When they got to the science of exercise physiology they said what I have known for a while. We have to quit overloading the muscles. Static exercising is not a good nor healthy approach.
I do not like nor agree with the administration of Corticosteroid injections. I would not give them to my dog let alone a person I love. Yet the common approach for anything muscle related is to administer cortisone injections and pain pills. I am trying to figure out all the biochemical milieu shifts in the muscle fiber related to this approach. All I know is what I see from a symptomatic standpoint. All I know is what I feel beneath my fingers in the muscle fiber from these injections. They are not a good approach. It was so incredible to hear that reiterated from the top doctors in the world; now if we could only get Orthopedics on the same page.
The same doctors also stated that our approach with lumbopelvic back pain needs redefining. 70 percent of all spinal fusion surgeries are viewed as unnecessary. Spinal fusions are not a good plan because they create an "unstable machine."
There is so much that was brought into the light with this symposium. I am very excited though about the shifts that are coming for medicine. With advances in technology comes advances in our thinking and approach. Something has to shift ~ change is coming. That is the main hope I walked away from with this conference outside the plethora of information on fascia. Knowledge is absolute power. I always educate my students on the need to research and have the information one needs to make strong choices. Knowledge is the key to being your own best health care advocate. When one begins to accept something that does not resonate in their gut as truth ~ trouble will certainly follow. There are no quick fixes, but if we allow the body to do what it is designed to do naturally, (heal), it will do just that...Heal.
