CORE Myofascial Therapy By George Kousaleos, LMT Every workshop that I have taught for the past 30 years has dealt with creating an appreciation for the fascial tissues that surround, support, connect, and in many ways, defend the other soft and osseous tissues of the human body. This concern stems from a myofascial approach to structural integration that forms the foundation of my work. Like most massage therapists, I was trained at the entry level to primarily consider that my palpatory skills were focused on the musculature of the body. While I was taught that my strokes would also improve lymphatic, venous return, and neurological issues, I still found myself thinking, ‘What muscle is this, and how can I improve its tonicity?’ It wasn't until I began my advanced structural training that I was introduced to the importance of the fascia and its integrative role with other systems. My advanced training focused on techniques that improved the relationship between structure and function. The idea of taking the fascial tissues through a thixotropic phase change implied that these tissues were paramount in releasing muscle tension, improving both venous and lymphatic flow, reducing neurosensory excitability, and balancing structure and posture. My experience tells me that chronic pain resides in these fascial tissues, especially in the deep fascia that surrounds the body and the epimysium that surrounds the extrinsic musculature. Over the years I have refined the foundational technique that I use to prepare the myofascial tissues for deeper and more specific work. This technique is called CORE Myofascial Spreading. It approaches the fascial tissues at a 45 degree angle and uses a minimum amount of lubrication to increase tissue temperature. The technique is applied slowly with the broad surfaces of the palm, finger pads, or fist. This technique has allowed me to more easily ‘feel’ the improvement of thickened or adhered fascial tissues. My experience seems to suggest that if more effort is made in working in a full-body approach with these two outer layers of myofascia, an improvement in related systems
Figure 1. Langer’s Lines
is achieved and more easily maintained. Application of any myofascial technique should take into consideration the layout of the sensory nervous system on the outermost layers of fascia. CORE Myofascial Spreading follows the primarily horizontal layout of Langer's Lines (Figure 1), so that a minimum amount of nerve stimulation can be maintained during slow, but forceful strokes. This organization of stroke delivery is crucial to a balanced application of full-body sessions that promote fascial improvement.
Terra Rosa e-magazine 35
Workshop Report: CORE Myofascial Therapy & CORE Sports and Performance Bodywork Sydney, September - October 2014. CORE Myofascial Therapy is a 6-day certification course taught directly by George P. Kousaleos, founder of the CORE Institute, from Tallahassee, Florida. The workshop was held in a nice location tucked away in the busy Newtown area in 26 September until 1 October 2014. The first day, George presented information on the theory and history of structural integration, the anatomy and physiology of fascia, body reading strategies, and specific benefits of myofascial and structural therapies. He also discussed the Intrinsic Spiral Theory, where most of a person’s structural contour has a unique circular pattern that often resembles a clockwise spiral. Then he described the Neurosomatic Awareness, taught the 5-Point Standing Awareness exercise, and full-body application of the myofascial spreading techniques. The second day George introduced arthrokinetic joint techniques, and CORE myofascial therapy from a side-lying position. The final day George detailed cervical, cranial, and facial techniques, and strategies for stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system while improving neurosomatic awareness. Mic Mueller-Coons, a massage therapist and Iron Man Champions from Townsville wrote: “Getting the basic Myofascial Spreading done on my first day resulted in a dramatic improvement of my body alignment and this is without focusing on any area of special discomfort or pain. They worked only the front and back of my body. The results were astounding! Much greater improvement of range of motion and Breathing freeness were achieved on the 2nd day while working in side posture on the lateral side of the body and the inside of the legs. Supporting the work with moderate stretching and twisting again produced even more astonishing results.”
Terra Rosa e-magazine 36
We then continued to the next level, CORE Myo 2 where George presented information on somatic psychology, client-education strategies, and specific techniques for intrinsic layers of fascia and musculature. George taught clinical protocols, include the “Back Specific”, a deeper treatment plan for the paraspinal, scapula, sacrum, and iliofemoral regions. The “CORE Release” was presented to work with the pelvic floor, sacrotuberous ligament, and related ligaments of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine. Also included is the “Foot Specific”, a treatment protocol for the fascia and musculature of the foot and ankle. One of the participants’ comment: “I love the systematic way of being able to assess body type, pain areas and probable response to treatment and then be able to help in a clear and precise manner with profound bodywork that I would be confident to use.” Everyone is impressed with George’s approach, clear instruction and stories. Comments from the CORE Myofascial participants are a testament to the quality of the educational experience: ” I enjoyed George’s knowledge (and stories). I love it all. The whole course made me felt very flexible while covering a lot of content” Linda, Brisbane.
The final day focused on the integration of the CORE myofascial techniques. In the afternoon, George organised elite athletes for us to work-on in a 90 minute session. The athletes include medal-winner runner, surfer, marathon runner, swimmer, football player, and boxer.
“George was very eloquent and articulate in explaining the techniques and the reasoning behind them. His anecdotal stories were great. He was approachable, patient, and funny.” Leanne, Brisbane. “Thank you so much for your CORE workshops, they were fantastic! I learnt so much and my clients are really benefitting from your techniques.” Dani, Newcastle. “One of the best workshops I have been” Leigh-Ann, Perth.
Kip Hobson, swimming athlete, and Ranell, Masters Championship winner and athlete trainer commented: “Both Ranell and I really enjoyed the massage immensely – Even coming from myself who is an avid hater of them, I found it to be wonderful and would gladly book in for regular ones if a suitable location was found close to home.” Robert Alexandersson, a marathon athlete from Sweden who experienced the massage wrote: “The treatment work very well and I averaged 13 seconds faster than any of my previous training sessions in Australia while doing 1k intervals two days after the massage. I had experienced stiffness in my legs during my time here, but after the treatment my muscles felt much more relaxed and flexible.”
The CORE Sports and Performance Bodywork is the next in the workshop series. George has lots of experiences working with elite athletes. He was the General Manager for the 1995-96 British Olympic Association Preparation Camp Sports Massage Team, and was the Co-Director of the Athens 2004 International Sports Massage Team. George also currently leads the CORE Sports Bodywork team that works with the Florida State University National Champion Football Team.
“Thank you again for this amazing seminar, I felt welcome and I learnt heaps. The most beneficial outcome from my side as a therapist is that I haven't been using my thumbs as much as in the past and my back and neck certainly like this kind of work. My clients have commented on how "light" they feel after the massage.” - Myriame (Canberra).
In this workshop, George introduced myofascial therapy theories and techniques that are appropriate for each style of sport. George showed how the Myofascial system relates to sport. He further introduced the primary concepts of the physical and psychological demands of training and performance for different athletes. A breakdown of somatotypes and their inherent strengths and challenges was used to discuss the development of bodywork protocols for the endurance, sprint, power, and multi-skilled athlete. George then demonstrated myofascial techniques for legs, pelvis, and back.
“Since I've been back at my practice I performed 95% of my work with CORE Myofascial therapy. I had great and some amazing results.” - Mic (Townsville)
The second day of the workshop, George showed advanced strategies including working with intrinsic myofascial tissues of the axial and apendicular regions and strategies to balance autonomic nervous system. Advanced protocols for the arms, shoulders, chest, neck, and head were also taught.
Finally, Taso Lambridis, BSc (Physiotherapy) MSc (Sports Medicine), Sydney wrote: “Having recently attended the CORE Myofascial workshops with George Kousaleos I would highly recommend this course to all manual therapists who are keen to understand and explore the amazing world of fascia. As a physiotherapist I found the material invaluable and a great add-on to what I am already using. George was highly informative and has so much experience to give you great insight into this fantastic treatment method. This is one course not to be missed and I look forward to attend any further training with him next year.“ Terra Rosa e-magazine 37
Maximise Oxygenation
CORE MYOFASCIAL THERAPY with George Kousaleos Sydney, Brisbane Sept-Oct 2015 "George Kousaleos was one of the most influential people in the manual therapy profession on my career and my success. His amazing CORE Myofascial Therapy training should be the foundation of every manual therapist's practice. His incredible knowledge of the human body, his compassion, and his kind heart, make him one of my greatest mentors in the manual therapy” - James Waslaski LMT; Author & International Lecturer Integrated Manual Therapy & Orthopedic Massage
CORE Myofascial Therapy Certification
CORE Myofascial Therapy for the Back & Neck
Sydney
Sydney 3, 4 October 2014
CORE Myofascial Therapy 1: 25, 26,27 September 2015 CORE Myofascial Therapy 2: 28, 29,30 September 2015
This 2-day seminar will focus on CORE myofascial treatment Back Specific and Chest Neck & Head protocols.
An intermediate to advanced, six-day workshop designed to give practicing massage therapists in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in full-body myofascial treatment protocols. With this knowledge and skill, you will be able to improve your clients’ structural body alignment and increase their physical performance.
“Getting the basic Myofascial Spreading done on my first day resulted in a dramatic improvement of my body alignment “ Mic, Townsville
CORE Sports and Performance Bodywork Brisbane 9,10,11 October 2014 This 3-day seminar will examine the basic styles of performance inherent in all athletic disciplines. Utilizing structural integration and myofascial therapy theories and techniques that are appropriate for each style of performance, we will focus on developing training and event protocols for endurance, sprint, power, and multi-skilled athletes.
George Kousaleos, LMT is the founder and director of the Core Institute, a school of massage therapy and structural bodywork in Tallahassee, FL. He is a graduate of Harvard University, and has practiced and taught Structural Integration, Myofascial Therapy and Sports Bodywork for the past 30 years. George has served as a member of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and was Co-Director of the International Sports Massage Team for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Terra Rosa Terra Rosa e-magazine 38 Your Source for Massage Information AMT Approved CEU Points, ATMS Approved CPE
For more information & Registration Visit www.terrarosa.com.au