I have studied Myofascial Release techniques with the  Johhn f. Barnes  Institute, including courses with John Barnes himself and with Theresa Schmidt from Educise Rescources Inc.

     A basic understanding of the function of fascial tissue helps to comprehend why this method is so effective in alleviating pain and allowing the muscles to move more freely.

     Fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds and supports every organ, bone, joint, muscle and blood vessel in the body. When fascia becomes tight it can cause painful restrictions throughout the body. See Muscle Pain: It May Actually Be Your Fascia, Johns Hopkins Medicine for an in depth explanation of how this system functions. 

     MFR technique is performed directly on the skin without the use of lotions. Gentle, even, steady and sustained pressure in which the therapist's hands sink into the tissues and move with he body to release restrictions and adhesions. 

     Dense and fibrous restrictions may require a skin rolling technique or cross fiber friction to warm the tissues and work through the restricted layers.

     A gentle range of motion may also be performed to elicit unwinding of tissues resulting in more fluid motions throughout the body.