A slow, gentle stretch of the neck and upper shoulder fascia

	Fibro (fibrous tissue)
		my (muscles)
			algia (pain)

According to M.D.s, Janet Travell and David Simons, authors of Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia is identified by widespread pain for at least 3 months duration in combination with tenderness at 11 or more of the 18 specific tender points, also known as trigger points.

Removing ischemia in soft tissue of the neck in preparation for deep fiber strokes.

Symptoms include:

Chronic pain in muscles and soft tissue & surrounding joints
Aches in neck, trunk, and hips
Morning stiffness
Disrupted non-restful sleep
Fatigue and lethargy
Anxiety and depression
Weakness
Headaches
Diarrhea and irritable bowel
Confusion
Stomach and digestive problems
Shortness of breath

Addressing the myofascial holding patterns in the soft tissue of the neck

Massage/Bodywork Treatment
as indicated by research provides relief by changing the levels of hormones, reducing cortisol and increasing serotonin, which affects stress and pain sensitivity, and also assists in removing waste from muscles, increases blood and nutrient flow, improves cell oxygenation, and adjusts our nervous system to its relaxation mode. Fibromyalgia clients experience improved sleep, reduction of pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Structural Energetic Therapy (SET) is a deep tissue body restructuring that rehabilitates chronic pain and dysfunctions in the body.

SET moves and releases the massive buildup of toxicity within the tissues and muscles, which makes it possible for freer and easier movement and a reduction of fatigue and exhaustion. This rebalancing also relieves an overstressed musculature to support and maintain an upright posture.

SET techniques release old structural patterns in order to rehabilitate and support a new balanced postural alignment. The treatment is based on the needs of the client, beginning with releasing the structural imbalance responsible for the primary area of discomfort.

Surface myofascial layers and deeper layers of the entire structure are released in the first treatment. The SET therapist incorporates Cranial/Structural techniques to initiate the unwinding of the soft tissue holding patterns within the body, and then continues with the soft tissue work moving from superficial to deep as the tissues release and unwind. This provides pain relief and an initial balancing in the first session.

The Cranial/Structural techniques are utilized to normalize cranial distortion patterns and their adverse effects on the body. Without the release of the cranial distortion pattern, myofascial therapy would be conflicting with the cranial distortion influences in the body.

- Don McCann, MA, LMT, LMHC – Founder Structural Energetic Therapy