1. What is fascia?
2. How do you “release” fascia?
3. What can I expect to feel during and after treatment?
4. How long are treatment sessions?
5. What should I wear to treatment sessions?
6. How many visits does it take to feel better?
7. Do you take insurance?
8. Do you accept Medicare?
9. Do you take cash/checks/credit cards?
10. Do have evening or weekend appointments?
11. How do I schedule an appointment?
12. Where are you located?
13. What is your cancellation policy?
14. Do I need a prescription from a physician?
15. Is it ok for me to be late to a session?
16. What types of conditions do you usually treat?
17. What is the pelvic floor?

1. What Is fascia?

Fascia is a dense three dimensional connective tissue web that surrounds, supports, and protects every structure in our body.  It is a continuous entity that travels without interruption throughout our body from our head to our toes and front to our backs.   When it is injured, it dehydrates and places pressure on the structures that lie within it.   Read more about fascia here.

2.  How do you release fascia?

Unlike aggressive forms of soft tissue mobilization or some non-John Barnes Myofascial Release techniques, Myofascial Release should NOT be painful. While there is at times some mild discomfort as tissues are engaged, pressures can and should always be modified to a tolerable level to the patient.

Myofascial Release uses low load, long duration hold of at least 3-5 minutes to dynamically change the structure of the fascia and allow it to re-hydrate to take pressure off of pain causing structures.

As the therapist sinks into the tissue restriction, connects, and waits for the tissue to change without forcing the system, patients are often able to feel the connection of the restrictions to other parts of the body. I teach awareness of this three dimensional tissue web and through this awareness more profound tissue releases are achieved. Patients often describe the feeling of fascial release as the feeling of butter melting or taffy stretching. My favorite explanation of what fascial release feels like comes from a 10 year old little girl who told me “it feels like warm caramel being spread into a pan!”

Myofascial Release practitioners are also sensitive to how there is often an emotional component to pain and dysfunction. It is not uncommon for tissue memory and emotion to be caught in a fascial restriction and for this emotion to surface as the restriction is released. A skilled Myofascial Therapist can effectively help guide you through this process and facilitate a deeper healing experience.

3. What can I expect to feel during and after treatment?

Patients often feel the connection of fascial restrictions to different parts of their body during treatment.  This often feels like a spider web into connecting to surrounding areas of the body but can also feel like an area is hot, hard, or tender.  Pain or discomfort, if felt, should be brief and therapeutic in nature.  A “hurts so good” kind of pain.

After treatments it is common to feel amazing!  Many people feel a tremendous relief of pain and a significant improvement in range of motion.

It is not uncommon, however, to have a temporary increase in soreness or pain.  We call that a healing crisis.  As the body is shifting out of a dysfunctional restriction pattern into a more functional pattern, it takes time for that reorganization to occur in some people.  It is not unexpected and should not be met with fear, but rather with an understanding that it is the body dynamically changing patterns!  If this should occur, be sure to drink some extra water, get plenty of rest, sit in a warm bath if it sounds good, and ride the wave of change.  You can also call the office with any questions about this process.

4.  How long are treatment sessions?

Treatment sessions are 55 minutes in duration.  Treatments begin and end promptly on time.  The hour is specifically reserved for you to receive a one on one treatment session.  A brief consultation about how you are feeling that day, manual treatment itself, and any instructions are included in the hour.  It is recommend that you arrive a few minutes early so you have the chance to breathe and prepare for your session.  I understand that things happen and you may run late every once in awhile.  Realize however that appointment times can not be extended due to any tardiness. Please call the office if you are going to be running significantly behind.

5.  What should I wear to treatment sessions?

Myofascial Release is best performed skin on skin to connect to and change the fascial restrictions in the most effective way.  That being said, I want you to feel comfortable and maintain your modesty.  Most women choose to wear loose fitting shorts, a tank top, a bra or a swimsuit top that can be unclasped in the back if the upper back or neck needs to be addressed.  Men typically wear a loose fitting pair of athletic type shorts.

6. How many visits does it take to start feeling better?

Most patients feel an improvement after their very first visit, but for some people progress is a bit slower.  I expect your to be making positive progress towards your goals by at least the 6th visit.  Timing of visits can also be an important factor.  More consistent treatments more closely spaced tend to lead to faster results.  As you are feeling better and maintaining your progress, treatments may be spaced farther apart.

7. Do you take/file my insurance?

Central Texas Myofascial Release does not participate with any insurance providers and is considered an Out of Network provider.  The reason for this is that the business model needed for a successful insurance based practice is not one I choose to follow.  Typical insurance based therapists are basically required to see multiple patients an hour, utilize multiple modalities and gym based exercises for multiple people at a time simply to meet their overhead. They also usually must employ support staff to help with billing and insurance contracts.  Patients perform and are billed for exercises they could easily do at home by themselves.  Insurance reimbursement patterns and allowable modalities unfortunately influence the care received by many patients.  I have chosen to not participate with any insurance companies so that I may focus on YOU and your specific treatment needs without this influence.  You receive one on one manual therapy for an hour with a highly trained therapist which leads to quicker and more lasting treatment results.

Patients who utilize Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Services at Central Texas Myofascial Release may choose to try to self submit a claim to receive reimbursement for their out of pocket therapy expenses.  However, all payments are collected in full at time of service.  You will need to contact your insurance company to ask about your out of network physical therapy benefits. This Insurance Benefits Worksheet can be used as a resource to call your insurance company to determine benefits before your first visit.  A Superbill will be given to you by request at the time of service for you to file with your insurance.  Patients with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Programs may be able to use those funds towards therapy services.  Contact your provider with questions.

Non- Pelvic Floor Related Myofascial Releases sessions are performed under Erin’s Massage Therapy license.

Massage Therapy is not typically covered by insurance companies, however some do so be sure to check with your provider for a specific answer.  You may be able to use your Flexible Spending Account or HSA for massage therapy services if you have a prescription from your doctor and the massage is being used to treat a physical defect or illness.  It is your responsibility to check for HSA/FSA massage benefits.

8.  Do you accept Medicare?

No. Central Texas Myofascial Release is not a Medicare provider or supplier and we do not submit claims to Medicare for Physical Therapy Services.  If you are a Medicare Beneficiary and have questions about your status, please contact us and we will try to answer your questions to the best of our ability.

9.  Do you take cash/checks/credit cards?

Yes.  Cash, checks, and Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted.  Payment in full is due at the time of service.

10. Do you have evening or weekend appointments?

Sessions are scheduled during normal business hours and can be made here.  Evening, weekend, or extended treatments can be made, subject to availability, for an extra fee.  Contact us with your specific needs.

11.  How do I schedule an appointment?

Scheduling is available 24 hours a day to you using our convenient online scheduling program. You can make, change, or cancel an appointment using the scheduling program.  If the date and time you prefer is unavailable please add yourself to the waitlist which can be accessed through your patient account.

12. Where are you located?

Central Texas Myofascial Release is now located at 8500 North Mopac Expressway #701, Austin TX, 78759.  The office entrance is in the back left hand corner (southwest corner) of the complex.

13. What is your cancellation policy?

We require you notify us at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment time or you will be charged the full amount of your treatment session.

14.  Do I need a prescription from a physician?

You will need a Physical Therapy prescription for Pelvic Floor conditions from your Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Chiropractor, or Dentist for Physical Therapy Treatment.  Texas Law allows for a Physical Therapist to treat for 10 business days without a prescription, but because most pelvic floor patients will need to be seen for longer than 10 business days, I request that the prescription be obtained prior to treatment.

Myofasical Release Services for other conditions do not require a prescription.

15.  Is it ok for me to be late to a session?

You will have an entire hour reserved specifically for you and your treatment.  We understand you may be running a little bit behind on rare occasions.  Unfortunately, treatment sessions can not be lengthened due to your tardiness and full payment is still required.  If you are self filing an insurance claim, realize that most Physical Therapy billing codes are time based and missed time will be reflected in your Superbill.

16. What conditions do you usually treat?

Myofascial Release is used to treat many different conditions.  See a list of common issues here.

17.  What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a term used to describe the group of muscles that form a sling between the pubic bone and the tail bone.  The muscles of the pelvic floor serve many important functions.  Imbalance within these tissues can lead to a number of problematic conditions including incontinence, pain, and sexual dysfunction.  Learn more here.