Hello, I am Deborah.
…and I offer Myofascial Release because I have benefited so tremendously from it myself!
As an avid snowboarder, cyclist, runner and climber (by way of trapeze, breakdancing and LOTS of work at a computer), by the age of 40 my body was beginning to feel the effects of all that fun I’d had in my teens, twenties and thirties.
After being in so much discomfort I could no longer run and suffered regular, bad headaches (seeking help from a variety of therapists over 15 years) I found the John F. Barnes method of myofascial release. After one session my discomfort alleviated hugely and I felt 10 times lighter. I could run again, my headaches lessened and my life improved.
I realised that just because I was in my forties and had had an active life, I did not have to accept that stiffness and limited movement were just ‘par for the course.’ I could still very much have that active life.
A few years later, I suffered two weeks of virtual immobility and pain in my leg so uncomfortable I had trouble sleeping and could barely walk. I had been diagnosed with sciatica by two practitioners and alas nothing I had tried had helped to ease the discomfort I was in. I went to an MFR practitioner, who discovered it in fact to be a fascial restriction in my ankle that was causing fascial structures in my hip to tighten and compress a nerve* and in one, 40- minute session, I was pain free and have been unbothered by the issue ever since.
Hooked completely by this extraordinarily gentle and effective therapy (that I had never heard of and could rarely find practitioners of), I trained first in massage and received my MFHT, iTEC Dip 3 Massage qualification with merit grade in December 2020. I worked for a year as a massage therapist and I have since completed the Certificate in Integrated Myofascial Therapy (qualifying with distinction) with Myofascial Release UK to become a certified Myofascial therapist.
I am also studying in-depth with my mentor (a specialist in post-surgical MFR and scar tissue) in a clinical environment and am continually diving into texts and webinars on this phenomenal modality.
Prior to this work, I practiced as a Yoga teacher (RYT200) for ten years. For seven years I was workshop facilitator and embodiment practitioner. Thus, I bring to my MFR sessions a deep awareness of body understanding, the effects of emotional, environmental and work conditions on the bodily system and how to help clients that are new to any sort of bodywork feel comfortable and relaxed.
I approach treatment holistically, understanding that all systems are interconnected and that a calm and happy body seems to more readily heal itself. I am realising more and more that our stories and experiences about what pain is as the client are what really matter - and working on those as well as the body are critical to the healing journey.
My goal is to meet your body where it is in the moment of treatment and in the greater context of your lifestyle. I will work with you to seek to help alleviate the symptoms that are associated with your condition, to find a greater range of movement and physical freedom and - as importantly - more hope that your body is NOT at the mercy of your condition, injury, restriction, scar tissue, posture - or indeed - your electronic device.
It is important to add here that MFR therapy isn’t always a ‘one and done’ quick cure. It cannot claim to miraculously fix things (no-one can!) Our bodies are, let’s be honest, constantly at the mercy of bad chairs and desks, car seats, work strain, stress, daily use and maybe some old scar tissue or a new injury. It may take a good few sessions to unravel things - or the support of on-going treatment, plus some lifestyle changes, some strengthening exercises, (or even some relaxing ones) but this is all part and parcel of what we will talk about in session.
*How can this be!?’ you ask…find out HERE
My lovely therapy space at FeelGood Therapies in Pottergate, central Norwich
My Continuing Professional Development
In addition to the CiMFT diploma and training I have completed, I am also qualified by The SEED Institute in Manual Lymphatic Drainage for cancer and oedema and am ‘Rock Doc’ certified RockTape FMT level 1 & 2 (advanced course and assessment) to use sports taping.
I have also completed the following to continue my development;
Advanced Myofascial Techniques for the Lower and Upper Body (30 Hours) with MFR UK
Over 120 mentoring hours in a professional clinic as an intern with a focus on post-operative rehabilitation and scar tissue (in-person)
‘Rock Doc’ Rock Tape kinesiotaping certified - level 1 & 2, advanced course and assessment (14 hours in person)
Level 3 in First Aid at Work (RQF) - qualification #610/0753/5
An evidence-based approach to Scar Tissue Management (14 hours) with MFR UK
The Trauma Series with Tanya Desfontaines (polyvagal theory, states of hyper/hypo arousal, working with the jaw, face, throat and voice) - School of Bodywork (6-week series online)
Pelvic Balancing Pro (50-hour course online) with MFR UK
‘TMJ Dysfunction’ with Helen Baker - School of Bodywork
‘MFR Master session Foot & Ankle’ with MFR UK (online)
‘MFR Master Session Cranial Techniques’ with MFR UK (online)
‘MFR Master Session Top Tips for TMJ’ with MFR UK (online)
‘MFR Shoulder Techniques Master Session’ with MFR UK (online)
Fascial Unwinding - Working With Emotion (15 hours, in-person)
Managing soft tissue injuries - an integrated approach module 1 (Foot and Ankle) - with Tom Myers
Assessing idiopathic pelvic pain with Jing Massage School (online)
Herniated disc (online) CPD course with Jing Massage School
MASCED (melanoma and skin cancer early detection) accredited
I am also a proud member of the Feel Good Norfolk Directory, a social enterprise and online resource for finding trusted, wellness practitioners and the MFR UK Therapist Directory
