Product Details

• Actors: Kim Crane Sean Riehl, Sean Riehl
• Directors: Kim Crane Sean Riehl
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: December 12, 2000
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0970363346
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,163 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Dynamic Chiropractic Jul 28, 2003

These DVDs are packed with great tools you can mix into your practice as adjuncts to the adjustment.

About the Actor

Sean Riehl has taught massage nationally, presented at the AMTA California conference, written multiple articles appearing in Massage Magazine and the Biotone Newsletter as well as being the author of a number of DVDs on massage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, January 9, 2006

By 

Tom "Tom" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Myofascial Release DVD (DVD)

If you want to learn myofascial release- I highly recommend this DVD. It covers alot of ground, and I found that I was able to apply the technques immediately into my practice. The filming is clear and there are alot of great graphics that help to make the information easy to understand. Some programs that I have watched have hours of explanation and just a little technque- this is not that way, Mr. Riehl explains the rationale concisely, and then shows the technques- so it never gets boring. This DVD along with Advanced Myofascial Release make a great set.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fundamentally Important, January 3, 2009

By 

Eden Russell (Provincetown, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Myofascial Release DVD (DVD)

"But why are my shoulders so tight!"
"I have this huge lump in my neck!"
"It feels as if I have wires in my back!"

Don't all therapists hear this every day of their careers? But how many of us can provide a short, clear, easy to understand explanation? Beginning Myofascial Release not only does that but offers a wealth of information and suddenly all these things we learned in our anatomy lessons start making sense. When doing deep work we are told to "do a few nice strokes first" and "do not forget to stretch". Instead of doing it mechanically as a part of a sequence, after watching this DVD, all pieces fell back to place and I can freely integrate myofascial work in my massages.

Un the beginning of the video Sean Riehl introduces himself and begins by pointing out several important theoretical points. He takes his time explaining the structure of soft tissues and pays special attention to the structure and properties of the fascia. A very important point he makes is about the speed and force involved in the work. It is very different from deep tissue massage as all done with very light pressure - there is an extensive section on why this is so fundamentally important.

Next, release techniques are shown and discussed and they include skin rolling, cross-handed stretches, arm/leg pulls and transverse diaphragm releases. Evaluation of tissues and recognizing the places where the fascia is stuck or restricted are also commented on in lenght, followed by a short demonstration. Treatment of scars is the next topic covered, with the related specific techniques.

In the next portion of the video Sean Riehl explains how fascia restrictions in one area of the body can learn to distortions elsewhere as well and how to correct them. The leg and arm pulls are shown with pointers how to test the fascia for restrictions. Then several fascia lines are explained and also the best way to approach and treat them.

Total run time is about 75 minutes and it's packed full with information. Unfortunately, despite its paramount importance, myofascial work isn't covered very well in schools and the only way to learn it is through continuous education. While it can't replace a real workshop, it's a great way to learn the basics for a fraction of the price. It's packed with very useful information, Seal Riehl is a great teacher who is easy to understand and follow. I feel that the $40 I spent on this DVD are a priceless investment.

Even though I'm not confident to add "myofascial release" to "what I do" on my business card, I'm able to integrate it in my bodywork and I've found it to be extremely effective paired with deep tissue massage. As light touch is the key to myofascial work, tissues cannot be damaged and in the worst possible scenario you will just waste the time of your client. Unlike some other DVDs where a more forceful approach is necessary, I felt pretty safe to test any of the techniques suggested in this DVD. I was very pleased with the results.

I also recommend purchasing the Advanced Myofascial Release as it complements the first video and allows for more savings.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, February 5, 2002

By 

carlene lutes (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Myofascial Release [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video is great! The graphics are wonderful and the techniques are clearly filmed and easy to follow. I have both videos- Beginning and Advanced, and together they really give full coverage of Myofascial techniques. This is important information that will help any proffesional massage therapist who wants to work with postural distortions and injuries in a gentle and skilled way.