Meet Megan Ciccolo of Restrictions Released Myofascial Therapy in Whitman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Ciccolo.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Megan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The summer before my junior year of high school I underwent surgery for a significant knee injury followed by intense physical therapy. My physical therapist recognized that I would have a lot of time on my hands since I was unable to play sports for a year and she offered me a job as an aide at her clinic. Prior to this experience I had never even heard of physical therapy and this experience led me to pursue a career as a physical therapist. At the time, this knee injury was the end of the world to me; little did I know it was the beginning of the path to find my life’s work.

I graduated in 2002 from Northeastern University with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and then went on to complete a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2005. I worked in both inpatient and outpatient physical therapy settings but felt there was something missing from the care that I was able to provide for patients. I was eager to learn more treatment techniques and remembered one of my internship instructors recommended that I take myofascial release courses from John F. Barnes, PT. I took my first course almost 12 years ago which completely changed my life. Myofascial release was the treatment technique I had been looking for, it addresses the whole body and gets to the underlying root cause of the problem. Within a few months of taking that first course, I quit my job and opened my own business taking a more holistic approach to treating patients. I continued to take courses and now I am an expert level therapist in the John F. Barnes myofascial release technique with a thriving practice working out of the Whitman Wellness Center.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although the word “fascia” is still not common knowledge, it is talked about significantly more often in the main stream than 12 years ago when I started this work. When I started my business, it was challenging to get patients to come in for myofascial release treatment. People had no idea what their fascia was and why they would want to release it. Slowly my practice grew through word of mouth as the patients I treated found great success with this technique and were eager to share their experience with friends and family. In fact, I frequently get referrals from patients that I treated years ago.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Restrictions Released Myofascial Therapy – what should we know?
Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds every cell forming a continuous interconnected web throughout the body. Healthy fascia should be soft and pliable. A restriction in the fascia is caused when this tissue solidifies due to surgery, prolonged positioning, repetitive movements, physical or emotional trauma. We all have some level of restrictions in our bodies but over time these areas of tightness can build up creating changes in posture, impinging nerves, weakening muscles, all of which ultimately lead to pain. Myofascial release is a manual technique used to identify areas of restrictions in the body and release them by using sustained pressure of the therapist’s hands or elbow. The fascia is made up of 20% elastin and 80% collagen, the elastin will release quickly but the collagen needs a few minutes to transition from a solidified to a healthy gel like state. By opening up the fascia it allows the body to return to its natural state of health.

Fascia cannot be seen on any current diagnostic testing and many doctors are not trained to identify fascial restrictions, both of which are significant contributing factors in why so many patients with fascial restrictions go undiagnosed. The majority of my patients have seen many specialists and have tried various other treatments with little or no results. I am the last resort for many patients. They are desperate to get their lives back, to live without pain and be able to do what they want. They tell me their stories, full of fear that their lives will have to continue on their current paths, but then as I explain the fascial system to them and how all of their symptoms make sense to me their fear turns to hope. The greatest joy of my work is empowering patients to take their lives back. I teach them self-treatment techniques and help them to improve their body awareness. Over time they can become their own therapist. Every day patients tell me what a profound impact my work has had on their lives!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My desire to keep learning has been one of the keys to my success. I learn something from every patient that ends up on my treatment table. Each patient that I see makes me a better therapist for all the patients that follow. Every day I try to provide each patient the best care that I am capable of giving them. I also think my ability to empathize with what patients are going through allows me to connect with them as I guide them through this healing journey.

Pricing:

• $90 for 1 hour session

Contact Info:

• Address: 7 Marble St.
  Whitman, MA
• Website: www.restrictions-released.com

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