FAQ

Your real question is: Do you treat my specific diagnosis?

The short answer is most likely YES.

My treatment approach is effective with lots of different diagnoses because it works with the key body systems that control every single part in your body. It addresses the area of symptoms, and it also finds other areas that are “secretly” making the problem more difficult.

Here’s a partial list:
Headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, neck pain, cervical disc problems, whiplash, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, scoliosis, back pain, lumbar spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, piriformis syndrome, hip pain, osteoarthritis, knee pain, shin splints, ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis, painful scars, adhesions, irritable bowel syndrome, and pelvic pain.

MFR is also very helpful for the effects of stroke, head injuries, Parkinson’s, and cerebral palsy. It does not cure the neurologic disease, but does improve balance, strength, and functional mobility, and reduce pain.

MFR is great for new injuries and chronic problems. It is safe and gentle for sensitive older folks and fantastic for kids! It is strong and precise for the elite athlete.

So, yes, MFR Physical Therapy works for many diagnoses, and (most importantly) yours!

The confidential fax number is 279-800-8674.

PDF files can be emailed securely to MFRphysio@gmail.com.

Both are HIPAA-secure for protected health information (PHI).

By appointment Monday through Friday, 9-6 – except for major holidays, planned vacations, continuing education training, sudden global catastrophes, and surprise birthday parties.

Call me on the phone. If you get voicemail, just leave a brief message and a (different) good time to call you back. I’ll try to get back in touch with you within one business day. You can also send one of those text-message SMS things.

You can schedule online with Jane. If she is not in her cubicle, she is probably flirting with the bike messenger down on the Contact Us page.

When you schedule your first visit, Jane will email you the Intake Questionnaire, which can be completed electronically or in person at the first visit. It provides information important to the treatment process and boring administrative necessities.

If you give at least 24 hours and one business day’s notice, you will help another poor soul on the waitlist, suffering for eternity in great pain, desperately hoping for you to cancel so they can get treatment (don’t laugh, it’s true!).

If you forget or cancel last minute and that poor soul is abandoned, hopelessly languishing on the waitlist for nothing and misses out, then you will pay dearly, my friend. (The one-hour treatment fee is due before your next visit.)

Kinda-sorta, If your plan includes “out-of-network” benefits, I can help you try to get reimbursement for some or most of your Physical Therapy cost. Certain conditions must be met to satisfy the evil insurance corporation and Orwellian government regulations.

After each session, I’ll give you a detailed “superbill” you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement directly to you. If you prefer, I can submit a professional claim to them on your behalf. Let’s talk about your specific situation.

No longer can do, sorry!

Reimbursement rates less than inflation and an oppressive regulatory burden makes “participating” in Medicare financially unsustainable for me.

For clients with regular Medicare, I can see you on a “wellness or health improvement” basis only: real treatment, but self-pay and no reimbursement. 

For clients on a Medicare-Advantage plan with confirmed “out-of-network” Physical Therapy benefits, I can help you try to get some reimbursement from your insurance company. But there are additional regulatory requirements, and payment is due at the time of service. 

Now, that kinda talk is music to my ears! You are taking more control of your own healing process. Which is absolutely positively necessary to get the best long-term result. So, yes.

And because you said the secret password, you are eligible for treatment packages that will save you even more.

Payment is due at the time of service.

I do like cash. Or good old-fashioned checks.

If you insist on paying with plastic, I’ll accept (with a customer service plastic smile) credit cards, debit cards, HSA cards, or employee flex-benefit cards.

It’s very important that you are at ease during the hands-on treatment process. So please wear whatever you prefer.

As a general guideline, loose-fitting shorts and a sports bra, sleeveless shirt, or swimsuit top works well for the ladies. For the guys, loose-fitting shorts are useful.

If the subject of gender is important to you, please let me know how to make you feel comfortable and respected.

Of course, you can change from your street clothes in private in the treatment room.

What NOT to wear:

Please don’t apply skin lotion before your appointment.

Please do not use perfumes, scented lotions, smoke, vape, or clean out the horse stalls without showering on the day of your appointment.

This process is not a quick-fix gimmick, but you may get results quickly – results that last. Of course, each client is unique in their timeframe. But you will get a good idea of your treatment plan on the first visit.

If you are using your insurance, we usually start with twice a week, later decreasing to once a week. When you have reached your specific therapy goals, then you’re done. 

If you are paying for your health and healing (good for you!), then once a week to start is fine. We tailor the plan to your personal goals, urgency, and availability.

Many clients come for a “tune-up” monthly to prevent flare-ups, manage chronic problems, or improve their health, agility, endurance, and strength.

Most of the time, the treatment feels good and feels like it is good for you. But there is “bad” pain and “good” pain. 

Bad pain is your body saying, “Hey, this is a problem, help!” You already have that. It will decrease or go away completely in due time with treatment. 

Sometimes, you will feel so good after a treatment that you re-aggravate old symptoms by increasing your activity level too quickly. It’s important not to “overdo it” just because you can.

When treatment on an area that does not usually hurt feels surprisingly painful, we found a restriction causing your symptoms. Soon it releases, and that good pain (and its related symptoms) disappears.

Unpredictably, a “healing crisis” occurs, and your body’s systems undergo an uncomfortable but natural and necessary purification process – the real good pain. But it is temporary, meaning real and good changes are finally happening.

I am a licensed physical therapist in California, earning my Master of Physical Therapy Degree from Samuel Merritt College in 1997. I qualify as an “Expert” in the John Barnes Myofascial Release Treatment Approach and accumulated 25 years of experience in almost all physical therapy clinical settings.

I do MFR self-treatment daily and get treated by other MFR practitioners frequently for my own health – but also to deepen my understanding and skill with MFR. I am profoundly grateful to John Barnes because I am still walking around on this crazy planet without needing any back or neck surgeries. Without MFR, I would certainly have had very dark times with my health.

Hopefully, my experience and perspective will brighten your path to optimal health and mobility!

In my pre-therapist life, I was a professional drummer. To my great surprise, “rich and famous rock star” wasn’t my grand destiny. Imagine that!

Now I just play for enjoyment, experimenting with hand drums, electronic percussion, and odd time signatures.

When I play my djembe, my sweet Black Labrador thinks I am calling her with the hand motions. But after her confusion fades, she just goes back to her nap. My beloved cranky little old cat thinks he is The Big Boss of Literally Everyone – and bullies the neighbors’ little dogs. He is the cat, and that’s that.