Amanda Oswald is a leading myofascial release specialist in the United Kingdom. With a background of advanced bodywork and cognitive hypnotherapy, she takes a mind-body approach to healing chronic pain. Oswald is a member of the International Fascia Research Society and a regular attendee and speaker at international symposia and complementary therapy events. In addition to her clinic work, she runs fascia workshops teaching self-help for chronic pain.

• Chapter 1. What This Book Is About and Why I Wrote ItMy Work as a Myofascial Release TherapistMy Clients and Their Chronic PainMy ApproachSelf-Help and Self-EmpowermentWho This Book Is ForChapter 2. What Everyone with Chronic Pain Has in CommonFacts and Figures About Chronic PainWhat Everyone with Chronic Pain Has in CommonChapter 3. Bridging the Medical/Holistic DivideBackground to the Current Medical ModelHow the Medical Profession Carves Things UpThe Limits of Current Medical TreatmentsOffering Alternatives to the Medical ApproachResistance to a Holistic ApproachWhat This Has to Do with Chronic PainChapter 4. Why Holistic Approaches Are Now (Again) Being Taken SeriouslyThe Holistic ApproachNew Frontiers in Scientific ResearchPossibilities for the Holistic Treatment of Chronic PainWhat This Has to Do with Fascia and Myofascial ReleaseChapter 5. What Is Fascia?Introduction to FasciaUnlearning Traditional AnatomyFascial AnatomyWhat Fascia Is Made OfHow Fascia BehavesFascia as a Communication SystemFascia and the Extracellular Matrix (ECM)Fascia and EnergyFascial MemoryWhat Does This Mean for Fascia, Injury, and Disease?Chapter 6. Injury and FasciaIntroductionHow Injury Affects FasciaHow Injury to Fascia OccursThe Importance of Trigger PointsThe Link Between Fascia and Chronic PainChapter 7. How Chronic Pain DevelopsIntroductionWhat Is Pain?The “Normal” Mind-Body Pain Response (the Short Version)When Pain Becomes Chronic (the Short Version)The “Normal” Mind-Body Pain Response (the Long Version)Nerve Endings and ReceptorsThe BrainThe Brain and the Mind ComparedNeurotransmittersThe Normal Pain ResponseHow Normal Pain Becomes Chronic PainThe Unconscious YouHow Good Pain Turns BadWhat This Has to Do with FasciaChapter 8. What Is Myofascial Release?IntroductionMyo Fascia ReleaseHow Myofascial Release Works with FasciaMyofascial UnwindingWhat This Means for Helping YourselfChapter 9. Help Yourself Out of Chronic PainYou Get to ChooseUsing What You Know About FasciaIntroducing the Slow FixFascia-Friendly BreathingFascia-Friendly NutritionThe Foundations of Fascial HealthChapter 10. Typical Chronic Pain ConditionsIntroduction to the Chronic Pain ConditionsHead and Neck: Headaches, Migraines, and New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)Head and Neck: Neck Pain, Torticollis, WhiplashHead and Neck: TinnitusHead and Neck: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and Jaw PainRepetitive Strain Injury (RSI): A Word About RSINeck, Chest, and Arms: RSI – Thoracic Outlet SyndromeNeck, Chest, and Arms: RSI – Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis ElbowNeck, Chest, and Arms: RSI – Carpal Tunnel and TendonitisNeck, Chest, and Arms: RSI – Dupuytren’s Contracture and Trigger FingerShoulders: Rotator Cuff Injuries and Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)Back and Pelvis: Upper, Mid, or Low Back Pain, Prolapsed and Bulging DiscsBack and Pelvis: Sciatica and Piriformis SyndromeBack and Pelvis: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), Non-bacterial ProstatitisBack and Pelvis: Chronic Abdominal PainLegs, Hips, and Feet: Knee Pain and Runner’s KneeLegs, Hips, and Feet: Shin SplintsLegs, Hips, and Feet: Chronic Compartment Syndrome and Calf PainLegs, Hips, and Feet: Plantar Fasciitis and Heel SpursPain Syndromes: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME)Chapter 11. Fascial Activities, Stretches, and ExercisesIntroduction to the Activities, Stretches, and ExercisesEffect on Your FasciaGeneral Fascial Activities and How to Do ThemFascial Stretches and How to Do themMyofascial Ball Work and How to Do the Myofascial Ball ExercisesUsing Myofascial BallsUsing Foam RollersChapter 12. Fascia in the Wider WorldA More Fascia-Friendly WorkplaceFascia-Friendly Cardiovascular ExerciseOther Fascia-Friendly Activities and Movement Therapies to TryConclusion. Wrapping It All Up (in Fascia)