Walt Fritz, PT has been a physical therapist since 1985 and has been practicing myofascial release (MFR) since 1992. After training with and working for some of the pioneers of the MFR field, he began to move the traditional myofascial release narrative from its historical roots into more modern and accepted narratives of neurological explanation. He has taught MFR workshops to PTs, OTs, and MTs since 2006, with his work being taught in comprehensive Upper Body and Lower Body workshops. In 2013 introduced The Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminar for Neck, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders, directed toward the unique patient population of the speech-language pathologists and other voice professionals. He teaches across the United States, Canada, and abroad.

Walt’s calls his work myofascial release as that term best represents the style of engagement most frequently recognized as myofascial release but has moved beyond the belief that one is capable of singularly and selectively able to target one tissue, fascia or otherwise, for intervention to the exclusion of all else. Traditionally trained myofascial release therapists may at first take issue with Walt’s diminished emphasis on the belief that we are impacting fascia as a direct and primary result of treatment but soon see the simplicity of an approach that acknowledges all possibilities, from skin to brain. Touch and manual therapy have universal qualities that can be explained in a wide variety of ways, including from a myofascial release perspective. He uses a strong base of neurologic-based effects and influences to explain how his work impacts the human condition. He also has developed a novel patient–centered approach to evaluation and treatment, one that put the patient in greater control of the intervention. Walt sees patients at his physical therapy practice in Rochester, NY.

Financial Relationship Discloure: Speaker receives royalties from Talk Tools, Compton Publishing, Ltd., PatCom.

Non-Financial Relationship Disclosure: None