iMFT Workshop Schedules/Venues and Tutors

Your MFR Workshop Tutors

Mary Cunningham (above right) and Ruth Duncan (left) met on a soft tissue workshop in London and subsequently have attended several MFR seminars together in the US with John F Barnes.

Mary and Ruth saw an opportunity to share their soft tissue/fascial learnings and experiences by offering workshops in the UK and Ireland. Ruth teaches most of the UK workshops whilst Mary teaches in Ireland. They both teach together for the larger classes.

Mary Cunningham

Mary is a Physical Therapist, (M.I.A.P.T), Adv Myofascial Release Therapist and Reiki Master. She graduated with a Diploma in Physical Therapy from the Institute of Physical Therapy & Applied Science, Dublin in 1998, and currently runs a Physical Therapy practice at the Carton Clinic, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

For Mary, one of the many highlights of the Physical Therapy Diploma at the Institute was a series of workshops presented by Robert F. King, Chicago School of Massage Therapy, encapsulated within the undergraduate training programme. This was the beginning of a fascination with ‘fascia’, its clinical implications with regard to pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction and the powerfully therapeutic effect of myofascial release techniques on the mind/body complex of the human structure.

Following graduation, Mary furthered her knowledge of Fascial Release by studying John E. Upledger’s, Craniosacral Therapy (CST) in Ireland and Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains and meridians.

Since 2002, she has participated in the John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release (MFR) training programme in the United States .
In 2001, Mary assisted Bob King on the return to Ireland of the Robert King Seminar series.

Mary attained the position of Senior Tutor in the Physical Therapy faculty of the Institute where she devised an Integrated Myofascial Approach module as part of the Physical Therapy Senior year’s training programme, culminating in the development of iMFT Integrated Myofascial Therapy ,an innovative and stimulating programme of workshops for musculoskeletal healthcare professionals.

Ruth Duncan

Ruth has been involved in complementary therapies for a number of years and took the opportunity to study whilst living abroad. She graduated with honours as a Clinical Massage Therapist in 2000 from the Humanities Centre School of Massage in Florida , USA . Her training included various techniques including Relaxation, Swedish, Therapeutic, and Sports/Remedial Massage with the Neuromuscular component comprising of Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Positional Release (PR), and Trigger Point Therapy and ‘Barnes’ Myofascial Release (MFR).

On returning to Scotland Ruth furthered her training by studying ‘ Sports Injury Rehabilitation’ with Premier Training UK , Pre and Peri-natal Massage under Carole Osbourne-Sheets and Reiki. She also organised the first TouchPro chair massage course in Scotland and holds a diploma as an On-Site Practitioner. She also explored further fascial approaches including Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains and Meridians.

Ruth pursued her interest with the body/mind connection by studying Clinical Hypnotherapy allowing her access to various techniques from basic counseling skills, life strategies and goal setting which complement all of the therapies she practices. Ruth is also a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Ruth returned to the states in February 2003 to continue post graduate training with John F. Barnes who is the world’s leading authority on Myofascial Release (MFR). She completed the final advanced retreat MFR seminar in October 2004 and is also an assistant for the Barnes seminars in the US..

Ruth runs her own clinic just north of Glasgow, Scotland www.thenaturaltherapycentre.co.uk, specialising in the MFR approach in single sessions and intensive treatments.

imft Scottish graduates of 2006