MOD108 – MELT Method

Definition

The MELT Method is a self-care technique developed by Sue Hitzmann that focuses on improving joint stability, reducing chronic pain, and enhancing overall well-being by addressing the connective tissue system of the body, particularly the fascia. It aims to restore the supportive qualities of the connective tissue system, bringing stability and balance back to the body.

Explanation

The MELT Method uses specially designed hand and foot treatment balls and custom-made soft rollers to apply gentle compression and tension to the body’s fascia. This technique aims to rehydrate the fascia, improve its mobility, and release unwanted compression and tension that may contribute to chronic pain and stiffness. The method is based on the “4Rs” principle: Reconnect, Rebalance, Rehydrate, and Release. By performing these gentle techniques, practitioners can improve autonomic regulation, enhance mobility, and reduce the effects of accumulated tension and stress caused by daily living. The MELT Method is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with practitioners reporting immediate benefits such as feeling lighter, freer in movement, and more balanced after each session.

Evidence to Efficacy

The MELT Method has demonstrated promising efficacy through scientific research and user experiences. A significant study conducted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in partnership with the MELT team provides compelling evidence for the method’s effectiveness.

This research, presented at the 2015 Fascia Research Congress, focused on individuals with chronic low back pain. The study revealed that MELT participants experienced:

• A 43% immediate decrease in pain, with a 31% long-term reduction
• A 9% immediate increase in flexibility, rising to 24% long-term
• A 26% immediate decrease in fascial layer thickness, improving to 34% long-term
• An 8% immediate increase in stress relaxation time in specific spinal areas, maintained at 7% long-term

These results demonstrate MELT’s ability to create both immediate and lasting improvements in pain reduction, flexibility, and connective tissue health.

Furthermore, the MELT Method’s focus on fascia health aligns with current scientific understanding of the body’s connective tissue system. Researchers like Helene Langevin have shown that techniques similar to those used in MELT can positively impact tissue health at a cellular level, influencing pain perception and overall wellbeing.

The method’s emphasis on self-assessment and body awareness also contributes to its effectiveness. By encouraging practitioners to tune into their bodies, MELT enhances proprioception and interoception, leading to improved movement quality and reduced pain.

While more extensive research is ongoing, the existing evidence, combined with positive user testimonials, suggests that the MELT Method offers a valuable approach to pain management, mobility improvement, and overall physical wellbeing.

Neuroscience and Physiology

The MELT Method harnesses the fascinating interplay between the nervous system and connective tissue to promote healing and overall wellbeing. At its core, MELT focuses on rehydrating fascia, the body’s intricate network of connective tissue, which plays a crucial role in our physical and neurological functioning.

Fascia: The Body’s Quantum Network

Fascia, composed primarily of collagen, acts as a superconductor within the body. This property allows it to transmit forces and information rapidly throughout the entire system, much like quantum entanglement enables instantaneous communication between particles. The collagen matrix in fascia responds to gentle pressure and tension applied during MELT, initiating a cascade of physiological responses.

Neurological Regulation

MELT techniques directly impact the autonomic nervous system, enhancing the body’s ability to self-regulate. This process involves:

1. Calming the mind
2. Tapping into autonomic regulators
3. Restoring balance to the body

These effects are similar to how quantum systems achieve equilibrium through interactions with their environment.

Rehydration and Cellular Communication

The gentle compression and tension applied during MELT sessions improve fluid flow throughout the fascia. This rehydration process enhances cellular communication, much like how quantum coherence allows for efficient information transfer in quantum systems. The improved hydration leads to:

• Enhanced mobility
• Increased stability
• Improved performance
• Reduced chronic pain

Interoception and Proprioception

MELT’s focus on slow, sensation-based movements enhances interoception (internal body awareness) and proprioception (spatial awareness). This heightened awareness is analogous to the observer effect in quantum mechanics, where the act of observation influences the system being observed.

Fascial Thickness and Stress Relaxation

Research has shown that MELT techniques result in:

• A 26% immediate decrease in fascial layer thickness, improving to 34% long-term
• An 8% immediate increase in stress relaxation time in specific spinal areas, maintained at 7% long-term

These changes in tissue properties demonstrate the method’s ability to influence the body’s physical structure at a cellular level.

Quantum-Like State Transitions

The MELT Method’s ability to create rapid shifts in the body’s state is reminiscent of quantum phase transitions. Just as electrons in a quantum crystal can melt into a more disordered fluid state, MELT techniques facilitate a transition from a state of tension and pain to one of relaxation and improved function.

By leveraging these principles, the MELT Method offers a unique approach to self-care that addresses both the physical and neurological aspects of health, promoting lasting improvements in overall wellbeing.

Governing Body

The MELT Method training and certification are exclusively provided by the official MELT Method organisation. Key points about their certification process include:

1. MELT Method Instructor Training: This is the official training programme for those wishing to become certified MELT instructors.
2. Certification Levels: MELT offers various levels of certification, allowing instructors to progress in their expertise.
3. Continuing Education: Certified instructors are required to participate in ongoing education to maintain their certification.
4. Global Reach: While based in the United States, MELT Method training is available internationally, including online options.
5. Quality Control: The MELT Method organisation maintains strict standards for instructor certification and practice to ensure consistency and quality in the delivery of the method.

For the most up-to-date information on training and certification, interested individuals can visit the official MELT Method website at [https://meltmethod.com](https://meltmethod.com).

What Good Looks Like

When you experience a good MELT Method session, you’ll notice several key elements that set it apart:

• You’ll feel a sense of deep relaxation. The techniques are designed to calm and rebalance your nervous system, so you should find the experience profoundly soothing.
• You’ll notice the subtlety of the techniques. All compression techniques occur in short duration with light pressure, which is a hallmark of the MELT Method.
• You’ll experience immediate results. After just one session, you should feel changes in your posture, flexibility, energy, and mood.
• You’ll sense a rehydration of your connective tissue. The MELT Method aims to restore fluid flow throughout your fascial matrix, so you might feel a sense of improved mobility and reduced tension.
• You’ll become more aware of your body. The session should enhance your mind-body connection, helping you identify areas of tension or imbalance.
• You’ll feel more symmetrical and balanced. The combination of MELT techniques should leave you feeling more aligned and stable.
• You’ll notice a reduction in any chronic pain or tension. The method is designed to address these issues, so you should feel relief.
• You’ll experience improved joint mobility. MELT aims to restore space to compressed joints, so you should feel an increased range of motion.
• You’ll feel energised yet calm. The session should leave you with a sense of renewed energy coupled with a relaxed state.
• You’ll notice improvements in your overall well-being. This might include better sleep, improved digestion, and a general sense of vitality.

Remember, while these effects can be felt immediately, regular practice is key to maintaining and enhancing these benefits.

What to Ask a Practitioner

Here are key questions to ask when selecting an exceptional MELT Method practitioner, along with desired answers:

How do you incorporate the ‘4Rs’ in your MELT sessions?

Desired answer: Mentions of “Reconnect, Rebalance, Rehydrate, and Release”. The practitioner should explain how these steps address “stuck stress” and restore balance to the body.

Can you explain how you use the ‘Living Body Model’ in your practice?

Desired answer: References to the “four control systems: Neurofascial, Neurocore, Neuromuscular, and Neurofluid”. A competent practitioner should explain how MELT techniques improve the function of these interconnected systems.

How do you tailor MELT techniques for different client needs?

Desired answer: Mentions of specific techniques like “Hand and Foot Treatments” for those with limited mobility, or “Rebalance sequences” for active individuals. The practitioner should also reference assessing the client’s “Autopilot system”.

What specific MELT tools do you use, and how do they mimic hands-on therapy?

Desired answer: Descriptions of “soft rollers” and “treatment balls”. The practitioner should explain how these tools simulate “fascial gliding techniques” and “point-specific compression”.

How do you incorporate ‘Hands-Off Bodywork’ principles in your sessions?

Desired answer: Explanations of self-assessment techniques like the “Neck Check” and “Stuck Stress Test”. The practitioner should emphasise teaching clients to become their own “hands-off bodyworker”.

Can you describe how you address the ‘Autopilot’ system in MELT?

Desired answer: Mentions of techniques like “Upper Body Compression” and “Lower Body Compression”. The practitioner should explain how these techniques “reset the nervous system’s autopilot”.

How do you use MELT to improve the ‘Neurocore’ system?

Desired answer: References to the “Core 4” (diaphragm, pelvic floor, deep core, and deep back muscles). The practitioner should mention techniques like “Pelvic Clock” and “Rib Cage Release”.

How do you incorporate MELT’s focus on fascia health in your sessions?

Desired answer: Explanations of “Glide” and “Shear” movements. The practitioner should discuss how these techniques improve “fascial hydration and mobility”.

Can you explain how MELT addresses ‘stuck stress’ in the body?

Desired answer: Descriptions of how MELT techniques identify and release areas of tension. The practitioner should mention how this process helps “improve autonomic regulation” and “restore fascial supportive qualities”.

An exceptional MELT practitioner should demonstrate a deep understanding of these specific concepts and techniques, using the terminology unique to MELT in their explanations.

Self-Study Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about the MELT Method, here are some valuable resources:

Books

The MELT Method by Sue Hitzmann – The definitive guide to the MELT Method, offering comprehensive insights into the technique’s principles, self-treatment protocols, and scientific foundations.

Online Resources

Official MELT Method YouTube Channel – Provides authoritative, professionally produced content directly from the method’s creators, featuring technique demonstrations and expert guidance.

20-Minute Introduction to MELT – An accessible entry point for beginners, offering a comprehensive overview of basic MELT techniques and foundational principles.

20-Minute Upper Body Revitalisation – A targeted session demonstrating specific techniques for releasing upper body tension and improving fascial health.

Full Hand Treatment – A detailed tutorial exploring the intricate hand treatment techniques that are crucial to the MELT Method’s approach.

10-Minute Low Back Pain Relief – A focused session addressing one of the most common areas of chronic pain, showcasing the method’s practical applications.

Live MELT Restore Session with Sue Hitzmann – An immersive experience featuring the method’s founder demonstrating advanced techniques in real-time.

MELT On Demand – A comprehensive digital platform offering structured video tutorials and guided sessions for practitioners at all levels.

Social Media Channels

Facebook – Provides community interaction, user testimonials, and method updates.

Instagram – Visual demonstrations of MELT techniques and practitioner experiences.

X (formerly known as Twitter)– Quick updates and method-related news.

LinkedIn – Professional networking and industry insights.

These resources offer a comprehensive introduction to the MELT Method, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical demonstrations to help you understand and begin implementing the technique.

Related Therapies

Myofascial Release (MOD095): A soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain.

Yoga Therapy (MOD182): A physical and spiritual practice that combines postures, breath control, and meditation. Yoga can complement Reiki by promoting physical flexibility and mental clarity, enhancing overall well-being.

Feldenkrais Method (MOD056): A form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning.

Rolfing Structural Integration (MOD096): A form of bodywork that reorganises the connective tissues to realign and balance the body.

Craniosacral Therapy (MOD090): A gentle hands-on technique that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction.

Somatic Experiencing (MOD152): Focuses on releasing physical tension and trauma-related symptoms by regulating the nervous system’s response to stress and trauma.

Alexander Technique (MOD009): An educational method focusing on unlearning harmful postural habits to improve movement, balance, and coordination.

Pilates (MOD130): A low-impact exercise system that focuses on strengthening the core, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall body awareness through controlled movements and breathing techniques, often using specialized equipment.

Zen Shiatsu (MOD098): A Japanese massage technique that uses finger and palm pressure to stimulate acupuncture points.