The Power of Time: Longer Appointments, Better Results

Dr. Brian Abelson
Feb 4
7 min read

Updated: Apr 11

When it comes to musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, time isn’t just a factor—it’s often the deciding factor between persistent pain and meaningful recovery. Unfortunately, many healthcare practices still prioritize quantity over quality, offering quick, five-minute treatments that may temporarily relieve symptoms but rarely create lasting change.

Over time, we have understood that true healing often requires more than a quick fix. It takes time, careful attention, and a comprehensive approach that considers each patient's unique needs. Through years of experience, dedicating 30-minute sessions at least once a week and a personalized functional exercise program tends to support better outcomes for chronic conditions. While no approach is perfect, this method has consistently helped many of our patients reduce pain and improve function.

Why 30-Minute Sessions Make a Difference in the Initial Treatment Phase

Addressing Complex Compensations:Chronic conditions aren’t isolated problems. They involve layers of compensation, where the body adapts in ways that create dysfunctional movement patterns. These patterns can't be unraveled in rushed, segmented sessions. Longer appointments provide the space needed to uncover and address the root causes.
The Power of a Multimodal Approach:Techniques like osseous manipulation, myofascial release, fascial expansions, and neuromuscular re-education require more than just a few minutes to be effective. These methods work synergistically, but only when given the time to be applied thoroughly.
Deeper, Lasting Corrections:When pain persists, it often signals deeper imbalances that quick treatments can’t fully address. Extended sessions allow for comprehensive care, ensuring that corrections aren’t just temporary fixes but lasting solutions.

Breaking the Chronic Pain Cycle with Extended Sessions

Chronic pain isn’t just about physical discomfort—it reshapes how the body moves and functions. Neuromuscular inhibition, fascial adhesions, and restricted mobility become ingrained, making it even harder to break the cycle without focused, hands-on work.

Focused Care for Complex Cases: In severe cases, a short-term increase in treatment frequency—such as two 30-minute sessions per week—can accelerate progress. This concentrated effort helps disrupt persistent pain cycles and restore normal function more quickly.
Efficiency Through Depth: While it may seem counterintuitive, longer sessions often reduce the overall number of treatments needed. By addressing multiple dysfunctions in one appointment, patients recover faster with fewer visits.

Maximizing MSR's Impact: Fascial Expansions & Neuromuscular Integration

Motion Specific Release (MSR) isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about restoring the body’s natural balance. Our approach integrates meridian-based fascial release, drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to target key acupuncture points and correct kinetic chain imbalances.

Comprehensive Techniques: Longer sessions allow us to combine fascial, osseous, and neuromuscular methods seamlessly. This integration ensures not just temporary relief but deep, sustained improvements in mobility and function.

The Role of 15-Minute Sessions in Maintenance Care

Once the heavy lifting is done and significant pain and dysfunction are resolved, shorter sessions become incredibly effective.

From Correction to Reinforcement: Maintenance care focuses on fine-tuning movement patterns, reinforcing neuromuscular adaptations, and preventing relapse. It’s about keeping the gains you’ve worked hard to achieve.
Sustaining Long-Term Stability: With the foundation set during the initial phase, these quick check-ins help ensure long-term resilience and optimal performance.

Strategic Timing: The Key to Long-Term Success

Achieving a 90%+ success rate in MSK care doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of a thoughtfully structured treatment process:

Invest Time Early: Longer, more frequent sessions during the correction phase lay the groundwork for lasting change.
Transition Strategically: Moving from 30-minute treatments to 15-minute maintenance visits ensures continued progress and minimizes the risk of setbacks.
Focus on the Big Picture: It’s not just about feeling better today—it’s about building a healthier, more resilient future.

Conclusion

We understand that healthcare decisions often come with financial considerations, and it's natural to weigh the cost of treatment carefully. However, it's also important to recognize that no one wants to invest in ineffective care that only provides temporary relief without addressing the root cause.

Our approach focuses on efficiency and effectiveness. By dedicating sufficient time to comprehensive treatments early on, we aim to reduce the overall number of sessions needed, leading to faster recovery and fewer long-term expenses. It's about making each session count, providing care that not only helps you feel better but also helps you stay better.

In the end, investing in your health is one of the most valuable decisions you can make. With a structured, thoughtful approach, we strive to ensure that every moment of your care is time—and money—well spent.

References

Lin, I., Wiles, L., Waller, R., Goucke, R., Nagree, Y., Gibberd, M., & Maher, C. G. (2020). What does best practice care for musculoskeletal pain look like? Eleven consistent recommendations from high-quality clinical practice guidelines: systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(2), 79-86.
Babatunde, O. O., Bishop, A., Cottrell, E., Jordan, J. L., Corp, N., & van der Windt, D. A. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the quality of life of people with musculoskeletal pain: is the focus on pain intensity and disability justified? Pain, 160(2), 275-286.
Oliveira, C. B., Maher, C. G., Pinto, R. Z., Traeger, A. C., Lin, C. C., Chenot, J. F., & Ferreira, M. L. (2018). Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care: an updated overview. European Spine Journal, 27(11), 2791-2803.
Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., Chou, R., Cohen, S. P., Gross, D. P., & Woolf, A. D. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383.
Hayden, J. A., Ellis, J., Ogilvie, R., Malmivaara, A., & van Tulder, M. W. (2018). Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD009790.
Kamper, S. J., Apeldoorn, A. T., Chiarotto, A., Smeets, R. J., Ostelo, R. W., Guzman, J., & van Tulder, M. W. (2014). Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for chronic low back pain: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 350, h444.
Scascighini, L., Toma, V., Dober-Spielmann, S., & Sprott, H. (2008). Multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain: a systematic review of interventions and outcomes. Rheumatology, 47(5), 670-678.
Waterschoot, F. P., Dijkstra, P. U., Geertzen, J. H., & Reneman, M. F. (2014). Dose or content? Effectiveness of pain rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review. Pain, 155(1), 179-189.

DR. BRIAN ABELSON, DC. - The Author

With over 30 years of clinical experience and having treated more than 25,000 patients, Dr. R. Brian Abelson is the creator of the Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems—a powerful, evidence-based approach designed to achieve effective, lasting results.

As an internationally best-selling author, Dr. Abelson is dedicated to sharing knowledge and techniques that benefit the broader healthcare community. His passion for continuous learning drives him to integrate cutting-edge methodologies into the MSR programs, with a strong focus on multidisciplinary collaboration.

At the heart of his work is a commitment to patient-centered care, constantly evolving to advance treatment methods. Dr. Abelson practices at Kinetic Health in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he helps patients move beyond pain to achieve lasting health and improved function.

Why Choose Our MSR Courses and MSR Pro Services?

Elevate your clinical practice with our Motion Specific Release (MSR) courses and MSR Pro services, offering a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to musculoskeletal care.

Proficiency in MSR goes beyond videos or articles—they’re only the beginning. True mastery requires immersive, hands-on training to deepen your knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and precise tactile skills. MSR is a journey of focused practice, real-time feedback, and mentorship that transforms knowledge into expertise.

Here’s why you should join us:

Proven Methodology: Developed by Dr. Brian Abelson, an international best-selling author with over 30 years of clinical experience, MSR integrates the most effective elements of osseous and myofascial therapies. With a success rate exceeding 90%, our approach helps set a new industry standard.
Comprehensive Training: Our courses blend rigorous academic content with innovative techniques. You’ll master essential areas like orthopedic and neurological examinations, myofascial treatment, fascial expansions, and osseous adjusting and mobilization.
Extensive Resources: As an MSR Pro subscriber, access a vast library of over 200 MSR procedures, fillable PDF forms, instructional videos, and in-depth articles. From patient intake to tailored exercise prescriptions, our resources equip you for clinical success.
Tailored Support: Refine your diagnostic skills and expand your treatment techniques with ongoing support through over 750 videos, including 200 technique videos, 250 exercise videos, and 160 MSK articles. This extensive library features over 50 musculoskeletal condition articles, all designed to support you in clinical practice. Our resources are dynamic, with regular updates to articles, technique videos, and new additions to our educational curriculum.
Innovation and Growth: We emphasize continuous learning and innovation, giving you the tools to adapt and thrive in complex clinical scenarios. Our courses and resources are designed to foster professional growth, keeping you at the forefront of musculoskeletal therapy.

Unlock your practice's full potential with our MSR courses and MSR Pro services. Achieve outstanding clinical outcomes and join a community of forward-thinking practitioners dedicated to excellence in patient care.

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