Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a type of physical therapy that aims to alleviate pain and restore movement by releasing tension and adhesions in the body's fascia, a connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs. Myofascial release is typically performed by a licensed physical therapist or massage therapist, and may involve a variety of techniques, including gentle stretching, sustained pressure, and massage.
Benefits of Myofascial
The benefits of myofascial release may include:
- Pain relief: Myofascial release can help reduce pain caused by muscle tension, injury, or chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.
- Improved range of motion: By releasing tight fascia and muscles, myofascial release can help restore flexibility and improve mobility.
- Improved circulation: Myofascial release can help increase blood flow to the affected area, which can help promote healing.
- Improved posture: Tight fascia can contribute to poor posture, which can lead to pain and discomfort. Myofascial release can help improve posture by releasing tension and allowing the body to move more freely.
- Reduced stress and tension: Myofascial release can help relax the body and reduce stress and tension, which can have a positive impact on overall health and well-being.
Myofascial (my-o-FASH-e-ul)
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique often used in massage. The technique focuses on pain believed to arise from myofascial tissues — the tough membranes that wrap, connect and support your muscles. Myofascial release is an alternative medicine therapy claimed to be useful for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles.
Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds every organ, muscle, nerve, and blood vessel. Through trauma, injury, poor posture, repetitive motions, or emotional distress, our fascia tightens and dehydrates, creating pain, discomfort, and lack of flexibility or motion.
With myofascial release, these fascial restrictions in the system are relieved, the fascia can rehydrate and blood flow, nerve conduction and muscle function can improve. The results are decreased pain and discomfort and the ability to work towards a better quality of movement and flexibility, improved stress, and anxiety management.