If you’ve ever received a massage for chronic or acute pain resulting from an injury or overuse, you may have heard of the term “myofascial release.”
The Fascial System
Your body is comprised of one network of fascia, which is a system of uninterrupted connective tissue that surrounds your organs, bones, and muscles. It is compared to Saran Wrap (think thin layers of tissue) and is responsible for maintaining structural integrity; without it, your body would be one messy heap on the floor.
The Compromised Fascial System
With overuse, postural misalignment, or injury, these connective tissues and muscles can become overstretched, hyper-tonic, weakened, or inflamed, causing pain, decreased function, and restricted range of motion. Chronic inflammation or irritation of the fascial tissues can result in a thickening of the tissues (fibrosis). And like a pull in a sweater, a knot or fascial restriction in one part of the body can cause pain and tightness eventually in another part of the body. This is the perfect setup for something called the “pain spasm pain cycle,” where pain triggers muscle spasms, which in turn create more pain and more spasms, and so on.
Myofascial Release: To the rescue
Myofascial release is a type of manual therapy used to relieve restrictions that occur in such cases, thereby eliminating pain, restoring muscle function, increasing range of motion, and interrupting the “pain spasm pain” cycle. Unlike Swedish massage, where lotion or oil is typically used, myofascial release requires very little or no lotion in order to allow the therapist to “hook” into the fascial system. Warming up the tissues with myofascial release can take time, and it can even seem like nothing is happening at first. A therapist applies light sustained pressure in an area to allow the tissues to liquefy and soften, providing access to the deeper layers of the fascial system where subsequent deeper work can create changes not only locally, but throughout the entire body.
Who can benefit from Myofascial Release?
Anyone experiencing any of the following can benefit from this modality:
- neck, shoulder, back pain
- sports injuries
- correcting poor postural alignment that develops over time from too much desk/computer work
- auto accident-related injuries: whiplash, back pain, headaches, etc.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The next time you’re experiencing pain or have a musculoskeletal injury, ask your massage therapist about myofascial release and how it may help restore function and balance in your body.
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