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Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR)
Myofascial release refers to a technique which manually stretches the connective tissue (fascia) surrounding muscle tissue. It’s aim is to attempt to bring about changes in the tone of this fascia and thus relieving pain. The technique is deep and slow to enable penetration of the layers of the fascia until the deeper tissues are reached.
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What it involves
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Myofascial Release is performed directly on skin without oils or creams; sometimes a small amount of special myofascial release cream might be used. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia.
This technique may require your active participation, as your therapist may ask you to perform certain slow movements with the muscles that are being worked on. |
What is fascia
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Fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web or a sweater. It is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
Fascia plays an important role in the support and function of our bodies, since it surrounds and attaches to all structures. For a therapist its function as a lubricant is most important. It allows everything it wraps, from muscles to muscles fibers, to slide over whatever is next to it. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. Over time, however, for reasons of physical and emotional trauma, inflammation, habit patterns ( habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries), disease, and the desiccation of tissue that can accompany the aging process; fascial tissue can lose its pliability and get hard, rigid, short, gluey, and inelastic. In short, fascial tissue will change from a lubricant to an adhesive. This binding up of fascial tissue causes a great deal of what the patient experiences as stress, tension, pain, and restriction of motion. Fascial restrictions affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities. |