Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a whole body, hands-on approach for the evaluation and treatment of the human structure. Having worked with chronic pain for so many years, I saw that a person who started off with low back pain, eventually got mid back and neck pain followed by headaches and/or TMJ and vice versa. Or a person who had an elbow tendonitis, for example, if left untreated, would have pain and restriction spread to the shoulder, then into the neck and down to the wrist. I recognized the need for a total body approach to alleviate these strain patterns and found the anatomical explanation in the fascial system and treatment resolution through Myofascial Release.

      Fascia is a connective tissue (connecting tissue) which spreads throughout the body like a spider web surrounding and infusing with every muscle, nerve, blood vessel, organ and cell (Barnes). Its intricate sheets and bands hold muscles and other structures in proper relative positions, separating them from each other and joining them together into an integrated whole, eventually making attachment to the skeleton. Fascia functions to connect, separate, create space, shape, support, protect, stabilize, and resist mechanical shock in the body. It can profoundly influence cellular health and the Immune System, neutralize or detoxify toxins, assist healing, allow for passage of infection, form scar tissue, and has its own diseases. Myofascia refers to the fascia surrounding a muscle on the outside and then binding the muscle fibers together on the inside without which a muscle could not physically exist. Fascia is made up of elastic (stretchable) and collagenous (dense) fibers. Elastin is stretchable and absorbs tensile forces. Collagen means glue producer, giving strength to tissue that could give way under tension. This elastocollagenous complex sits in a ground substance that lubricates and allows fibers to slide over each other with minimal friction. The definition of strain is to draw tight, constrict, stretch beyond the maximum, to injure by overuse, misuse or excessive pressure, and to cause change of form or size by application of external force (Websters). In myofascial strain there is restriction, crosslinks develop in the elastocollagenous complex (adhesions, scar tissue), the ground substance solidifies, the fascia reorganizes along the lines of tension imposed on the body, slow tightening causes the body to lose its adaptive capacity, and tightness spreads causing symptoms elsewhere. One can now understand why an injury or illness, creating inflammation or an infection can bind down the fascia. Chronic postural compensations and overuse throw the body out of alignment and cause the fascia to become taut and constricted , thereby exerting pressure on a structure or structures within the body, which we experience as pain and restricted mobility or impaired function.

      Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into the fascia in order to release restrictions. The therapist will first evaluate the postural and biomechanical compensations/strain patterns. He/she will then release scar tissue (including incisions) and possibly provide soft tissue mobilization which are the deeper techniques. He/she can evaluate for fascial restrictions by pulling through a leg or arm, for example, to feel where the fascia is bound down or place two hands over an area of the body to feel through layer upon layer of fascia. Gentle sustained pressure frees adhesions and softens and lengthens the fascia. Tension on bones, muscles, joints, and nerves are relieved, circulation is improved as well as neural transmission, resulting in pain relief, restoration of mobility and assisting the body back into balance. People with longstanding back pain, Myofascial Pain, Fibromyalgia, headaches, neck aches, sports and orthopedic injuries, neurological and autoimmune disorders all benefit from Myofascial Release. If you are pregnant, very inflamed or bruise easily, let the therapist know so that modifications can be made to your treatment. In general, if there is a high risk for bleeding, spreading infection or cancer, this treatment may not be indicated. For most people being released can make all the difference!