Myofascial release is the term used when referring to the various techniques used for releasing restrictions in the fascial tissues. Each technique involves a gentle application of pressure that slowly allows the body’s tissues to release down to the deepest levels and let go of physical restrictions.
Fascia is a complex network of connective tissue that extends continuously from your head to toe. This web of tissue surrounds and protects every other tissue and organ of the body. Fascia is a fibrous tissue that is extremely strong but is also very flexible.
Healthy fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration, providing a cushioning of other tissues and structures. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. However, when one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the rest of the body.
Trauma, such as a fall, sports injury, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries has cumulative effects on the body’s fascia.
At PhysioPlus, we find Myofascial Release Techniques are particularly beneficial in managing chronic complaints such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, complex regional pain syndromes, whiplash, headaches, carpel tunnel pain, frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis.
Each technique involves a gentle application of pressure that slowly allows the body’s tissues to release down to the deepest levels and let go of physical restrictions.
It is a mild and gentle form of stretching that has a profound effect on the body, sometimes even incorporating an emotional release.
Responses to treatment vary with each person and the area being worked on. You may feel warmth, coldness, sensations of movement, twitching, tingling, heaviness, relaxation of part or all of the body.
