Myofascial release
What Happens During a MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TREATMENT?
Myofascial Release is an effective hands-on therapy which can be applied directly on the body and over clothing by using slow and sometimes deep pressure to restore the proper health of the fascia. When fascia is damaged or traumatised it can become too tight and drastically decrease normal daily activities' performance. The purpose of Myofascial Release is to break down myofascial restrictions (scar tissue & adhesions), relax the muscle and fascia, restore range of motion, better posture, better circulation and alleviate pain. The techniques of Myofascial Release relax the deep tissue of the body, providing lasting and effective relief to the client.
To use an analogy, imagine your fascial system is a damp linen sweater that is laid out for drying. You might 'stretch’ and reshape the sweater's fabric to condition its shape and conformity to its proper appearance. In a like manner, your Myofascial Release specialist will use skilled 'stretch' and 'release' technique as well as other techniques to condition your myofascial system.
Myofascial Release has been used effectively for:
Fibromyalgia
Headaches & Migraines
Whiplash injury
Trigger Point therapy
Nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome
General discomfort from poor posture & reduced flexibility
Chronic Low back pain & Neck pain- Stiffness
Shoulder injuries
Arthritic conditions
Sports injuries & Recurring Injuries
Plus many more
What causes this once flexible tissue to become too tight?
Inflammation
Traumas, such as a fall or car accident
Work injuries
Poor posture
Lack of stretching such as prolonged sitting or standing
Emotional/psychological stress
Repetitive motions, such as factory work or keyboarding
What is the treatment?
You and your therapist will discuss relevant information including any discomforts you have such as pain, injuries, disorders and physical conditions that cause you discomfort or restricted movements. Skill and knowledgebase allows your practitioner to observe your posture, feel and sense where varied degrees of pressure, stretching, kneading and palpitation will help eliminate pain and restore range of motion. Problems are noted and treatment begins. The goal is to provide safe and effective treatment that encourages your body to restore, realign and balance your myofascial system. Myofascial release treatment can effectively treat this tough, tight fascial tissue making it more relaxed, pliable and soft.
What does a Myofascial Release treatment feel like?
The pressure used during the treatment can range from very gentle touch to deeper pressure. The pressure from Myofascial Release should never be beyond your tolerance and it is important to give feedback to your practitioner during the treatment. Some patients receiving a Myofascial Release treatment may experience a slight tingling or burning sensation in the skin, which is perfectly normal and safe. Others may feel a gentle to deep stretch on the area being treated.
The treatment of Myofascial Release can last from 30 minutes to over an hour.
Myofascial Release was specifically designed to relax the fascia throughout the whole body. And because tension in fascia can affect and cause pain in other areas, your Myofascial Release therapist may treat other areas of the body to positively effect your treatment outcome. For example, your practitioner may work on the hips and low back to help reduce tension in the neck which in turn can cause headaches. This is the benefit of a whole body approach that makes Myofascial Release such an effective treatment. Because each patient is different the number of Myofascial Release treatments required may vary, however a general rule is that you should notice a change in your condition with the application of myofascial release. Your practitioner will discuss your treatment plan and projected outcome with you during your first session.
To conclude, Myofascial Release is a very effective treatment program that can significantly improve many soft tissue and orthopedic conditions. These Myofascial Release techniques help to reorganize and lengthen the tight tissue allowing for better movement and health.
To see if Myofascial Release is right for you please contact SP Sports massage therapy or visit our appointment page to book a session with us.
We invite you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Myofascial Release -
Stretch... Hold... Release... Restore Range of Motion
