Myofascial release therapy is a massage technique that focuses on relieving pain in your myofascial tissues. These are the thick connective tissues that support your muscles.
About Myofascial Tissue
Your myofascial tissue is a network of tissue that spreads throughout your entire body. It connects your muscles, joints, and bones. It also provides support to your organs, helping to keep them in place.
If you could see it, your fascia would look like a single sheet of tissue. However, multiple layers work together. In between these layers is a liquid called hyaluronan that provides stretch and encourages a free range of movement. When this liquid becomes thick, sticky, or dries up, it can impact the surrounding body parts.
When you feel stiffness or pain in your body, it can originate from different tissues in your body. Myofascial pain is different from other types of pain because it occurs in places where your myofascial tissue meets or crosses. Myofascial pain may be difficult to identify because it can radiate from the area and spread.
Usually, this tissue feels more elastic and movable. Tight myofascial tissue can restrict movement in your muscles and joints. As you move differently to make up for the loss in movement, you can cause additional tightness without realizing it. This can lead to widespread pain and discomfort.
Understanding Myofascial Release Therapy
During a myofascial release massage, your therapist spends time feeling your myofascial tissue for areas that are particularly stiff and tight. These are the places that cause you to feel pain, even if it’s radiating to other areas.
You must seek help from a trained specialist who knows how to identify myofascial tissue issues. A myofascial massage is different from other types of massage and techniques will vary from therapist to therapist.
Other types of massage may be relaxing, but myofascial release therapy is often intense and painful. Your therapist will use their hands to massage and stretch your myofascial tissue and eliminate knots.
In some cases, a therapist will use additional tools like a foam roller or ball to aid in separating the tissue. You may feel sore immediately following a myofascial massage, but the results often include an increased range of motion and less pain and stiffness.
Myofascial tissue will often become tight in the following areas:
- Arms
- Calves
- Feet
- Head
- Hips
- Jaw
- Lower back
- Neck
- Quads
- Shoulders
Benefits of Myofascial Release Therapy
A single myofascial massage won’t offer long-term relief. However, regularly receiving myofascial release therapy can:
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce soreness
- Increase your body’s natural recovery process
- Helps with overall relaxation
- Improve circulation
- Relieve stress
