Spotlight on… Myofascial Release and it's use in Massage Therapy

Myofascial pain can be defined as "pain associated with inflammation or irritation of muscle or of the fascia surrounding the muscle". It is a common issue with estimates that 85% of the general population will experience it at some point in their lifetime. Myofascial Release is a technique used in massage therapy to help address symptoms associated with dysfunction related to the fascia.

What is Fascia?

The body has a web of connective tissue that wraps, connects and supports your muscles, bones, organs, nerves and blood vessels, called Fascia.  You could say its the body own shock absorber and helps the muscles move about freely (when working well).  As it works as the built in shock absorber it can take a battering from repetitive movements and chronic conditions, which then results in the fascia becoming stuck.

‘Myo’ meaning muscle, sits alongside the Fascia hence we have Myofascial Release; this is a therapy that works on the pain that arises from these membranes and helps to release them and in turn increasing movement and reducing pain levels.

Fascia is made up of collagen and elastin fibres surrounded by a viscous, gel-like substance. Working together, these elements provide structure and support throughout the body.  

Collagen and elastin are the ingredients that make for stability and mobility.

What Creates Adhesions and Myofascial Restrictions?

Myofascial restrictions develop from lack of movement, inflammatory responses, physical trauma (injuries or surgery) as well as from habitual postures leading to adaptive shortening and repetitive strain injuries. This all has a cumulative effect on the body. When the fascia has reduced pliability, it becomes tight, restricted and becomes a source of tension affecting the rest of the body.

The viscous, gel-like substance in our fascia should be fluid. When it starts to solidify from lack of movement (i.e. – sitting too long), our movements might feel like we’re wearing a coat that’s too tight.  Reaching for that object on the upper shelf feels like your arm is too short, or you bend to tie your shoes and the floor is too far away.

When tightness and restriction is due to adhesions or scar tissue from an injury or surgery, it can start to put a large amount of pressure on pain-sensitive structures. 

Myofascial restrictions are proposed to produce incredible tensile pressures as great as 2,000 pounds per square inch (Katake, 1961).  Because these restrictions don’t show up on scans such as MRI or X-ray, many people suffering with pain or restricted movement patterns are not diagnosed with any particular injury or condition.   

Optimal vs Dysfunctional Fascia

Optimally, fascia should be flexible and supple, and should slide and glide when we move. This allows us to move smoothly and pain-free through many ranges of motions – flexion, extension, rotation, bending, twisting. 

When there is ample space in the tissue, it allows for our circulatory system to work efficiently – delivering much needed oxygen and nutrients to our tissues and eliminating metabolic waste to keep our tissues healthy. It allows for optimal nerve conduction so our systems function properly and our muscles fire well.

When fascia gets restricted and holds us together a little too well, it results in an interruption of this flow of transport and information and important functions are impeded.  Instead of being supple and fluid, fascia gets dehydrated and becomes thick, ropy, and tough… you may have a feeling of being “stuck”.  

Myofascial pain differs from other types of pain because it originates in so-called ‘trigger points’ which are related to stiff, ‘anchored’ areas within the myofascial tissue.

Your trained therapist locates areas that feel stiff and fixed (instead of elastic and movable as they should be) and then applies light manual pressure to them. This pressure loosens up restricted movement and leads, indirectly, to reduced pain.

This  therapy can be used effectively for:

• Lower back pain

• Headaches

• Neck stiffness

• Shoulder injuries

• Arthritic conditions

• Sports injuries

  
  

And the benefits of this type of release include:

• Reduction in muscle spasms

• Improved joint movements

• Decreased muscle tension

• Improved breathing

• Reduction in chronic recurring injuries

  
  

Myofascial release can easily be incorporated into any other therapies.

Research indicates that myofascial release can lead to significant improvements in pain levels and functional mobility. A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that patients receiving MFR (Myofascial Release) reported reductions in pain and an improved quality of life. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-bodywork-and-movement-therapies

Get in touch today to see how we can help relieve pain associated with headaches, neck stiffness, shoulder injuries, arthritic conditions, sports injuries and lower back pain. https:www.flexremedial.com/book