Myofascial release works directly with the fascia system of the body.   What is fascia? It is connective tissue under the skin, made up of mostly collagen, that is like a web that covers and connects all our internal parts. Fascia consists of three layers.  Superficial which resides just under the skin. Deep fascia which surrounds individual muscles and bundles them into fascia compartments. Visceral fascia is the connective tissue that encompasses all the organs and glands and holds them in place.  Basically it surrounds all the organs, every bone, and the musculoskeletal structure of the body right down to the cellular level. Example would be if you cut the fat off a piece of chicken and you have that layer that holds the muscle together and is hard to cut through, that is the fascia tissue.

  One purpose of fascia is to hold the body together. If you took every bone, organ, and muscle out of the body you would still be left with a full body of fascia.  The fascia is one continuous sheath that has no discontinuity. The only way that you have discontinuity is if you have surgery. The second purpose of fascia is to stabilize and protect.  That is why after surgery your fascia system forms scar tissue. The body builds scar tissue to strengthen the area that has been weakened by surgery or trauma to the body.  

  Myofascial release is a very gentle technique that requires the therapist to use specific hand  placement and apply sustained pressure into the fascia system with the intention of freeing up restrictions in the system. As the therapist melds with the system the tissue will soften, lengthen and begin to unwind.  

Benefits of myofascial release:

~reduces pain.

~improve flexibility

~improve muscle function

~enhanced circulation

~release of trigger points

~helps with headaches

~reduced scar tissue and adhesions

 

Myofascial release may help with the following conditions:

 

~back pain                                                   ~frozen shoulder

~birth injuries                                               ~headaches & migraines

~bulging discs                                              ~menstrual problems

~bursitis                                                        ~neck pain

~bulging discs                                               ~pelvic pain

~carpal tunnel                                               ~plantar fasciitis

~back injuries                                                ~scars

~fibromyalgia                                                 ~sciatica

~emotional trauma                                         ~scoliosis