Myofascial release is a body-based therapy that addresses a type of connective tissue called fascia.
Myofascial release can help:
- Relieve pain
- Increase range of motion in areas that are restricted
- Reduce swelling
- Release holding or bracing patterns in the body (often experienced after surgery or trauma)
- Improve posture
- Provide relief for areas that feel hard or tight
- Soften scars and relieve scar tissue discomfort
Fascia runs through the body like an uninterrupted, three-dimensional web and wraps around every structure.
Injury, trauma, immobilization, medical treatments, and even poor posture can cause the fascia to bind down and become restricted.
Restrictions in the fascia can cause excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, organs, and other structures such as lymph nodes.
This pressure can result in a variety of symptoms including:
- unexplained sensations or discomfort in seemingly unrelated areas of the body
- pain or tightness
- swelling
- movement limitations
- digestive problems or constipation
- menstrual irregularities
Fascial restrictions can’t be seen on standard medical tests, and many people with symptoms continue to suffer unnecessarily even with treatments like conventional physical or massage therapy.
That’s because traditional stretching and massage don’t release restrictions in the deeper fascia.
With myofascial release, gentle, prolonged pressure is applied to fascial restrictions to help the tissue unbind so it can move more easily. Time is a key factor in releasing the restrictions.
What to expect during a typical myofascial release session
At the beginning of the session, the therapist will perform a brief observation of your body and posture while you’re standing. You will generally start the session lying on a treatment table. The therapist’s hands will be on your bare skin.
The therapist will apply gentle, sustained pressure into one or more fascial restrictions. The therapist’s hands will follow the movement of the fascial tissue as it releases. The therapist will never try to force the fascia to move or release. Each hold will generally last at least 5-10 minutes, sometimes longer. Your position on the table may change as the session progresses.
At Farfalla Integrative Health, sessions are performed by an occupational therapist who is specifically trained in myofascial release. As part of your treatment plan, the therapist will instruct you in techniques for a home program so you can keep making progress on your own.
Myofascial release is not appropriate for all situations and is not a replacement for traditional medical care.
Always check with your doctor before starting treatment.
If you’re curious about myofascial release but still have questions, please feel free to reach out by email (christine@farfallaintegrativehealth.com) or schedule a phone call or video chat to find out if working together might be right for you.