What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy technique in which fascia is stretched and bonds are released between fascia, muscle tissue, bones and other soft tissues within the body. It is classed as a manual massage therapy technique and aids alleviating pain, increasing range of motion and helps to balance the composition of soft tissues throughout the body. The fascia is manipulated directly or indirectly allowing the breakdown of underlying scar tissue and the remodelling of connective tissue fibres to allow a more flexible and functional tissue state.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is thought of as an interconnecting web of connective tissue that lies beneath the skin and interconnects the deeper soft tissues and organs with each other such as muscle and bone tissue. The muscle tissue and fascia link is known as the ‘myofascial system’. Fascia may become restricted through various means following various injuries, inflammation, trauma and poor posture. The fascia may increase in tightness due to it acting as an interconnecting web and consequently lead to radiating pain around the body to spread. A good example of the effect is like a material pull within a woollen jumper or scarf.
The Goal & Benefits of Myofascial Release:
The main aim of myofascial therapy is to release the fascia restriction in specific parts of the body to allow a fully functioning body part to act without pain and tautness around body tissues. Myofascial release is used by many physiotherapists to treat injuries and conditions such as neck and back pain, whiplash, stress related muscular tension, repetitive strain injuries and sporting injuries. It may also be used to treat conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and other problems associated with pain or fatigue.
Please feel free to contact the G4 Clinic to speak to a member of the team for any questions that you may have.