What Is Myofascial Release Therapy?
Myofascial release massage is a commonly used hands-on massage modality aimed at connective tissues restrictions that limit movement and may contribute to pain.
This style of therapy often uses light contact to induce a stretch in tissues, and it's held until a "release" in the tissue is felt. This can be anywhere from 20 seconds up to 2 minutes or more.
Can you really release fascia?
In my article HERE, I discuss the controversial topic of myofascial release therapy, but that does not mean that the techniques themselves aren't useful. In my practice, I will use any technique to accomplish the ultimate outcome of relaxing the tissues, the nervous system, and achieving pain relief.
Myofascial Release Massage And Trigger Points
Trigger points are commonly associated with myofascial release techniques.
A trigger point is described as a hyper-irritable spot, "knot", or nodule in the muscle tissues. Direct compression or stimulation of this spot can produce either localized or referred discomfort.
Much like the topic of fascial release, the concept of trigger points has come under fairly heavy scrutiny, especially as a primary cause of pain.
While its not possible to completely eliminate trigger points, they can be de-sensitized, and this is often associated with improvements in pain levels.
Who Benefits From Myofascial Release Massage Therapy?
Generally speaking, since myofascial release is a massage technique, it can be beneficial for all of the same issues/conditions you might seek out massage, including:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Tendinitis
- Postural imbalance
- Knee pain
- TMJ (jaw dysfunction)
- Shoulder pain
Specifically, myofascial release is helpful in situations where pressure into the tissues isn't tolerated well (due to increased sensitivity). The very low intensity stretch with longer hold times can be effective for these sensitive tissues and offer great results.
What Are The Benefits Of Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release therapy in Temecula has the power to help treat deep muscle tension, somatic dysfunction and pain by working the areas around your muscles, ligaments and tendons. Often referred to as "fascia", a myofascial release massage therapist works these areas with firm pressure to help increase your range of motion and help promote circulation.
Note that myofascial release therapy is not like traditional massages that focus almost exclusively on your muscles. Instead of kneading motions that are intended to break down "knots" in the muscles, myofascial muscle release therapy deals with the overly sensitive nerves, helping to alleviate pain via steady pressure for minutes at a time. As the fibers stretch and soften, and nerves reduce sensitivity, a greater range of motion can be achieved.
For patients, myofascial release therapy can help correct muscle imbalances, as well as improving range of motion and flexibility. After surgeries or injuries, myofascial release therapy may also help reduce scar tissue and adhesion, and sometimes it may even be helpful as a supplemental therapy to alleviate headaches or migraines associated with tension.
If you suffer from joint stress or muscle soreness, or even if stress is taking over your life, myofascial release therapy can help. Active individuals may even notice getting more out of their warm-ups and routines, which is in part caused by the increased blood flow and tissue hydration from myofascial release therapy.
Additionally, myofascial muscle release therapy can be a crucial component in managing chronic pain, especially pain that may be influenced by a lack of flexibility and other issues with the body's connective tissue. Sometimes it may even be recommended for a patient to use a foam roller at home to better support the treatment.
Keep in mind that there are multiple types of myofascial release therapy, and they're often categorized as passive or active. Passive myofascial release therapy is where the treatment is guided by the therapist and how the patient's body reacts to the treatment. On the other hand, active myofascial release therapy requires both patient and therapist to work in unison as the patient contracts and releases muscles where work is to be done.
What Does A Temecula Myofascial Release Session Look Like?
After completing a full initial evaluation (to determine the potential root cause/s of your issues), hands-on techniques will be applied to the areas that will benefit from them the most.
Not EVERYONE needs myofascial release techniques. We may find during your initial eval that movement-based therapy may be much for valuable for your individual needs.
However, if myofascial release and trigger point therapy is indicated, then the appropriate tools will be selected (hands, percussion massager, IASTM tools, etc) and applied directly to the area. Most of the time, it's only necessary to remove clothing in the direct area to be able to access the tissues.
Once the therapy is completed and the tissues appropriately released, follow up techniques are employed to "condition" the tissues and promote normalization of the newly acquired range of motion.
This often involves a combination of stretching and/or muscle activation techniques.
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Looking For Myofascial Release in Your Area?
Here at Release Muscle Therapy in Temecula CA, I offer myofascial release techniques, as well as other highly valuable and effective therapeutic tools.
I'm also accessible from these areas:
- Murrieta
- Fallbrook
- Lake Elsinore
- Oceanside
- Vista
- Carlsbad
- Menifee
- Wildomar
*Consultations are available only to local Temecula or Murrieta residents or individuals willing to travel to me for in-person services.