What is Myofascial Release Therapy?

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial release therapy is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to relieve pain and increase your range of motion.

To understand what myofascial release is and why it works, you have to understand a little about fascia. Fascia is a thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body, every muscle and every fibre within each muscle.

When muscle fibres are injured, the fibres and the fascia which surround it become short and tight. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and symptoms like back strain, cervical pain, dizziness, carpal tunnel syndrome and more.

Myofascial release treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia. In other words, myofascial release is stretching of the fascia and other soft tissues.

In this massage therapy, I find the area of tightness, apply a light stretch and wait for the tissue to relax. Then I increase the stretch. This process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed, and then the next area is stretched.

I will usually be able to find sore spots just by feel. Often, patients are unable to pinpoint some sore spots or have grown used to them until I locate them. The size and sensitivity of these spots, called myofascial trigger points, will decrease with treatment.

Myofascial release is used to equalize muscle tension throughout the body. Uneven muscle tension can compress nerves and muscles causing pain. Some of the positive effects you should notice include a decrease in pain and an improvement in your overall posture.

If you are in Toronto and would like to know more about myofascial release, use the contact form found here or call our Toronto therapy clinic on (416) 550-0143.

Call our osteopathic clinic today on (416) 550-0143 to book your appointment.