Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialized physical therapy that affects and releases the restrictions within the fascial network.

Myofascial (pronounced myo fashal) is derived from the Latin words ‘myo’ for muscle and ‘fascia’ for band.

Fascia, also sometimes called connective tissue, is a 3D continuous web of hollow, microscopic tubules that extends from head to toe without interruption. These hollow tubules contain collagen and elastin which give fascia both strength and flexibility properties.

Fascia surrounds, blends with and protects every other tissue, organ, bone, tendon and ligament of the body. In a healthy body, fascia provides a cushioning and supportive mechanism to the structures it surrounds allowing us to move safely, with flexibility and without pain. Fascia responds to internal and external forces applied on it meeting the resistance in order to protect the body.

Following all physical and emotional trauma and poor posture, fascia scars and hardens at the affected site and along tension lines imposed on it and loses its protection and flexibility mechanism. Internal structures become pulled out of line and the likes of nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels can become crushed. Fascia can be described as being like a 3D sweater, when the fascial system is traumatized it is pulled and twisted out of alignment like a pull in a sweater. Therefore, if fascia tightens in one area, it will have a knock-on effect three dimensionally throughout the body resulting in symptoms further away from the site of original injury. It is therefore important to treat the whole body, not just the local areas.

Fascial restrictions do not show up on CAT scans, MRI scans or x-rays and many patients can be left with undiagnosed fascial trauma leaving them with unresolved physical and emotional pain.

MFR therapists are taught to feel and slowly stretch into the fascial network. This is very different to massaging and treating muscles tendons and ligaments as a time component also exists. Fascia cannot be forced to release as it will naturally meet the force in return. Instead, a gentle sustained pressure of the therapist’s hands over 90-120 seconds allows fascia to elongate naturally and return to its normal resting length thus restoring health and function.

The MFR therapist will use their findings of what they see on a postural assessment along with what they sense and feel from palpating the tissues of the body. A physiotherapist trained in MFR Therapy will often combine other physiotherapy treatment techniques with MFR Therapy depending on what they feel an individual needs.