What is Myofascial Release and What Are the Benefits?
Myofascial release is a manual massaging technique that aims to stretch the fascia to treat myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder caused by tightness and sensitivity in your myofascial tissues. Injuries, stress, trauma, overuse and poor posture cause restriction to the fascia.
Fascia tension was rarely considered when trying to determine the cause of tension or chronic pain until recently. We now have a better understanding of how important fascia is in stabilising function, connecting our musculoskeletal system and keeping our body healthy and balanced. At Northbridge Chiropractic, we can address soreness, pain and discomfort associated with fascia problems, reducing the risk of severe chronic pain.
Myofascial Release Technique
What is Myofascia?
Myofascia or fascia is a layer of tissue which connects and supports your spine and muscles. It wraps around and links internal parts of the body in bands, fusing it all together. This ensures your muscles can move freely without experiencing friction with mother body parts. Fascia is made of collagen, giving them a tough and pliable texture that offers both tension and elasticity.
Fascia can be found around muscles, nerves, blood vessels, organs, bones, blood and cells. When we move in repetitive patterns, fascia can mould and secure into those repeated patterns. For example, sitting at a desk all day every day causes your shoulder blades to consistently glide laterally on the rib cage. Without releasing and training the fascia into a retracted position, your shoulder blades can become restricted, causing tension and myofascial pain.
How Does Myofascial Therapy Work?
Myofascial therapy relieves this pain by applying gentle pressure on the sore muscles over a sustained period of time. This therapy works out muscle tension, relieves pain and increases flexibility. Our doctors will feel for stiff or tightened areas over a broad area of muscle and tissue to find specific trigger points that feel rigid.
It’s then a matter of performing a myofascial massage to stretch those ridged areas repeatedly with manual pressure until the tension is fully released. The areas our doctors massage may not be where you feel pain most prominently or where the pain originates. This is because myofascial release is about working the broader network of muscles that may be causing issues.
Benefits of Myofascial Massage
The fascia is three-dimensional, meaning it runs through the muscles as well as around it. While stretching can help to a certain extent, myofascial massage is a more effective remedy, as it penetrates the muscle to reach the tight fascia within.
Myofascial release offers a host of benefits to your health and well-being, including:
Make an Appointment at Our Perth Clinic
The doctors at Northbridge Chiropractic conduct expert myofascial massages in a friendly, relaxing environment. For more information on our myofascial therapy or other physiotherapeutic muscle therapy and chiropractic adjustments, read our section on what to expect for your first visit. If you want to make an appointment, contact us online or call 08 9227 9341.