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Myofascial Release, or MFR, is one of the most effective methods for relieving pain, restoring posture,
and returning one to function. It is a safe and effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle
sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Gentle pressure
is slowly applied allowing a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate. The gentle traction applied to the restricted
fascia will result in heat and increased blood flow. This enhances the relief of pain and improves the quantity and
quality of motion and function. The goal is to return order and equilibrium to the whole person. Trauma, inflammatory
responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000
pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many standardized tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT
scans, electromyography, etc.) When we experience physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation, the fascia
loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body.
Trauma, such as a fall, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture over time and repetitive stress injuries has
a cumulative effect. The changes they cause in the fascial system influence comfort and the functioning
of our body. While MFR may share some commonalities with traditional massage, it is a modality
that reaches deeper and creates lasting change.
Traditional physical, occupational and massage therapies treat
the symptoms caused by the pressure on the Myofascial system, but do nothing about the causes. This is
why so many patients only have temporary results, never seeming to improve. Only MFR treats the entire
Myofascial mind/body complex eliminating the pressure of the restrictions in the Myofascial system that cause the symptoms.
The nature of MFR is to examine the posture of the whole body for the source of pain. Usually, the
source of the pain is unrelated to the area where the pain is actually felt. Each MFR Treatment session is performed directly on skin
without oils or creams. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate
amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia. MFR will safely and gently release the entire Myofascial
complex for lasting and comprehensive results and authentic healing.
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 Fascia is a specialized, physiologic system of the body
that has an appearance similar to a spider's web or a sweater. It is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating
each muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal
cord. Fascia separates, supports, connects and protects everything in our bodies. The most interesting aspect
of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings; it is actually one continuous structure that
exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is
connected to every other part by fascia, like the yarn in a sweater. In the normal healthy state, fascia is relaxed
and wavy in configuration; it has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When one experiences physical
trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted,
and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual
poor posture and repetitive stress injuries have cumulative effects on the body. The changes trauma causes in the fascial
system influences comfort and function of our body. Fascial restrictions can exert excessive pressure causing numerous
types of symptoms, producing pain, headaches or restriction of motion. Fascial restrictions affect our flexibility and
stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities.
Irritation of fascia causes
local inflammation. Chronic inflammation results in fibrosis, or thickening of the connective tissue, and this thickening
causes pain and irritation, resulting in reflexive muscle tension causing more inflammation. Myofascial techniques break
this cycle, and can change the body posture and structure by manipulating the Myofascial system. It is thought that
an extremely high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but most
go undiagnosed.
This three-dimensional web of connective tissue is alive and
ever changing as the body demands; it is a network for information exchange, influencing and influenced by every structure,
system, and cell. It is incredibly important, but all too often, we take it for granted.
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