Myofascial Release

The following is a list of issues that can be addressed using myofascial release technique:

Back Pain – Cervical Pain – Muscle Spasms – Restricted Range of Motion – Chronic Pain – Neurological Dysfunction – Scoliosis – Headaches/Migraines – Fibromyalgia – TMJ – Carpal Tunnel – Head Trauma – Sports Injuries – Post-Operative Rehabilitation – Chronic Fatigue – Geriatric Conditions – Pediatric Conditions – and more.   

Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscle fibers, organs, nerves, cells, bones, and everything else in living tissue. However, before developing the technology to view it in a living body, we could only see it by looking at cadavers. If you’ve ever cooked a turkey or chicken, you’ve seen it as that layer of tissue between the skin and muscle. Yet, it’s so much more than that. 

   In a healthy body, the fascia (aka connective tissue) contains microscopic spaces between the various fibers of the tissue. It looks somewhat like a fish net that covers, connects, and runs through every part of the body. The spaces, called interstitium (interstitial means “small gaps”) within the fascial net are filled with fluid, a watery crystalline gel-like substance that serves to give structure to and transmit information throughout the body. But, when the body dies, these spaces dry up, collapse, and create a solid single layer of tissue (like in the turkey).

As it turns out, injury, stress, trauma (physical and emotional), and several other things can cause the fascial system to collapse upon itself. In turn, when the tissue collapses it begins to squeeze the surrounding nerves, muscles, cells, vessels, and organs which then become painful and sometimes lead to minor and sometimes major diseases. The effect of restricted fascial tissue can be up to 2,000 pounds per square inch on the various parts of the body that they surround. Unfortunately, micro- and macro-traumas to the fascial system seldom repair on their own. So, most of us are carrying around dysfunctional fascial traumas that may have occurred in childhood, early adulthood, and even during birth. Additionally, since the fascial system is a single connected network, the cause of our pain, illness, or disease can manifest in areas of the body far from the fascial restriction. I like to think of it as a sheet that when held loosely between two hands, it moves freely but, when tight, the slightest pressure on any part of the sheet will affect the entire sheet or other areas of the sheet. Another common analogy is a pull in a sweater, where a single pull in the sweater creates tension throughout it.

My teacher, John Barnes, PT, developed a system of fascial healing (Myofascial Release/MFR) that has unparalleled success in dealing with pain and postural issues. Based on scientific research about how fascial tissue reacts to different therapies (including Trigger Point, Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Technique, and older versions of myofascial therapy) and how these therapies stimulate the electromagnetic and chemical make-up of the fluids in the interstitial spaces, Barnes created a method that uses slow constant low-grade pressure to stretch the fascia, which allows the layers of the “fish net” to expand and refill with fluid.

One of the claims that Barnes and MFR practitioners make is that the MFR method of healing can create long-lasting and often permanent results. As someone that has received some of this healing and observed the effects of this modality on many clients, I often find myself saying “This stuff is what healing really is all about!”  

Barnes teaches this method to all kinds of practitioners including doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and, yes, brilliant massage therapists like me!

Now, you may want to know what a session is like. The technique requires patience on the part of the client and the practitioner. While a single stretch will be held for a minimum of 90-seconds minutes, there are no set protocols. As a practitioner, I will use a number of means to assess where to begin the session. Then, after an initial hold, the body’s vasomotor response and your individual input will suggest the next step in the session. A typical Myofascial session will last between 30 and 90 minutes and may include a single hold or multiple holds.

 If you think you might be interested in receiving myofascial work, please contact me. If you would like to add myofascial work to an already scheduled appointment, please let me know so that we can plan accordingly.

I look forward to sharing this technique with all my clients. I honestly believe that this work is one of the most important things that we can do for ourselves and for one another!

Currently serving clients in the Pantops Area of Charlottesville.