Myofascial release massage is a type of soft tissue therapy that focuses on reducing pain and deep muscular tension by relaxing the fascia. Fascia is a sheet of connective tissues located around tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Sensitivity and tightness of the fascia cause a chronic pain disorder that originates from specific points on your body known as trigger points. These restrictions may occur because of inflammatory responses, trauma or surgical procedures that produce tensile pressure on pain-sensitive structures.
Myofascial release massage aims to reduce pain by easing muscle tension and tightness around the trigger points. Since it is quite difficult to localize pain to a particular trigger point, chiropractors use myofascial release massage to cover a broad network of muscles and tissues causing your pain.
Who Provides Myofascial Release Therapy?
Health professionals such as appropriately trained chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, massage therapists, and physical or occupational therapists can provide myofascial release therapy. Trained medical professionals need to undergo extensive training and courses in myofascial release therapy to attain a high level of competency.
How Myofascial Release Massage Works?
A myofascial release therapy usually begins by locating myofascial areas around your body that feel stiff and fixed under light manual pressure. Normal myofascial areas should feel elastic and pliable when pressed firmly. Although these areas may not feel like the source of your pain, they can restrict joint and muscle movement that in turn causes widespread muscle pain.
Your therapist will use different techniques to stretch your muscles and apply focused manual pressure to loosen up restricted movement around stiff or tight areas around your body. This process may be repeated multiple times until the tension is fully released. Unlike other types of massage, myofascial release massage tends to focus on other areas of the body that are not likely the primary sources of your pain. The technique used releases tightened fascia across a broad area of your muscular system, which decreases tension throughout your body.
Benefits of Myofascial Release Massage
- Boosts Your Immune System
The lymph is an essential component of your immune system that fights off infections in the body. However, it relies on the movement pressure and normal muscular functions to facilitate a consistent flow of the fluid throughout your lymph system. Myofascial release massage encourages the flow of lymph to your entire system, which boosts your immune response against diseases and infections.
- Increases Blood Flow
Myofascial release can increase the blood flow by improving vascular function. It dies so by getting rid of the tension and muscle knots that may be restricting the flow of blood to other areas of your body. The techniques used in myofascial release keep your connective tissues and muscles well hydrated. Increased blood flow also means that your muscles will recover faster because of the efficient supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to areas where tension has been released.
- Reduces Muscle Pain and Soreness
You will experience less muscle soreness after repetitive sessions of myofascial release therapy. Improved blood circulation to your muscles and fascia ensures a reduction in muscle pain. In addition, the massage improves muscle function and returns them to their normal length. Since myofascial release focuses on loosening the fascia, it helps to eradicate chronic pains caused by restrictions that occur in the connective tissues.
- Improves Nerve Function
Myofascial release can be included as part of a treatment regimen for muscles and tissues that are severely affected by injuries and emotional trauma. It incorporates all movements and techniques that work to improve the nerve functions of your body. It restores joint function and increases your range of motion, which in turn improves the nerve responses and signals sent from your brain to other parts of your body.
Additional Treatments with Myofascial Release Therapy
Myofascial release massage can also be a compliment and precursor to other forms of treatment. You stand to benefit from other forms of noninvasive care that aim to control pain and improve your range of motion. This includes using non-prescription pain relievers, self-stretching exercises, and application of ice to calm swollen areas and heat to soothe constricted muscles. Myofascial massage therapy can assist or enhance the effectiveness of other treatments such as physical therapy, and acupuncture. It can also help athletes achieve better skeletal and muscular alignment before any sporting activities or competitions.
A therapist facilitates the release of the fascia by applying a considerable amount of sustained pressure on fascial restrictions around your body. This therapy is ideal for patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome as it loosens the tightened muscles and tissues on a broad area of their muscular system to promote faster healing and pain relief. It can also be used with other treatments to reduce pain caused by venous insufficiency that can damage your nervous system.