Myofascial Release    'Myo' refers to muscle, and 'fascia' to the elastic web of connective tissues that spread throughout the body and tie it together.  Myofascial release therapy is a hands-on therapeutic technique that applies a light, stretching pressure with specific directions into the fascia to release the fascia from surrounding tissue to which it may have become fastened. 
 
Fascia, a basic component of the muscular-skeletal system of the body,  is a tough connective tissue which contains a substance that is normally gelatinous-like and slippery. 
 

When there has been physical trauma or long held stress and tension there could also be an emotional element that could result in additional tightness and pain or poor posture, cross restrictions can occur within the fascia which can cause this substance to become solidified, thus, shortening the fascia fibers and pulling on pain sensitive areas.   This  creates symptoms of pain and restriction of movement. 
 
Myofascial release therapy is designed to restore the normal range of motion to the tissues, thus preventing compensations and pain.   Myofascial Release is used to equalize muscle tension throughout the body.   Unequal muscle tension can compress nerves and muscles causing pain.   
 
This technique is beneficial to most of the soft tissues, but the biggest improvement can be seen in the tendons, muscles, and the fascia sheets covering these areas.
 

Every Myofascial Release treatment contains the same components.   The therapist will find the area of tightness.   Then a light stretch is applied to the tight area.   The therapist and the patient wait for the tissue to relax and then the therapist increases the stretch. The process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed.   Then, the next area is stretched.
 

Our therapist will be able to find sore spots just by feel.   Often, patients are unable to pinpoint some sore spots or have grown used to them until the therapist finds them again.   The size and sensitivity of these sore spots, called Myofascial Trigger Points, will decrease with treatment. 
 
The patient's progress is then measured by a decrease in their pain and by an improvement in their overall posture.
 

Myofascial release is an advanced technique requiring specific training.  Your practitioner will be happy to answer questions about his or her training and experience.

© 2006 Intense Therapy, LLC 

                 617 E. Bidwell St., Folsom, CA 95630