Myofascial release (MFR) is now a specialist treatment used by physical therapists throughout the UK for handling injury prevention, pain reduction, muscle strengthening and flexibility improvement in patients. It has also been suggested as a way to improve posture and athletic performance.
Differing from the kind of ‘massage therapy’ that many people confuse Myofascial release with, this therapeutic treatment uses different tools and techniques to achieve its results. This includes identifying trigger points, movement therapies and applying pressure to connective tissue.
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is an umbrella term for a wide variety of manual therapy techniques that focus on the muscles and fascia. This fascia is a sheet or band of connective tissue which works synergistically between muscles, organs and other soft structures in the body.
Through targeted therapy methods, MFR aims to reduce physically restricted musculoskeletal groups and improve alignment and mobility to the joints.
Sometimes this process is a way of alleviating pressures and stress on the body that can cause pain or a way to prevent future damage, by improving the body’s overall balance and form.
How Does It Work?
A bodywork expert or another trained professional in MFR will use hands-on methods of working with your soft tissue to facilitate a stretching movement that releases fascia that is bound or knotted.
This can involve sustained pressure for up to 5 minutes targeted at specific trigger points so that muscles are given enough time to stretch and soften.
Through such actions, as well as complementary movement therapies, it is hoped that muscle tissue will undergo a change in its pliability and length, allowing a kind of release to be felt within the body and encouraging joints to function more fluidly.
Restoring muscles in this way should also take the stress away from any nearby structures, such as blood vessels and nerves, which can work to reduce pain felt by some patients who suffer from long-term poor posture or injuries.
Why Is Myofascial Release A Beneficial Treatment Method?
Scientific research and several case studies suggest that myofascial release has the potential to improve range of motion and flexibility in individuals, including for those suffering from orthopedic conditions.
Some have also claimed it can improve athletic performance, especially for activities involving multiple joints and muscle groups, such as vertical jumps or sprints.
Many people suffer pain from the way they hold tension in certain parts of their body. This could be for a number of reasons, such as muscle imbalances, injury or bad posture. Muscles can become fixed in certain positions, becoming restricted or tight, and manipulation of the myofascial group is believed to resolve the restriction.
In essence, myofascial release is a form of manual therapy used to increase the extensibility of tight and restricted fascia and it is believed that this ultimately helps improve joint range of motion and reduce pain and soreness.
Arrange A Consultation
Acubody offers myofascial release treatments as a standalone therapy or as part of a wider care and bodywork plan.
If you’re suffering from muscle pain, soreness, fatigue or if you are searching for ways to reduce your stress and improve your overall wellbeing and connection between body and mind, we’d be happy to discuss how we can help you build your own myofascial release treatment program.
