What is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a form of soft-tissue manual therapy that focuses on releasing restrictions in the body's connective tissue or fascia. It is based on the belief that when the fascia is tight, restricted or out of balance, pain, stiffness and inflammation can arise. MFR is becoming increasingly popular because of its potential to provide rapid pain relief and significantly increase range of motion in muscles.

The fascia is a network of tissue that wraps around every muscle, organ and bone in the body and works to provide support, stability and flexibility. When this tissue becomes restricted or tight, it can cause pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Myofascial release works to stretch and soften tight fascia, allowing for improved circulation and blood flow to the area. It is often used to treat chronic pain such as back pain, neck pain and headaches, as well as sporting injuries and other musculoskeletal problems. MFR is highly effective for alleviating myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome.

What is myofascial pain?

Myofascial pain is a chronic pain syndrome caused by tightness in the fascia. The pain is often localized to specific areas such as the neck or back, and can range from mild to severe. It is often characterized by aching, burning or stabbing sensations that may be worse after physical activity or when touched. Myofascial pain can be caused by:

• Muscle injuries

• Overuse of muscles due to repetitive motion

• Muscle strain or tension

• Underused muscles that become weak

• Stress and anxiety

• Postural imbalances

• Sitting for long periods of time (especially in cold, damp environments)

• Medical conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease

How does Myofascial Release work?

Myofascial release is performed by a qualified healthcare professional such as an acupuncturist, physical therapist or massage therapist, who uses their hands or a tool like an acupuncture needle, gua sha tool or graston tool to release myofascial constriction. This release is designed to increase circulation, reduce tension and help release adhesions in the fascia that can cause pain and dysfunction.

A myofascial release session typically begins with an assessment of the patient’s overall condition and health history. During this assessment, the therapist will also discuss the patient’s current symptoms and any areas of tension or restriction. Once the assessment is complete, the therapist will begin the myofascial release. The therapist will use an acupuncture needle to release active or latent trigger points, or use their hands to apply gentle, sustained pressure to the area of restriction. The pressure will be applied gradually and should not be painful. The therapist may use a variety of myofascial release techniques during the session including dry needling, kneading, stretching, and rolling. The session can last for 30 minutes to an hour. The effects of myofascial release may not be immediately noticeable, but the patient should feel a gradual improvement in their mobility and range of motion over time.

Benefits of Myofascial Release

Myofascial release, dry needling and acupuncture are safe and effective forms of manual therapy that can provide many health benefits.

• Alleviate pain

  One of the primary benefits of myofascial release is aiding musculoskeletal pain, especially chronic neck pain and lower back pain. One study demonstrated that patients with chronic lower back pain felt a significant decrease in pain intensity and improvement in physical function after five sessions of MFR. Another study looked at the efficacy of MFR compared to high-frequency TENS in alleviating trapezius muscle pain which causes neck discomfort in the posterior side of the neck and shoulder area. MFR was found to be more effective than high-frequency TENS for pain relief and functional improvement.

• Reduce inflammation and increase circulation

  Myofascial release is thought to reduce inflammation by increasing circulation and range of motion in the affected tissue, and reducing inflammatory markers. This increased circulation helps to bring oxygen and nutrients to the area and remove toxins and waste products that can contribute to inflammation. The increased range of motion may also help to reduce inflammation further by reducing muscle tension and allowing muscles to move more freely. A person’s nervous system can become hypersensitive following an injury or trauma to the body. This results in an amplification of a person’s pain from muscle tension and fascial restrictions. Myofascial release can calm down the inflammation this pain amplification causes to the nervous system.

• Improve flexibility and range of motion

  By releasing restrictions and adhesions in the fascia, myofascial release improves a patient’s flexibility and range of motion by allowing the fascia to move and stretch more freely. In turn, this can improve strength and endurance, reduce tension and improve circulation, allowing for increased oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles and tissue. As a result, muscles can become stronger and more flexible.

• Reduce stress and improve overall well-being

  Those is constant pain tend to feel more stressed and experience bouts of low mood. Myofascial release can help improve overall quality of life for chronic pain patients by relaxing the body, reducing stress and boosting mood which can reduce pain sensitivity and improve pain perception. One study showed that the release of fascial restrictions in a group of fibromyalgia patients significantly reduced their stress and anxiety levels, improved sleep quality and mood, and enhanced their overall physical functioning.

• Promote healing and recovery from injuries

  Myofascial release can also help promote healing and recovery from injuries by restoring tissue texture and removing adhesions and scar tissue from damaged tissues. In doing so, it minimizes the mechanical stress on inflamed and irritated structures within the injury site – this can speed up the recovery process.