What Is Myofascial Release Therapy? 


Myofascial Release Trigger Point Therapy

What is myofascial release therapy?  Myofascial release therapy is a manual therapy performed, that includes myofascial release tigger point therapy, to ease the stiffness and tension in the fascia, thereby relieving pain and other somatic dysfunctions associated with an abnormal fascia. When the trigger points in the body are removed, the tension, pain, and limited range of motion is greatly reduced and health is improved in the body and mind.

Myofascial Release Massage Therapy

Myofascial release massage therapy deals with the fascia, which is a three dimensional soft tissue that spans the entire length of the body – from the head to the foot. Its covers muscles, nerves and blood vessels, it also protects and gives the body form.  In its normal state, the fascia is fluid-like, contracting and releasing itself easily with the movement of the muscles. However, the fascia can become stiffened due to a heavy blow, long periods of inactivity, or the overuse of a particular muscle group. This stiffness is the body’s natural defense mechanism to protect against further strain to the affected area. The fibers of the fascia in that area become thickened and collagen levels become drastically reduced. This usually results in problems with mobility, severe headaches, chronic back and neck pain, poor posture, numbness, breathing difficulties and other stressful conditions.


Myofascial release therapy was specifically designed to release this stiffness by applying pressure to the affected muscle in order to stretch it out and bring back balance to the fascia. Myofascial release therapy can result in increased flexibility, better posture, reduction in muscular spasms, improved breathing and a general feeling of relief.  


Although myofascial release therapy has been around since the early 19th century, it is only in the 1990s that this therapy gained widespread patronage after many realized “its potential for pain management and increased flexibility.”[1]

Myofascial Release Massage Therapy

Generally, there are two forms of myofascial therapy application; the direct and indirect method. With direct myofascial release therapy, sometimes called myofascial release massage therapy, a considerable amount of pressure is directly applied to the affected area with a fist, elbow or other appropriate tools with the aim of stretching the fascia and relieving stiffness. With indirect myofascial release therapy on the other hand, less pressure is applied but for a longer period, the goal is to make the muscle slowly unwind by itself. Myofascial release practitioners usually use palpatory signs to co-ordinate their massage.


There are two types of myofascial release therapy; active and passive. With active myofascial therapy the patient is required to perform a muscle activity to aid the massage, while with passive myofascial therapy the patient is required to stay still while being massaged. Noah Karrasch, in his book ‘Freeing Emotions and Energy Through Myofascial Release’ categorized the body into 13 hinges as a basis for applying myofascial therapy. [2]



Myofascial release therapy has been influenced by many disciplines; it directly owes its roots to osteopathy. In modern times, Myofascial practitioners likes John F. Barnes [3] and Noah Karrasch have introduced the concept of the chakras and oriental medicine to their myofascial procedures.  This has given myofascial therapy a more holistic grounding; Noah Karrasch’s, “bodymindcore” 4 concept captures this new dimension to myofascial release therapy.


As a Sacramento myofascial release therapist I am very happy with the results that I see when I work with the fascia on my clients.

1. Myofascial Release. http://cranioworks (dot) com/myofacial-release/
   
   
2. Noah Karrasch. Freeing Emotions and Energy Through Myofascial Release. Singing Dragon, 2012.
   
   
3. The John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach (part 1). http://www (dot) massagemag.com/Magazine/2006/issue127/John-Barnes-Myofasical-Release-Approach.php
   
   
4. Noah Karrasch. Freeing Emotions and Energy Through Myofascial Release. Singing Dragon, 2012.