Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on therapy that has been used succesfully for over a hundred years to treat difficult and recurring injuries and pain.

Myofascia, pronounced “my o faashaa”, is the dense tough tissue that surrounds and covers all muscles and bones. This outer covering, called fascia is very strong and very flexible. In fact is has the tensile strength of over 900 kgs.

Under a microscope Myofascia resembles a spider web or fish net. It is very organized and very flexible in a healthy state. It is continuous and has no beginning or end and can be found almost everywhere in your body. Damage to an area of Myofascia can effect other distant areas in your body even years later.

In the normal healthy state the Myofascia is relaxed and soft. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When you experience physical trauma or inflammation the Myofascia loses is pliability. It can become tight, restricted and a source of tension throughout the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall whiplash, surgery or habitual poor posture has a cumulative effect over time.

In a healthy body Myofascia helps to maintain good posture, range of motion and flexibility. It also gives our bodies tremendous strength and helps us deal with excessive stress and injuries.

Myofascia is like a superficial body suit, which allows us to move freely, breath properly and perform our daily tasks pain free. It spans the whole body and is totally connected as one piece of material. “It is called the tissue of movement”.

Myofascial Release

Is an effective hands-on therapy which can directly change and improve health of the fascia. The purpose of Myofascial Release is to break down scar tissue, relax the muscle and myofascia and restore good posture.

Jeanette Stamp RMT Calgary myofascial release therapyMyofascial Release techniques focus on relaxing the deep tissue of the body using slow and sometimes deep pressure to restore the proper health of the fascia. In general Myofascial Release is used to improve the health of the muscles and fascia, improve circulation and restore good posture.

Myofascial Release is a very effective treatment program that can significantly improve many soft tissue and orthopedic conditions.  The benefits of using Myofascial Release therapy includes:

  • Reduction in muscle spasms
  • Improved joint movement
  • Decreased muscle and fascial tension
  • Improved breathing
  • Reduction in chronic recurring injuries

During Myofascial Release treatment the pressure can range from very gentle touch to deeper pressure. The pressure from Myofascial Release therapy should never be beyond your tolerance and it is important to give feedback to your practitioner during the treatment. Some patients may experience a slight skin burning sensation in the skin, which is perfectly normal and safe. Others may feel a gentle to deep stretch on the area being treated.

The techniques of Myofascial Release therapy help to re-organize and lengthen the tight tissue allowing for better movement and health to the tissue.  Myofascial Release was specifically designed to relax the fascia throughout the whole body. And because tension in fascia can effect and cause pain in other areas, your therapist may treat other areas of the body to positively effect your treatment outcome. For example, your Myofascial Release practitioner may work on the hips and low back to help reduce tension in the neck which in turn can cause headaches. This is the benefit of a whole body approach that makes myofascial release such an effective treatment.