What is myofascial release?
Myofascial release is a type of manual therapy performed by physical therapists and massage therapists. It is often used to treat pain, either chronic or acute pain, resulting from an injury.
It is a treatment that has been used since the 1940s. Many people report being satisfied with their sessions with a myofascial release specialist and feel an improvement in symptoms.
Myofascial release specialists say the technique can treat a variety of conditions, such as sciatica, tinnitus, scoliosis and fibromyalgia.
myofascial release is common in the treatment of sciatica, fibromyalgia or scoliosis.
What is myofascial release?
First, the therapist will test for tight or scattered points in your fascia, a connective tissue found throughout the body. The possible theory about myofascial release is that parts of the fascia may tighten due to an injury or condition, and this tightening can cause pain or limited movement. A skilled myofascial release therapist aims to find these tight spaces and applies pressure to them until they are “released”.
Most sessions last about an hour, but for patients with chronic pain a session can last up to three hours. Many clinics recommend weekly sessions and a minimum of six sessions.
Alternatives to this treatment
Myofascial release is a low-risk treatment in most cases and can usually be supplemented with existing medical treatment for your condition.
However, massage therapy is not normally recommended for people with:
- Bone fractures
- Weak bones (due to a condition such as osteoporosis)
- Deep vein problems such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- A heart condition that involves taking anticoagulant medications
- Burns or wounds
- Severe respiratory conditions