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Myofascial release refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and integument, muscles, and bones, with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Fascia is located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone, it is a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures in our body. Muscle and fascia are united forming the myofascial system.

Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Since fascia is an interconnected web, the restriction or tightness to fascia at a place, with time can spread to other places in the body like a pull in a sweater. The goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue health.

The term Myofascial Release refers to soft tissue manipulation techniques. It has been loosely used for different manual therapy, soft tissue manipulation work (connective tissue massage, soft tissue mobilisation, Rolfing, strain-counterstrain etc).

There are two main schools of myofascial release: the direct and indirect method.

Direct myofascial release

The direct Myofascial Release method works directly on the restricted fascia. The practitioners use knuckles, elbows, or other tools to slowly sink into the restricted fascia applying a few kilograms-force or tens of newtons and then stretch the fascia. This is sometimes referred to as deep tissue work. Direct Myofascial Release seeks for changes in the myofascial structures by stretching, elongation of fascia, or mobilising adhesive tissues. There can be a misconception that the direct method is violent and painful. It is not essentially aggressive and painful, as the practitioner moves slowly through the layers of the fascia until the deep tissues are reached.

Technique:

1: Land on the surface of the body with the appropriate 'tool' (knuckles, or forearm etc).
2: Sink into the soft tissue.
3: Contact the first barrier/ restricted layer.
4: Put in a 'line of tension'.
5: Engage the fascia by taking up the slack in the tissue.
6: Finally, move or drag the fascia across the surface while staying in touch with the underlying layers.
7: Exit gracefully. Put the tissue where it should be and then ask for movement.

Indirect myofascial release

The indirect method gentle stretch, the pressure is in few grams, the hands tend to go with the restricted fascia, hold the stretch, and allow the fascia to 'unwind' itself. The gentle traction applied to the restricted fascia will result in heat, increase blood flow in the area. The intention is to allow the body's inherent ability for self correction returns, thus eliminating pain and restoring the optimum performance of the body. This concept is to be analogous to pulling apart a chicken carcass- when it is pulled apart slowly, the layers peel off- too fast, and it shreds.

Principles:

1: Fascia covers all organs of the body, muscle and fascia cannot be separated.
2: All muscle stretching is myofascial stretching.
3: Myofascial stretching in one area of the body can be felt and will affect the other body areas.
4: Release of myofascial restrictions can affect other body organs through a release of tension in the whole fascia system.
5: Myofascial release techniques work even though the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood.

Technique:

1: With relaxed hand lightly contact the fascia.
2: Slowly stretch the fascia until reaching a barrier/ restriction.
3: Maintain a light pressure to stretch the barrier and wait for approximately 3-5 minutes.
4: Prior to release, the therapist will feel a therapeutic pulse (e.g. heat).
5: As the barrier releases, the hand will feel the motion and softening of the tissue.
6: The key is sustained pressure over time.

Sportsclinic: 59 Henderson Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6ED  ~ Tel: 0131 553 8800 ~  Mob: 07734 688 945

For effective sports massage in Edinburgh a trusted and fully qualified practitioner is vital. Sports injuries should not be left untreated. Sportsclinic offers excellent sports massage in Edinburgh that is exceptional value for money - special offer: buy 1st get 2nd session half-price!

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