What is Myofascial Release and How can it benefit you?

To understand what Myofascial Release is and why it works, you have to understand a little about fascia. Fascia is a thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body. This tissue covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle. All muscle stretching, then, is actually stretching of the fascia and the muscle, the myofascial unit.

When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn’t expect. Myofascial Release treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia.

Myofascial Release is stretching of the fascia. The stretch is guided by feedback the therapist feels from the patient’s body. This feedback tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch. Small areas of muscle are stretched at a time. Sometimes the therapist uses only two fingers to stretch a small part of a muscle. The feedback the therapist feels determines which muscles are stretched and in what order.

Each Myofascial Release technique contains the same components. The therapist finds the area of tightness. A light stretch is applied to the tight area. The therapist waits for the tissue to relax and then increases the stretch. The process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed. Then, the next area is stretched.

Note: My experience in these techniques and the results therein have been from my years of experience as a PTA.  I am currently Licensed as a Massage Therapist as well as a PTA and certified Masters Personal Traiener.  Please contact me for details on the provisions of Massage Therapy after reviewing the Massage Therapy information I have provided.  My combination of credentials allow me to provide a greater scope of individualized care with balance as my goal.  

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There is much to consider with the changes in the healthcare system regarding insurance restrictions and specifications under certain practice acts of various healthcare providers.  I will be happy to share with you what your options are providing your specific situation and the services that may be available to you.  This is yet another means for you to gain a greater understanding and education to your health, what you can do for yourself and resources that you can utilize to make an educated decisions to what healthcare interventions you choose.