Have you ever had knee pain, only to find that your injured lower back was causing the problem? This is because our body is incredibly complex and interconnected. Every part of our body is bound together, from cells to muscles to organs, by something called fascia. If you have some questions about fascia and how myofascial release can be beneficial to you, then you’re in the right place.
What Is Fascia?
Fascia is a densely woven system covering and penetrating every part of our body: every bone, muscle, nerve, artery, and organ. Think of it like a strong spider web tangled in a shrub, and the gaps between each thread are a clear gel instead of air. That’s basically what fascia is. It is a continuous, flexible structure that holds everything together.
When our bodies experience stress or injury, fascia in the affected area hardens and causes pain. It is similar to how a sweater bunches when you pull on a thread. And since fascia is so interconnected, other parts of the body can feel the painful effects of “bunching” too.
What Is Myofascial And How Is That Different From Fascia?
Myofascia is not different from fascia at all! Myofascia is a subset of fascia that is wrapped around and in between muscle structures. We can use myofascial and muscle interchangeably since muscles do not and cannot exist without myofascial.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a hands-on technique done directly on the skin without oils, creams, or machinery. It involves applying gentle pressure on trigger points to ease tension and tightness in the underlying fascia. Most myofascial release treatments happen during a massage therapy session with a trained practitioner who can correctly massage the myofascial and feel for stiff areas. Repeated application of manual light pressure will help the tissue release its tightness and return to its original pliable state.
What Can Myofascial Release Do For Pain?
Myofascial release is an effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain. Myofascial pain can stem from skeletal muscles bound by tightened fascia or damaged myofascial tissue itself. In both cases, blood flow is restricted from the affected area, which increases contractions and tension even further until the area is treated.
Myofascial release loosens the fascia to reintroduce blood flow, promote healing and relieve tension. You may find that the massage therapist sometimes works in an area different from where the pain originates. That is because myofascial release aims to work on the broad network of muscles. Again, because our fascia is an interconnected network, a reduction in tension throughout the entire body is needed for effective pain relief.
Do you have chronic pain? Perhaps myofascial release therapy is the perfect treatment for you. Visit Prairie Sage Massage in Winnipeg today. Our team of registered massage therapists is here to create a treatment plan specifically for you!
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