One of the pain relief modalities that we offer at Weston Medical is massage therapy. There is a reason that massage is being incorporated more broadly into medical practices: simply put, it works. When your muscular fibers are sore and tender, massage offers a form of “passive exercise,” challenging the tissue and loosening the muscle tension without the need to strain it with exercise.
Plus, massage represents a broad and versatile science of physiological manipulation. Myofascial release is one way to approach aching muscles; the Active Release Technique offered in our clinic is specifically geared toward loosening and releasing the muscles and fascia. Let’s first examine what fascia is, then get a sense of the myofascial release process.
Myofascial release: What is the fascia?
Fascia is derived from the Latin word for band, and it refers to a band of tissue that connects muscles, organs, and other parts of the anatomy. You may notice its similarity to the word fascism. Though that word has a negative connotation, its meaning is similar: fascism is (by definition) a unification of a society through its leadership, and fascia unifies all body parts. When fascia is damaged, myofascial pain results.
Fascia is made up primarily of collagen It binds together blood vessels, nerves, and the cells of the body (1). The nature of fascia is different depending where in the body it lies, but it is essentially one unified system. Because fascia is connective tissue, damage to it greatly inhibits movement. Additionally, because it is one fibrous whole-body network, myofascial pain anywhere can lead to problems elsewhere.
Myofascial release: How does the release process work?
Myofascial damage involves inflammation, followed by dehydration As the fascia retracts, the fibers tighten and, over time, scar tissue starts to form (2). Myofascial release works through the fascia and muscle tension via light, continuing pressure on the damaged fibers. After approximately two minutes of focused pressure by a massage therapist, the fascia loosens. Once that happens, hydration naturally occurs.
Once the fascia again has access to plenty of water, it is able to return to a normal and healthy state. Blood again flows through the fibers as our body intends.
Massage therapy and myofascial release must be performed expertly to restore your body to its original, healthy state. Receiving treatment at the area’s top choice for multidisciplinary rehabilitative treatment optimizes your recovery. At Weston Medical, myofascial release is just one piece of a range of techniques we can use to treat your pain. Request an appointment now for a full evaluation and to schedule a massage to relief your pain.
Sources:
(1) http://bodybasics-massage.com/2012/08/what-is-fascia/
(2) http://bodybasics-massage.com/2012/08/how-does-myofascial-release-work/
