The Value Of Myofascial Release Therapy

By Young Lindsay


Many people lose function or flexibility after an injury or if ongoing pain is experienced in the soft tissue of shoulders, hips or the back. Myofascial release therapy is used to release tightness and help with reduction of pain and restriction of motion. The goal of therapy is to loosen the contracted muscles, stimulate their stretch reflex and improve the blood and lymphatic circulation.

The fascia is the name given to the connective tissue that surrounds organs, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. It serves as a cushioning agent, protecting and supporting these structures. Healthy tissue is relaxed but when it is damaged, it becomes tight. The contraction or restriction prevents proper blood flow and the pain is accentuated if it is not treated.

Symptoms experienced by individuals are varied, including muscle pain and spasms, headaches, sciatica, chronic neck and back pain. Some people experience pins and needles or numbness and others have breathing problems. Many people experiencing fascia trauma are not diagnosed properly as it cannot be picked up on tests like X rays. They may suffer for some time and undergo many unsuccessful treatments.

Therapists have to be specifically trained to administer these techniques. There are many different types of training courses available and some of them offer diplomas or certificates. Extensive training may be needed to reach a high level of competence. The therapist is taught how to identify problem areas and to apply various techniques to deal with them in the best possible manner.

At the first session, the therapist will determine just how bad the problem is and then devise a plan of treatment which is discussed with the client. It may be decided to have a session daily or every few days. It may take weeks or even months in some cases to successfully treat a patient. The progress of a patient is carefully monitored using increased flexibility and decreased pain as indicators.

No oils, creams or machinery of any sort is used for this type of treatment. It is the therapist who does all the work. The process is safe and gentle and it has been used successfully for many years to treat injuries and pain that do not seem to respond to other measures. The whole body approach used makes this therapy really effective.

The pressure applied by a therapist gentle to much deeper. However, it is never beyond the tolerance level of the patient. Communication between the therapist and patient ensures this. Some patients experience a slight burning sensation on their skin but this is quite normal. Others may feel stretching in the area being treated.

There are many different therapists offering this type of treatment. Some are more qualified and experienced than others, making it important to check credentials before just randomly selecting one. If one is found online, it is usually possible to read testimonials from grateful clients. This is often very helpful when trying to make the right decision.




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