Myofascial Release
This form of soft tissue work involves the treatment of somatic dysfunction through the contraction and stretching of muscles, increasing lymphatic drainage and the loosening of the fascia that overlay all tissues in the body.
Overuse, trauma, injury and a number of other causes can create areas of stress, fibrosis and adhesion between muscles and fascia. The new movement patterns caused by these inhibitions can significantly affect blood flow, create pain and lead to increased inflammation, which will start the cycle of injury once more.
Using fingers, knuckles, elbows and a variety of tools practitioners work to stretch bound fascia slowly and release adhesions within the tissues. Another, indirect, and gentler method strives to do the same thing, only more slowly, by encouraging the tissues to unwind themselves with subtle direction from the practitioner.
Different schools of thought teach either one of the accepted techniques of myofascial release or sometimes both. With two options available to practitioners, the treatment can be adapted to different client’s needs. A typical session will last about an hour, and both strategies are considered effective, especially when combined with more traditional massage techniques as part of a course of targeted treatment.
Myofascial release has found a strong niche in the treatment of individuals with fibromyalgia, and is often recommended to such patients. Training can take up to a year, depending upon the school attended, or it might be incorporated into a broader curriculum at a traditional massage school.