Myofascial Release

What is myofascial release and is it the right treatment for me?

Myofascial release is a gentle but powerful form of therapy that works to ease pain and dysfunction in the body. But what happens at a myofascial release treatment session and is it the right type of therapy for you?

Fascia is a relatively new area of medical discovery. Not long ago fascia was the part of the body that was automatically thrown out during an exploratory autopsy. It was deemed to have little or no interest medically. Even today it is rarely taught anywhere but specialist anatomy lessons.

So...what is fascia? Fascia is a weblike 3 dimensional connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs, bones and muscles of the body. Healthy fascia glides smoothly, allowing free and easy movement. This remarkable tissue is more than an aid to effective movement though. Fascia communicates throughout the body via electrical impulses. This communication means that the fascia located in the right shoulder is intimately connected to the facia in the pelvis and that in the little toes!

Fascia can convey messages of pain across the body, this can sometimes result in the feeling of pain manifesting in one area, but the root cause of the pain occurring in another place entirely. This also means that by working on the fascia anywhere in the body, we have the ability to release the pain elsewhere in the body.

Pain can be communicated via the fascia. This can mean that we may feel pain in one part of our bodies although the cause originates in another part altogether. This communication also means that by working with the fascia on one part of the body, we are able to release pain in another part of the body, sometimes without even touching the area that is causing the pain!

Fascia is an intelligent, living part of us. It is able to adapt and change depending on how we use our bodies. This is one of the reasons why a person who spends many hours crouched down, perhaps picking crops, will have a very different body structure to a person who spends the same amount of time hunched over a computer at a desk.

What is Myofasical Release?

When we work with the fascia we begin to see this innate intelligence in action. It often takes a very gentle touch and as much time as the body needs to see this but given time, patience and care we can begin to see the body unwinds itself.

Myofascial release as a therapy is really a conduit for the body to do what comes naturally. The therapist is there to awaken the body to its own healing power.

This is why the therapy is so gentle. There is no need for forceful manipulation here. In fact, if a therapist was too forceful this would have the opposite effect to what is wanted. The fascia would become more brittle to oppose the force it feels. This could mean more longterm pain. By using gentle touch and by giving the fascia the time that it needs we are able to allow the body to dictate the process.

As well as physical pain and tension, we find that the body's stored emotions are often found within the fascia. This can mean anything from daily stresses of life to childhood trauma or negative emotions that for various reasons haven't been properly worked through. Whilst working with fascia you may find that we begin to release some of these emotions. This can be a very positive, albeit unnerving experience. There may be very little warning that you may feel a release and it is worth knowing that this is a possible outcome before having the therapy so that you can be somewhat prepared. Having said that, not everyone finds that they have any emotional reaction to the therapy. We are all different.

An emotional reaction can differ from person to person. Some people may feel within the mind, but it is likely to be released as a physical reaction. This could be unconscious movement of the body, anything from small twitches to limbs moving about seemingly by their own accord. For most people this is a positive, pleasant experience. If you find that you are not comfortable with how your body is reacting you are always in control. You can stop your body from moving and of course you can always tell your therapist to stop. It is important to note that if you did not have this control your body would not feel the safety it needs to respond to the therapy.

What Happens During a Myofascial Release Treatment?

During your treatment you will lie on the couch, covered with a sheet and blanket. You will usually undress for the treatment as the therapy works best directly onto the skin. We rarely use oils as these create a barrier between the skin and limits the communication between therapist and client.

There are a number of different techniques that are used in myofascial release. These tend to be very gentle holds. Occasionally the therapist may move the body gently, but generally we hold, we wait and the body will know what to do. The therapists main job here is to ensure that the body feels safe. Your job is to feel what happens.

Each hold takes its time. Sometimes you may be in one hold for up to 15 minutes. During this time you may be aware of subtle movement in your body. This isn't always the area that the therapist is working on. Open your awareness to your whole self. Your mind body connection is heightened during these treatments and you may be surprised at how aware you become of the subtlest movement in your body.

Is Myofascial Release Therapy Right For Me?

If you are ready to understand your body on a deeper level then yes, myofascial release is right for you. This is a subtle but powerful treatment and can help many people on a physcial, emotional and spiritual level.

Having experienced this therapy for myself I can only speak to my own experience. I've found it to be incredibly effective on resolving structural issues that I've had in my body for so long that I've almost forgotten they were there. I've experienced moments that have resolved past traumatic events and removed the negative feelings from these times of my live. I've also had some 'eureka' moments which have helped me to really understand things about my self. These moments have all been very personal, and specific to me. I can't say what you will experience. I can say that if you feel drawn to this therapy then I strongly recommend that you try it. And try it with an open mind.