WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY?
Myofascial Release Therapy, also known as MFR, is a specialised style of manual therapy that is often used for effective treatment, rehabilitation of body tissue aches and pains, tension, and tightness.
Myofascia, or fascia as it's often called, is a connective tissue in the body that webs all through the body. Fascia acts to stabilise, enclose and separate muscles and other internal structures. Fascia has many layers and is flexible, allowing it to resist large forces placed on it. Yet if the tissues begin to dehydrate or are damaged, the fascia stops gliding smoothly with other tissues and binds itself down. Fascia can get tight for various reasons, but its most common reason is trauma, either from injury, surgery, or inflammation.
In modern medicine, facia was often thought of as having no function and was in the body to fill gaps as packing material; however, research now shows that fascia wraps around many body structures to protect them and help them glide with each other. Fascia has many nerve endings that tell the brain how the body is moving, but it also tells our body about painful sensations. Fascia has also been shown to respond to emotional input.
Myofascial release covers a wide style of treatments, but we specialise in all techniques but particularly those with a slow, sustained approach, following the ebb and flow of the tissues being treated. These sustained techniques are incredibly gentle and offer body-wide changes and tissue reorganisation and offer a platform for emotional release from tensions held in the body.
As a Certified Self Myofascial Release Therapist, we can teach customers self-myofascial release exercises to do at home to compliment treatment too using myofascial release tools such as MFR balls Peanut balls and foam rollers. Classes can be 1-2-1 or in a group setting, both virtually and face to face.
We have undertaken extensive training in myofascial release both through undergraduate training as osteopaths, and latterly from postgraduate training continuous professional development courses to help us to be the best myofascial release therapists we can be. We will happily discuss your individual needs in a safe, confidential environment, so please do contact us for further information.
WHY DOES FASCIA NEED TREATMENT?
As we said above, fascia is highly packed with nerve endings that tell our brain lots of information about the body. If this tissue isn't functioning well and is getting stiff and inflexible, then so will the surrounding body parts. Fascial release helps us release perceived tension in the body and help manage pain sensations.
DOES IT HURT?
Slow, sustained approach myofascial release is extremely gentle and is virtually painless. You may feel some tension at specific points, but often people feel a gentle warm sensation, and a reduction of pain. As fascia has a close relationship with our emotions, sometimes people can feel an emotional release during treatment and it’s important to remember this is perfectly normal and nothing to be embarrassed about!
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Some people can feel tired and spaced out after treatment, while others sometimes feel a little stiff, similar to the feeling of doing too much the day before. Effects should only last 24-48 hours, but should you be concerned please do get in touch with us. We give aftercare advice to every customer to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge to help yourself should you experience any after-effects.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
We respect that not everyone wants to get undressed to their underwear, so small shorts and a vest top (for women) are a great alternative. Myofascial release works best when we can work directly on your skin, so sometimes we may need you to roll up a t-shirt!
THERAPIES
