What is Myofascial Release Therapy?

Myofascial release is a manual therapy that treats pain and stiffness by addressing restrictions in the fascia.

John F. Barnes Myofascial Release (MFR) is a hands-on, non-invasive, pain management technique that uses gentle sustained pressure into areas of restriction until the facial restrictions are released.

What is Fascia?

Fascia is a thin connective tissue that surrounds organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves, and muscles throughout the body.
It contains many nerve endings, making it nearly as sensitive as skin.
Healthy fascia is smooth, flexible, and able to glide easily.
Trauma, surgery, or inflammation can cause fascia to tighten and stick together.
These restrictions often form trigger points or adhesions.
Myofascial restrictions are difficult to diagnose with standard medical imaging.
They do not appear on X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, myelograms, or electromyography tests.

How does fascia contribute to pain?

Adhesions and trigger points place significant pressure on sensitive structures.
These restrictions limit fascial movement and contribute to stiffness and pain.
Identifying the exact trigger point causing pain can be difficult.
A trigger point in the neck may cause pain in the hip.
Trigger points in the back can refer pain to the hip or groin.
Because of this, myofascial release is applied to broad areas of tissue.

Who can benefit from Myofascial Release?

Many individual seek myofascial treatment after losing flexibility or function following an injury. MFR can help with back, shoulder, hip, or any other joint pain. It can also help with fibromyalgia, headaches, or virtually any pain within a muscle or soft tissue. Many patients seek myofascial treatment after losing flexibility or function following an injury. At ScoliosisPTJax we use MFR on many individual to release tension in the back, shoulder, or hip.

How does Myofascial Release work?

To understand MFR, you must understand how muscle tightness in one area affects other parts of the body.
The fascia model by John Barnes shows how tightness in the front of the right hip pulls the hip forward.
This forward pull creates imbalances above and below the hip.
These imbalances affect the spine, shoulders, knees, and feet.
Hip tightness can cause headaches, neck pain, and low back pain.

An MFR-trained therapist starts with a full alignment evaluation.
The therapist observes the ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles on both sides.
The therapist may perform manual muscle tests to compare strength between sides.
The therapist then selects the best area to begin treatment.

An MFR session feels similar to a massage on a table.
The therapist applies gentle pressure to stretch rigid tissue.
The therapist releases trigger points and adhesions with sustained pressure.
You may feel burning, tingling, or warmth during treatment.
You may feel sensations away from the therapist’s hands.
Fascia connects the entire body.
The therapist moves to other areas as tissue releases.

Instrument assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Specially designed instruments can be used to effectively break down fascia restrictions and scar tissue. The ergonomic design of these instruments provides the clinician with the ability to locate restrictions and allows the clinician to treat the affected area with the appropriate amount of pressure.

Studies have also shown clinical benefits of IASTM showing improvements in range of motion, strength, and pain perception treatment

The Graston Technique is one type of IASTM. There are 6 core tools used in Graston Technique. These tools are made of stainless steel with rounded edges not sharp. The instruments are used to scan over areas and detect adhesions. During a Graston Technique session,

The practitioner will utilize the Graston instruments to scan, then treat, the affected area.
Treatment generally consists of the clinician rubbing the affected area(s) with the handheld stainless steel Graston Technique instruments, using very specific, calculated massage techniques.
Treatment time is usually 30 to 60 seconds per area treated.
It is common for patients to experience some discomfort during the procedure.

Can Myofascial Release help with Back Pain?

Thoraco- lumbar facia(diamond shape in the low back)

YES!

The thoracolumbar fascia is a large, roughly diamond-shaped area of connective tissue in the low back. Research shows that individuals with low back pain have thicker and tighter thoracolumbar fascia. Providing MFR to this diamond shape area followed by and stretching and strengthening program can reduce low back pain.

How can Myofascial Release help with Scoliosis?

When we observe scoliosis on an X-ray, we generally see a C- or S-shaped curve going to the right or left. However, we know that with scoliosis, the spine rotates in 3 dimensions. There are shorter and longer muscles on the right side of the body as compared to the left side. In addition, there are longer and shorter muscles on the front of the body than on the back. Along with being shorter or longer, these muscles are also weaker or stronger, leading to a 3-dimensional imbalance within the muscles and fascia along the body with scoliosis. This imbalance contributes to adhesions and trigger points within the muscles, which can continue to tighten and pull the spine into the scoliosis posture. MFR works to balance the muscle lengths. It is strongly recommended that, in addition to MFR, a client works with a therapist certified in Scoliosis Specific Exercises, such as the Schroth Method.

The green muscle is SHORT
The red muscle is LONG
The Green arrow indicates the lumbar concave area with shortened muscles.

At ScoliosisPTJax, our therapists can evaluate your back and determine if the myofascial release can benefit you.