Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a special manual technique, used for solving the soft tissue problems by stretching the fascia. Fascia is a web of connective tissue, located between the skin and the muscle-bone structure. Fascia connects all the body organs; muscle and fascia together form the myofascial system. Myofascial release technique helps in elevating the pain caused due to injured muscle fibers.
The word myofascial is a combination of two Latin words n "myo" for muscle and "fascia" for band.
Myofascial Release technique is a combination of some stretches and massages. This technique is helpful in releasing tension from the fascia. Fascia may be tighten or constricted due do injuries, stress, trauma, and poor posture. This restriction or tightness to fascia can spread to other places in the body. Myofascial Release helps the body to restore its complete balance.
A therapist practicing Myofascial Release feels for the stressed areas of the client’s body after careful observation of his posture, the therapist than stretches the restricted areas, if any, along the direction of the muscle fiber. One myofascial release session may last up to an hour and depending upon the conditions of the client can be taken one to three times per week.
There are two methods of myofascial release therapy – direct and indirect methods.
Direct Method - In this method the therapy works directly on the restricted fascia. The therapist contacts the fascia and stretches it, using slight force through his knuckle or elbow. This is some times referred as deep tissue. Some people have misconception that this method is very painful and violent.
Indirect method – In this method the therapist applies pressure is in few grams, his hands go with the restricted fascia, hold the stretch, and allow the fascia to 'unwind' itself. This results in heat and increases blood flow in the area. This method aims at helping the body to restore its self correction ability and perform optimally. Indirect method of myofascial release is gentle as compared to the direct method.
Myofascial release therapy is effective for poor posture, physical injury, illness, stress, back pain, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, menstrual problems, incontinence, tennis or golfer's elbow, shin splints, sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle spasms, whiplash injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore it can also be used for treating children suffering from birth trauma, head injuries, cerebral palsy, and scoliosis as well.
