Myofascial Release Massage
Does your jaw ache since you twisted your knee? Have you suffered with headaches since your hip surgery years ago? There can be a connection, even though most people are not familiar with some of the causes and effects.
Myofascial release massage (MFR) is a gentle, relaxing massage that works the connective tissues or “fascia” of the body. MFR looks at the structural asymmetries in the body and seeks to find and treat the root causes of problems, instead of only addressing the symptoms. MFR differs from other types of massage in that it applies gentle pressure, held for a length of time, to encourage the connective tissue restrictions to release, to open and elongate the tissues.
Benefits of MFR
The benefits of MFR include pain reduction, a decrease in inflammation, an increase in blood and lymph flow, reduced anxiety, a decrease in joint pain, more oxygen to the muscles, improvements to posture, deeper breathing, restoration of movement and function within the joints and soft tissue, increased energy and slowing or reversing a progression of illness. MFR can have real benefits for chronic conditions like Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, depression, chronic low back pain, chronic fatigue, GI issues, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and more.
Causes of Fascial Restrictions
Some common causes of fascial restrictions are inflammation, poor posture, involuntary holding patterns due to stress, sitting or standing for long periods of time, physical or emotional traumas, disease, car accidents, repetitive motion, sports injuries and scarring from surgeries. Collagen, elastin and a gel-like substance make up connective tissue. This is what allows tissue to move and stretch as needed. Restrictions occur when the fibers in the fascia stick together and spaces are minimized or closed off completely causing the fascia to lose its fluidity and pliability. The result is pain, poor blood flow, weaker nerve impulses, limited flexibility, tension and stress on the body.
Releasing Fascial Restrictions
MFR treatments apply gentle, sustained pressure to areas of restricted tissue to eliminate pain and improve overall function of the body. MFR treatment helps to release restrictions and can stimulate profound, long-lasting, positive changes in both the mind and body. Since all of us have some degree of facial restriction, everyone can benefit from MFR.
Related Blog Posts
Connecting With Our Connective Tissue
Listening to and caring for our connective tissue.Read the Post
The Healing Touch of Myofascial Release Massage
Does your jaw ache since you twisted your knee? Have you suffered with headaches since your hip surgery years ago? There can be a connection, even though most people are not familiar with some of the causes and effects.Read the Post
Integrative Pain Management: Free From Pain, Free From Dependency
Why not Pop a Pill? It’s Easy…right? A recent study showed that patients over 60 who were given opiate painkillers after minor surgeries considered to be “low pain,” were 44% more likely to still be using the painkillers a year later when compared to patients who were not prescribed opiates right away. There was also a strong trend in the opiate group to…Read the Post
Sleeping Positions and Pain - Part 2
I have heard from a number of people since I wrote my first blog about this on how hard it is to change from being a stomach sleeper to being comfortable in any other position, even though sleeping on their stomach causes pain. I understand because I was a stomach-sleeper till I was in my teens. Then my neck cramped up big time and I couldn’t do that any more. It was a…Read the Post
Massage Therapists are Health Professionals
Something that I find disappointing in my practice is how seldom doctors recommend therapeutic massage to their patients for the alleviation of pain.Read the Post