Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release (MFR) is a whole body hands on approach aiming to reduce pain, improve function and restore range of movement. Myo stands for muscle and fascial is the connective tissue which spreads like a spiders web in the whole body covering us from head to toe, The fascia penetrates as deeply as the bone, muscle, heart, lungs and spinal cord.
When the fascia is healthy it has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When we experiance physical trauma, scarring, inflammation and bad posture the fascial can become glued down and lose its elasticity. These restrictions can put pressure on the muscles, nerves and joints creating pain and reduced mobility.
Fascia can be described like a 3D sweater, when the fascial netork is tight it will become twisted out of alignment, rather like a pull in a sweater. Tight fascia can create a band of tension three dimensionally throughout the body resulting in symptoms sometimes distant from the original site of the injury.
Myofascial release promote the philosophy that the mind and body are one, suggesting the body 
has the ability to remember postural positions, thoughts and emotions without the brain reminding it to do so. Throughout the body's fascial system are microscopic cells that contain energy which have the ability to retain memory. Sometimes memories can become locked into the fascial system and manifest themselves in physical pain. With the help of MFR the physical and emotional content of any injury, can be addressed in a safe and gentle way.
MFR is reliant upon thre key techniques for successful treatment - Myofascial Release, unwinding & rebounding.
Myofascial Release - Therapists are taught to gently stretch the fascia and the MFR technique is very different to that of massaging the body. Gentle sustained stretches for a minimum of 90-120 seconds allow the fascial to elongate and return to its normal healthy length. Even though the patient may not feel much happening the therapist can feel the fascial restrictions, where they extend and subsequently as they release.
Unwinding - A method of movement facilitation known as unwinding allows the body to free itself of restrictions by tapping into the bodies wisdom and subconscious.
Rebounding - Gentle rocking of the body allow for improved fluidity throughout the fascial system.
The art of myofascial release is to balance the restriction within the whole body creating harmony