Opening Day is May 3rd, 2025!
The Art and Science of Myofascial Release!
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a type of connective tissue made up a combination of elastin fibers, collagen fibers, and a gelatinous fluid called ground substance. This matrix forms a network throughout the body, connecting and enveloping muscles, muscle fibers, muscle fibrils, muscle cells, bones, organs, and other tissues. It also wraps around the brain and the spinal cord, forming the dura. Fascia is essentially a three-dimensional "spiderweb" or "fabric" that, at its most basic level, provides structure, support, and stability to the body.
There are different layers of fascia, including superficial, deep, visceral, and parietal fascia, each with slightly different functions. Fascia allows for smooth movement and gliding of tissues and organs, while also providing stability and support to the body. Deep fascia is highly innervated with nerves. This extensive innervation suggests fascia plays an important role in pain perception, proprioception, and potentially other sensory functions.
The majority of fascia in the body is oriented vertically, but there are also several key transverse planes, including the pelvic floor, diaphragm, thoracic inlet, and cranial base. These transverse planes are particularly dense and play crucial roles in supporting and stabilizing various parts of the body
Scientists now recognize that fascia plays a much broader role in the body, potentially influencing everything from hormonal signaling and immune response to emotional regulation. Fascia plays a significant role in how emotions are experienced and stored. It's believed to act as a "holographic" storage system, holding not only physical tension but also emotional information from trauma or intense experiences. Fascial restrictions, often caused by chronic stress or trauma, can disrupt the nervous system and contribute to a range of emotional responses, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
What are Myofascial Restrictions?
Myofascial Restrictions refer to areas of tightness. This tightness can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, affecting overall body function and movement. Restrictions take place when fascia phase transitions from its normal malleable gel like state to a hardened non malleable state, essentially locking down and impinging muscles, nerves and blood vessels preventing them from doing their jobs efficiently. This transition occurs as a result of a variety of factors listed below.
- Trauma: Injuries like falls, car accidents, or sports injuries as well as psychological trauma can lead to fascial restrictions.
- Chronic stress: Emotional factors like stress, grief, or unresolved trauma can contribute to muscle tension and fascial tightness.
- Physiological factors: Deficiencies in vitamins or minerals, food intolerances, or chronic dehydration can also play a role.
- Poor posture: Slouching or poor alignment can cause fascia to tighten.
- Repetitive movements: Overworking certain muscles or joints through repetitive tasks can lead to restrictions.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of movement and exercise as is common in our modern lifestyle due to long periods standing or sitting at our jobs and our forms of entertainment in T.V. and scrolling our phones.es, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
How do Myofascial Restrictions affect my health?
Myofascial restrictions can impact overall health by causing pain, reduced range of motion, and potential nerve and blood vessel compression. These restrictions can lead to the following health issues.
Pain and Stiffness:
- Myofascial restrictions can cause localized pain and tenderness in muscles, often felt as knots or trigger points.
- These restrictions can lead to muscle stiffness and reduced range of motion.
Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances:
- Persistent pain and muscle tension can lead to fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
- Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of myofascial pain syndrome.
Headaches and Postural Issues:
- Myofascial restrictions in the neck and upper back can contribute to headaches.
- Poor posture and muscle imbalances can develop as a result of myofascial restrictions.
Other Potential Effects:
- Restrictions in the fascia can compress nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues, potentially leading to numbness, tingling, or shooting pains.
- In some cases, myofascial restrictions may contribute to or be associated with other conditions like fibromyalgia
- Additionally, they can contribute to psychological distress and potentially affect joint function
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique that focuses on relieving pain and restoring motion by releasing tension. The therapist identifies areas of tightness or restriction in the fascia and applies gentle sustained pressure to these areas until the tension is released. This gentle pressure, long duration stretch allows the fascia time to elongate and phase transition back to its normal malleable gel like state. allowing more freedom of movement and a reduction in pain and tension. Myofascial Release is a mind/body therapy that is safe, gentle, and consistently effective in producing lasting results.
- Conditions treated: Myofascial release can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, muscle tightness, headaches, and restrictions in movement. For a more complete list of all the conditions MFR has been useful in treating follow the link below to the pioneer of Myofascial Release John Barnes https://myofascialrelease.com/about/problems-mfr-helps.aspx