Myofascial release is a form of therapy designed to relieve chronic and acute pain through special, targeted massage that aims to reduce tightness within the fascia, a sheet of connective tissue below the surface of the skin. Tightness within the fascia can restrict a patient's range of motion or cause the patient to favor one side of the body. The goal of myofascial release is to relieve pain and allow the patient to regain range of motion.
Candidates for Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is often effective in treating chronic pain caused by conditions that include carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder; it is also effective in treating acute pain caused by trauma. Some patients experience myofascial pain in the form of headaches or lower back pain. Myofascial release may be recommended in combination with traditional pain-relief treatments, including anti-inflammatory medications, heat and ice application, and stretching exercises.
The Myofascial Release Procedure
Myofascial release is performed by chiropractors, sports medicine specialists, physical therapists and massage therapists trained in myofascial release. It typically takes place in a health center or outpatient clinic. After an initial consultation in which the location of the affected fascia is determined, the medical professional typically applies gentle pressure to the affected area or guides the patient through prolonged, low-load stretching. Sessions are performed, depending on the severity of the patient's condition, every day or every few days.
What does myofascial pain feel like?
Myofascial pain syndrome symptoms include: Pain that's aching, throbbing, tight, stiff or vice-like. Trigger points (small bumps, nodules or knots in your muscle that causes pain when touched and sometimes when they're not touched). These commonly develop as the condition worsens.
How to release myofascial trigger points myself?
2.) Foam rolling
3.) Massage Ball/Tennis ball. ...
4.) Self massage. ...
5.) Stretch trigger points.
What if I can't release myofascial trigger points myself?
Trigger point therapy can be performed utilizing needles to break up the fibrotic components of the triggerpoints manually. Usually, a small gauge needle is used. It can be done either "dry needling style" where nothing is injected after the needling is done, or by using injectate after the manual needling to help heal the area. Anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, and ortho biologics (PRP, stem cell, etc.) can all be injected into triggerpoints after the manual needling is performed.
What are the potential side effects of myofascial release?
-Internal bleeding (brusing).
-Trouble moving your muscles.
-Short-term paralysis (very rare).
-Nerve damage (extremely rare).
Why can myofascial release be so painful?
It can just feel that way. Fascial tissue that is thickened, glued, restricted, and tight, and has many points of attachment in the body. Softening and easing tension in one area often leads to a sensation of tightness or pain in another. Superficial or even deep nerves can also become in trapped by tight muscle tissue, so this can also produce pain when the muscle is contacted.
