What is myofascial release?
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Dr. Mike Clark answered:Myofascial release or foam rolling may sound new to you, but chances are, you have done it before or had someone else do it to you. Have you ever had a massage? A massage therapist practices a form of myofascial release when he or she performs deep-tissue massage and releases the knots -- also called trigger points -- you have in muscles. Most of the time you feel these knots in your neck and back, but they occur all over the body. Wherever you have muscle, you can get a knot. These can build up over time, decreasing the muscle's ability to lengthen and contract correctly.
Foam rolling (slowly moving a muscle across a foam roll, stopping at trigger points and holding for thirty to forty-five seconds) helps eliminate these knots in muscle tissue. Foam rolling can't replace a deep-tissue massage given by a licensed massage therapist, since the therapist can get much deeper into your muscle tissue than foam rolling can. However, it is a form of massage you can do every day to warm up your muscles, loosen tight or tense areas, and increase the range of motion around a joint.Myofascial release or foam rolling may sound new to you, but chances are, you have done it before or had someone else do it to you. Have you ever had a massage? A massage therapist practices a form of myofascial release when he or she... More -
Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD answered:Myofascial release is a way of stretching tissue to make postural and alignment changes by releasing tension in the fascia. In its natural state, the fascia gives strength and support to the body. But when the fascia becomes constricted due to illness or trauma, it can become tight and pull muscles or bones out of alignment. This form of bodywork is particularly helpful to reduce muscle tension and ease chronic pain.
During a session, the therapist palpates different areas of the body to find the places of restriction. Then using long strokes, the tissues are gently stretched along the direction of the muscle fibers until the therapist feels resistance. This tension or resistance is held until the soft tissues relax with the goal of elongating the tissue.
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Myofascial release is a way of stretching tissue to make postural and alignment changes by releasing tension in the fascia. In its natural state, the fascia gives strength and support to the body. But when the fascia becomes constricted due... More -
Myofascial release involves a gentle form of stretching and compression. The therapy, also known as soft tissue mobilization or MFR, releases the uneven tightness in injured fascia. Fascia is the dense, tough tissue that surrounds and covers the body's organs, muscles and bones.
In the normal healthy state the fascia is relaxed and soft, and it can stretch without restriction. However, following physical trauma or inflammation, fascia loses its pliability, and it becomes a sense of tension throughout the body.
Myofascial release is different from massage, which focuses on muscles. This approach is thought to treat the causes of pain, not just the symptoms.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Myofascial release involves a gentle form of stretching and compression. The therapy, also known as soft tissue mobilization or MFR, releases the uneven tightness in injured fascia. Fascia is the dense, tough tissue that surrounds and covers the... More
