Myofascial release is a massage therapy that targets connective tissue or fascia to relieve muscle tension and increase flexibility. It is helpful for patients with muscle-related health issues and can improve posture and relieve soreness. Certification requires class, textbook, and practice hours.
Myofascial release is a type of soft tissue massage that incorporates stretching and massaging the connective tissue or fascia. It began to be a popular form of massage therapy in the late 1990s as patients realized the potential for pain management and the increased flexibility it offered. Like other forms of massage therapy, there are a number of schools that offer certification in myofascial release. Massage students must log a set number of class, textbook, and practice hours before being certified.
This practice usually begins with a gentle massage that is intended to warm up and loosen the muscles. As the therapist works, he/she identifies areas of tension that need further attention and will return to those areas to stretch and work the fascia. Sometimes myofascial release can be quite intense, especially in the case of muscles that are holding a large amount of tension and stress. After the session, some clients feel a slight stiffness and soreness, which usually fades over the next few days, leaving behind a sense of well-being.
Myofascial release works on the principle that many people hold stress in their muscles, which causes the muscles to seize or lock. This is aggravated by muscle injuries and scarring. It aims to access these areas of blockage and tension in order to release them, thus freeing up the muscle and allowing it to move more easily and effectively.
During sessions, the client may be manipulated into a wide variety of poses, or the massage therapist may stretch a muscle only a small amount, using a few fingers to get deep into the muscle and pull it into a beneficial stretch. Breathing in combination with stretches is recommended for maximum comfort and benefit.
In patients with fibromyalgia, back pain, and other muscle-related health issues, myofascial release can be very helpful. For this reason, some doctors prescribe it alongside other forms of therapy to give patients a wider range of options. It is often incorporated into pain management plans and patients often feel positive effects after only a few sessions.
Regular myofascial release can improve posture, relieve areas of muscle soreness, and improve flexibility. Like any course of massage therapy, patients should consult a physician before embarking on a myofascial release program, to avoid conflicts with medical conditions or other treatments. A session should never be painful, and if pain is felt, the therapist should work on the affected area differently or move to another position.
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