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Relief from Chronic Pain!
Myofascial Release Therapy Explained
After telling a friend about my neck and shoulder that I could not longer turn, due to pain and was becoming afraid to drive – and medication that didn't help (only making my ears ring) - she recommended that I meet Bob Smith. By the time the summer was over, neck and shoulder were so much better, I forgot they had hurt to miserably before. A few years later my right foot was so bad that I bought every remedy available – before coming back to Bob. This time, learning that he did myofascial release intensive. I tried it and found it to be an awesome experience. Extremely therapeutic, beneficial and enlightening. Neck, shoulder and foot are all doing fine, but find I enjoy a maintenance program for a wonderful sense of well-being. – Patty J., 72 yrs. old, Frozen Neck and Shoulder; Plantar Fasciitis
Myofascial comes from the Latin words “myo” for muscle and “fascia” for band. Therapists use techniques to ease the pressure in fibrous bands of connective tissue (or fascia) that encase the muscles throughout your body. These thick, elastic connective tissues are in and about the bones, blood vessels and nerves of your body and it could be described as a “web”, and this fascia works similar to a shock absorber, supporting your organs and joints. Restrictions in the Myofascial system may be caused by trauma – either physical or emotional, inflammation, or posture, and results in abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, osseous structures and organs.
In healthy condition, fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration, with the ability to stretch and move without restriction. Physical trauma, scarring or inflammation cause the fascia to lose its pliability and this causes restriction and tension to the rest of the body. Symptoms, like pain and restriction, decrease during the course of therapy, as we correct the myofascial structure. These restrictions are manipulated and eased by a therapist, until they are removed and you are free from pain! This may be somewhat uncomfortable during some treatments and yet relaxing during others. The real comfort is in knowing that you are healing. Not only is it a physical relief and an emotional one as well, for anyone who has lived with chronic pain or fatigue.
Myofascial Release, like many alternative therapies, is a part of a larger philosophy of healing that considers the mind/body interactions and could include a pain management program dealing with behavioral health techniques, acupuncture, drug therapy nutritional counseling and relaxation techniques.
This therapy is an art form and therapists performing Myofascial Release actually can feel the body respond to treatment and ease the restrictions that they feel. Oftentimes the body will indicate another point to start to treat that is an underlying cause of restriction and thus, pain. Pain is actually a symptom. You do not want to only treat a symptom, as so many times you may have experienced in the past by taking medicines, but to treat the cause of that pain. The cause of the pain many times is a restriction and Myofascial Release Therapy will remove those restrictions so that the body no longer signals for help by emitting pain messages! Click on the link entitled Learn More on this page, for more information on what to expect at Myofascial Release treatment sessions.
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