Myofascial Release Therapy: Uses and Benefits
Myofascial release is a manual physical therapy that targets fascia tension. Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs. This technique relieves tension, pain, and limited mobility by stretching and applying sustained pressure on tight or sore areas. 
Plantar fascia of foot
Causes of Fascia Tension
Fascia is more dynamic than you might think. Many factors lead to tension or restriction of the fascia. Physical Trauma or Injury
After an injury, the body naturally tightens around the injured area to protect it. This protective response involves the muscles and fascia, which may contract or thicken to stabilize the area. This reaction creates short-term protection, but if it persists after the injury heals it creates a problem. 
Repetitive Movement or Overuse
Activities that involve repetitive movements—like typing, running, or lifting—overuse the affected muscle groups. Over time, the fascia surrounding the muscle can stiffen. This stiffness restricts movement and leads to pain. Stress and Emotional Tension
Emotional and mental stress physically manifests in the body. If you are stressed, muscles and fascia in the neck, shoulders, and lower back tighten as a result. This response to sustained stress creates a vicious cycle of pain and limited mobility. 
Poor Posture and Imbalance
If you are readying this hunched over a desk, tablet, or cell phone, you are creating tension in your fascia. Your fascia fights to support your stressed and misaligned muscles but eventually loses the battle leaving you with bad posture and limited flexibility. Dehydration and Lack of Movement
Fascia consists of about 70% water. Keeping hydrated keeps fascia pliable. As you dehydrate, your fascia loses flexibility and gains tension. Sitting or lying down for long periods causes the fascia to lose elasticity, leading to stiffness and pain as it restricts movement around the muscles and joints.Myofascial release aims to restore the tissue’s elasticity and mobility through sustained pressure and stretching.
How Myofascial Release Works
Myofascial physical therapy focuses on applying gentle, sustained pressure to fascia until it softens and loosens. This helps reduce restrictions in the tissue, allowing muscles and joints to move more freely. MFR aims to decrease pain by addressing physical restrictions in connective tissues and improving circulation and lymphatic drainage. This supports muscle repair and reduces inflammation.Myofascial Release Uses
Myofascial release is appropriate for conditions that cause muscle pain, tightness, and restricted movement. This includes: Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.Muscle imbalances and posture issues.Recovery from injuries such as sprains, strainsRecovery from surgery.Stress-induced pain or muscle stiffness causing tension headaches, neck pain, or back pain.
Who Benefits the Most (and Least)
Myofascial release therapy provides relief for many people suffering from a wide range of conditions. However, it isn’t a miracle cure for every person and every condition. Here is who benefits the most and the least from this form of physical therapy.Benefits the Most. People with chronic pain, athletes with muscle tension, individuals recovering from certain injuries, and those dealing with stress-related pain have all reported relief with the use of myofascial release by their physical therapist.Benefits the Least: People with conditions such as fractures, deep vein thrombosis, or open wounds should avoid this form of physical therapy. It may also be ineffective for conditions like severe joint instability or if deep tissue manipulation worsens inflammation.
Finding a Myofascial Therapy Practitioner
Balanced Body, a physical therapy office in Irvine, offers myofascial therapy as part of their comprehensive physical therapy treatments. If you aren’t in the Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, or Costa Mesa areas, look for a physical therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor in your area. These practitioners are most likely to be certified professionals with experience with this technique.You can contact Balanced Body Physical Therapy online or call (949) 748-7806 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. 