MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY

Myofascial release therapy is often performed to localized areas of complaint in tandem with chiropractic treatments. When our chiropractors perform myofascial release, it typically involves them putting pressure and tension through some of the tight and irritated muscles. While the muscle is under this tension, the muscle is then stretched. Like a deep massage, myofascial release therapy works on trigger points or tight bands of muscle that have built up toxins such as lactic acid, and render the muscle dysfunctional. It can help relax the tight bands of muscles, break up scar tissue from micro-trauma, restore blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and help restore motion to the area. 

The muscle and joint system are intimately connected. What affects one system, affects the other by default. Therefore, if you are experiencing pain, it’s a good idea to treat BOTH systems as opposed to only treating one, and ignoring a major component of pain. This is where myofascial release comes into play.

How the symptoms come about

Most patients complain of repeated muscle contraction due to physical or emotional stress your body experiences. The muscle contraction and tightening inhibits your motion and can cause pain should you try to move abruptly. Even though this condition affects both genders, women are more susceptible in comparison to their male counterparts. The therapy treatment works equally in both cases. In case you feel a steadily worsening pain or continuous muscle ache, you should consider regular myofascial release therapy.

Increase in blood flow

Regular myofascial release therapy can increase blood pumping and vascular functions. By eliminating knots and adhesions in the fascia, the therapy opens up your blood vessels improving your blood flow. Varied techniques used in this therapy keep the muscles and connective tissues hydrated and stretched. This translates to faster healing.

Enhances muscular range motion and reduces muscular soreness

Myofascial release therapy is effective in increasing the range of motion without reducing muscle force or activity. It breaks down fascia adhesions, triggering connective tissues and muscles to loosen up and move freely. This fosters better exercise because of reduced muscle restriction during activity. Less soreness is experienced when muscles and connective tissues have better blood circulation.

Maintains a normal functioning muscular length and corrects muscle imbalances

Myofascial release reduces tension in the muscle and fascial network. This means that the muscles return to their normal/average length, thus improving muscle function.

Decreases pain

The body is physically stressed when it experiences continuous pain over extended periods. Usually, pain evolves and manifests itself in different patterns making it appear as if every part of your body is in pain. Fortunately, myofascial release therapy acts on more than the painful area as it targets all the dysfunctional areas in the body. It enhances the functioning of the lymph, blood system and nervous system thus allowing the body to heal naturally. The body in turn releases natural endorphins which are the body’s natural painkillers hence eliminating the need for prescription medicine.

Improves nerve function

Fascia adhesions can sometimes cause tingling sensations, numbness and pain in the arms and legs. With regular myofascial release therapy, the pressure is released from the nerve, creating a new awareness of the affected region by restoring proper nerve function.

Improves blood circulation

Adhesions in the fascia decrease blood flow when they compress the arteries. This could boil down to some extremely painful muscle cramps. To reverse the situation, regular sessions of Myofascial release therapy increases blood flow ensuring that needed nutrients get to the tissues and wastes are expelled.

Getting the best treatment with Myofascial release therapy

It is important to allow professionally trained professionals to help you through the sessions especially if it is for healing purposes. Different pressure level applications on different body parts affect the therapy’s impact on your body.