Service
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a specialty hands-on technique. Your specialist applies gentle, sustained pressure to tight or restricted fascia, the connective tissue around your muscles, to help ease pain and help you move more freely.
What is Myofascial Release?
Fascia is a web of connective tissue that surrounds and links the muscles throughout your body. After injury, overuse, poor posture or long periods of tension, areas of fascia can become tight and restricted, which may contribute to pain, stiffness and muscle spasms.
In myofascial release, your specialist feels for tight or tender areas and applies slow, sustained pressure and stretch to them, holding until the tissue begins to ease. Techniques such as myofascial release target muscle tightness, promoting relaxation and reducing spasms.
Myofascial release is different from other soft tissue techniques we offer. In Active Release Technique you move the area while your therapist applies pressure, and fascial manipulation follows its own system of treating specific points in the fascia.
At KOH Physical Therapy Lab, myofascial release is provided by our specialists as one part of an individualized plan, often alongside manual therapy, exercise and other treatments.
Benefits
Benefits of myofascial release
- May relax tight muscles and reduce muscle spasms
- May help ease pain and stiffness linked to restricted fascia
- May improve flexibility and range of motion
- Offers a hands-on, drug-free option as part of your plan
- Many people find it relaxing
Who it is for
Who it may be right for
- People with tight muscles or muscle spasms
- People with chronic back or neck pain
- People with tension-type headaches
- People with jaw (TMJ) pain
- People with pain from prolonged sitting or repetitive movement
- People with fibromyalgia looking for pain management and tension relief
During treatment
Does myofascial release hurt?
It depends on the severity and location of the problem. Myofascial release can feel very relaxing, or it can be uncomfortable when the tension is deep and needs more pressure. Your specialist adjusts the pressure to you, so let them know how it feels.
Some people notice less pain and better mobility after one session, and it often takes several treatments to fully address a problem.
Side effects usually last a few days, and not everyone has them.
Possible side effects include:
- Soreness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Sensitivity
Related
Related services
Fascial Manipulation
Fascial manipulation is a manual therapy technique for treating pain from soft tissue injury. It targets muscles and fascia to help ease musculoskeletal pain and stiffness and improve how you move.
Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique (ART) is a non-invasive, movement-based soft tissue technique designed to locate and treat soft tissue problems. Your physical therapist applies pressure to a tight area while you move it.
Ready to get started?
Request an appointment online, or text our scheduling team. Text is the fastest way to reach us.