What is Myofascial Release (MFR)?
MFR treatment consists of hands-on techniques using traction, compression, and three-dimensional stretching of the tissue. Slow, gentle, yet deep pressure maintained over several minutes allows fascial tissue to release and lengthen. It thereby relieves compression on pain sensitive structures and restores normal mobility and alignment. The result is permanent, structural change.
How MFR is different from traditional PT
Unlike traditional physical therapy, the myofascial approach does not emphasize strengthening the body. MFR sees most pain syndromes, postural abnormalities, and restricted motion as a result of tightness, not weakness.
Also, we don’t limit our focus to one area of the body. At Quantum Therapy, we aim to provide a more holistic and comprehensive treatment of the interconnected fascia throughout the body - the myofascial system.
For example, shoulder pain could just be shoulder pain, but it could also stem from fascial restrictions elsewhere in the body that are affecting the joint mechanics of the shoulder. Because the human body is so good at compensating, finding the root of the problem is not always as straightforward as it seems.
Origin of Fascial Restrictions
Most people experience fascial restrictions throughout their lives from various events: falls, car accidents, surgeries, childbirth, chronic infections, and prolonged postures. Chronic stress, tension, and emotional trauma can also play a role in fascial restriction (or bracing patterns) in the body. Although we may appear to heal from these individual experiences, underlying fascial restrictions can remain and accumulate over time. These restrictions build up and overlap in unique patterns depending on our individual life experiences. Therefore, symptoms may seemingly appear out of nowhere, but have their origins from past injuries and/or experiences.
Description of the Fascial System
The most basic understanding of fascia is that it is a connective tissue that “packages” the muscles and organs of our bodies. But deeper inspection reveals that it is a fluid three-dimensional, continuous web that surrounds, suspends, and connects all parts of the body. It provides stability and support while allowing for gliding and flexibility with movement. Fascia suspends organs, gives muscles shape, provides protective sheaths for nerves and blood vessels, and encases the brain and spinal cord in fluid.
But what is even more fascinating about fascia is that it permeates throughout these structures down to the cellular level. The very walls of our cells are actually composed of fascia. Since fascia is a continuous structure, this means that every cell is connected to every other cell from head to toe!
Another way to think of the fascial system is as a tensegrity (tension+integrity) model. Tensegrity refers to a structural principle of architecture that describes a system made up of rigid struts and pretensioned cables.
The tension of the system is balanced in such a way that it provides optimal stability and strength under high loads of stress. However, it can fail if the tension equilibrium in the cables change or if a strut breaks. We can apply this model to the body (biotensegrity) where the cables are myofascia and the struts are bones.
Our musculoskeletal system is in good equilibrium unless there is a change in the tension of our myofascia (or a bone breaks!). The myofascial system is good at compensating for small changes, but over time, the balance equilibrium can be lost and symptoms result.
A lot is still being discovered about the importance and role of fascia. Some theorize that this complex web has a more critical role in communication between cells and storage of information. As early as 1900, Dr. Andrew Still, the father of Osteopathy called fascia the "container of the mind"!
Symptoms of Fascial Restrictions
Fascia in its normal, healthy state is mobile and flexible while restricted fascia is dehydrated, stiff, and shortened. Because fascia is contiguous with every part of our body, restrictions can have various and far-reaching effects.
The most obvious and common symptom is pain, due to compression on various pain sensitive structures in our body. Other symptoms may accompany pain, depending on the specific structures involved. For example, numbness and tingling may occur with involvement of nerves. Restricted range of motion, decreased flexibility, and postural changes occur with restrictions pulling on muscles and bones. Circulation of blood or lymph can be compromised if these vessels are compressed. Headaches/migraines can occur when there is tension in the fascia that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (the dural tube or meninges).
Fascial restrictions can also affect the functioning of organs. For example, restrictions or adhesions around the bladder can affect proper expansion/contraction properties leading to incontinence, frequency, etc.
What MFR Can Treat
Diagnoses are simply labels for clusters of symptoms. They are a convenient way for the medical community to categorize disease and dysfunction. Treatment can then be prescribed based on what is believed to be the cause of that disease or disfunction. However, the role of the fascial system in evaluating the cause of symptoms is commonly minimized or missed entirely.
Why?
The importance of the fascial system is not taught in the traditional medical model. Also, today’s diagnostic machines, such as MRI, X-RAY, and CT do not detect fascial problems. This is important to consider if you are someone who has been told ‘nothing’ is wrong with you. So, regardless of your diagnosis (or lack thereof!) MFR treatment may be the missing link in your recovery.
Common diagnoses treated:
Headaches/Migraines
TMJ/Tongue tie (adults)
Neck pain
Rotator cuff tendonitis/impingement
Frozen shoulder
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Tendonitis/Bursitis
Tennis elbow
Carpal tunnel
Low Back Pain
Sciatica
Sacroiliac dysfunction
Hip pain
Osteoarthritis
Piriformis syndrome
Knee pain
Pelvic pain
Painful intercourse/periods
Bladder incontinence
Postpartum concerns
Coccyx/Tailbone pain
Adhesions/scars
Gait abnormalities
Postural abnormalities
Scoliosis
People are often surprised to hear that "Women's Health" problems such as incontinence and various pelvic pain syndromes can be helped with MFR.
The pelvic bowl is composed of fascia, muscle, bone, nerves, etc, just like any other part of our body. Internal (vaginal and rectal) myofascial techniques are a critical part of treatment for pelvic problems. Vaginal or vulvar pain, coccyx pain, painful intercourse, and urinary leakage are a few examples of things that can be helped. They are rarely discussed, under treated, and yet surprisingly common. And while these problems are more common in women, men with pelvic pain can also be helped.
Pelvic Dysfunction and MFR
These internal pelvic techniques can also be extremely helpful in treating other diagnoses and pain syndromes such as hip or low back pain, even headaches and jaw pain. As mentioned above, symptoms are often related to distant restrictions in seemingly unrelated areas of the body
A note on scars...
A surgical scar is the most obvious form of a fascial restriction. Whether it is a longer incision, or laparoscopic holes, scars are the visible indicator of what lies beneath. Not all scars are problematic, but if a scar is tender to deep touch, it is a sign that there could be adhesions to other tissues and structures beneath the skin. By patiently holding deep pressure at or near the incision site, the fascia can release, lengthen and become more mobile.
I have witnessed dramatic improvement in range of motion and pain with release of even very old scars. Some examples include: mastectomy/lumpectomy, breast reduction, c-section, appendectomy, episiotomy, and orthopedic scars.
