The Fascia Facts and Therapy Technique
What is Fascia? (pronounced fah-sha) is a continuous 3-dimensional web of connective tissue that surrounds all parts of the human body including muscles, bones, blood cells vessels, nerves and organs. To put it simply, fascia is what keeps our body together, gives us shape and is integral in how our conscious and subconscious systems communicate.
When we experience stress, emotional/physical trauma, inflammation, surgeries etc, the fascia begins to dehydrate and can adhere to surrounding structures. Fascia that has become adhered and restricted can cause a ripple effect throughout our system and in turn, pulls on different areas of the body. This causes the body to shift out of alignment and if left uncorrected will increase pain and discomfort. Adhesions within fascia can also reduce the amount of nutrients that our cells can absorb, which can lead to deficiencies over time, create pain, nerve sensations and other bizarre symptoms that often times are not near the source of our symptoms and does not show up on x-rays or MRI's.
All of us have adhesions we aren't aware of, while others may have chronic conditions such as;
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Birth Injuries (for mother or baby)
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Bladder problems
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Bursitis
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Chronic Inflammation
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Disc/Spinal injuries
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Emotional Trauma
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Endometriosis
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Frozen Shoulder
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Headaches/ Migraines
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Infertility
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Menstrual problems
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Mobility/flexibility issues
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Neurological Dysfunction
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Pelvic Pain
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Pelvic floor issues
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PTSD
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Scarring
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Sciatica
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Scoliosis
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TMJ and neck pain
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Tinnitus
What is Myofascial Release Therapy? Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) is a specialized technique developed by John F. Barnes that focuses on fascia and the release of restricted connective tissue . MFR involves using gently applied pressure to adhered tissue to restore the facias mobility and encourage healing for an exceptionally important layer of our body.
Myofascial Release Therapy is composed of three main components: structural releases, unwinding, and rebounding.
Structural Release is the combination of gentle and firm pressure to release the restrictions in the fascia. By proceeding slowly and allowing the body's natural rhythm to dictate the therapy's pace, fascia is encouraged to release by elongating, rehydrating, and reorganizing.
Unwinding involves balancing the nervous system by releasing stored tension and trauma. During unwinding, you may experience a variety of physical and emotional sensations, including shaking, trembling, crying, and laughing. The goal of unwinding is to help overcome physical and emotional restrictions by accessing the body's innate healing wisdom.
Rebounding allows the body to return to its original state after a release. This rebounding effect helps to reorganize and integrate the tissue. It also helps to promote a sense of relaxation and balance in the body. Rebounding can be viewed as a natural response of the body to the myofascial release technique and is an essential part of the healing process.
MFR creates more space for fluids and energy to move, promoting greater circulation and communication throughout the body, which can further help facilitate healing.
