Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a hands-on technique that applies slow, sustained pressure to the fascia, the connective tissue wrapped around your muscles, to ease tightness and restrictions. It is part of the manual therapy East Mountain Physical Therapy offers in Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras and Moriarty.
What fascia is
Fascia is a thin, strong web of connective tissue that wraps every muscle and links one area to the next. After an injury, a surgery or long periods in one position, it can tighten and restrict movement, and a restriction in one area can show up as pain somewhere else.
How it differs from massage
Both are hands-on, and they have different aims.
Pressure and time
Myofascial release uses slow, sustained pressure held until the tissue lets go. A massage glides and kneads.
Purpose
It is part of a physical therapy plan to restore movement. It sits beside the other manual therapy techniques our therapists use.
Trigger points and referred pain
Tight, tender knots (trigger points) can send pain to another area, which is why treating the knot can ease a pain that is felt elsewhere. Dry needling is another way to reach them.
What a session feels like
You lie or sit comfortably while your therapist holds a steady, deep pressure. It can feel like a stretch or a dull ache that eases as the tissue releases. You can ask your therapist to slow down at any time.
How it fits with exercise
Release without strength tends to wear off. After myofascial work your therapist builds in stretches and exercises so the new range stays. It often helps with neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
Related care
Myofascial Release care in the East Mountains
We see patients from Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras, Moriarty and the East Mountains.