Myofascial release

Myofascial Release is a type of physical therapy often used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder caused by sensitivity and tightness in your myofascial tissues. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body.

Overview

The pain usually originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called "trigger points". Myofascial release focuses on reducing pain by easing the tension and tightness in the trigger points. It's not always easy to understand what trigger point is responsible for the pain. Pain can originate from trigger points far away from your actual pain.

Treatment

During myofascial release therapy, the therapist locates myofascial areas that feel stiff and fixed instead of elastic and movable under light manual pressure. These areas, though not always near what feels like the source of pain, are thought to restrict muscle and joint movements, contributing to widespread muscle pain.

The focused manual pressure and stretching used in myofascial release therapy loosen up restricted movement, leading indirectly to reduced pain. Patients may be treated with myofascial release therapy after losing flexibility or function following an injury or if experiencing ongoing back, shoulder, hip, or virtually pain in any area containing soft tissue.

Benefits

Myofascial release therapy can be beneficial for various conditions and illnesses, including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or possibly fibromyalgia or migraine headaches.

See Also

• Physical Therapy
• Trigger Points
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine