Myofascial release massage is a soft tissue treatment of skeletal muscle pain and immobility. Myofascial release involves applying gentle pressure to connective tissue and fascia. Fascia is a structure of connective tissues that surround muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. In healthy conditions, fascia tissue is relaxed and wavy in configuration. The fascial system can provide cushioning support so that movement is increased and without pain. A myofascial release technique helps to detect restrictions and can facilitate the release of the fascia. Injury, surgery, poor posture, or inflammation of tissues can create myofascial restrictions that produce pressure and pain upon sensitive structures
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. Localizing pain to a specific trigger point is very difficult. For that reason, myofascial release is often used over a broad area of muscle and tissue rather than at single points.
