Have you heard of Fascia? Fascia is one continuous structural tissue. It surrounds and interconnects our organs, blood vessels, nerves…. and MUSCLES!!!! It serves many purposes for our bodies. I'd like to talk about the effects of massage on fascial tissue known as myofascial release. It is important to understand that fascia surrounds every division of each muscle, starting with a single muscle fiber, then a muscle bundle. Several bundles make a muscle belly and each belly is wrapped and here you have your muscle. At the ends of the belly you have tendons and fascial tendons connect to bones, but only through Periosteum (fascial). Are you seeing a pattern? There is no break in fascia through out the entire body! Regarding muscles, fascia serves as a lubricant so muscles and tendons and joints can glide easily next to each other. Elastin, an element of fascia, allows muscles to stretch and always return to there original shape.
Some CURABLE bad news: As we get older we experience more varieties of physical trauma, emotional trauma, and dehydration. These things change fascia from a lubricant to an adhesive.
The good news and CURE: Myofascial release will release chronic and acute pain and increase range of motion!
Ouch that feels good!
I’m not going to lie, there is a degree of pain for someone receiving any myofascial release massage. But I promise you in this case the results are worth the pain. You will feel the tension release more with each stroke. I have heard from many of my clients that this is called “the good hurt”. Anything that causes your body to tighten up more or causes increased prolonged pain is “the bad hurt”. It is important for every individual to distinguish the two hurts for themselves.
I recommend a myofascial approach for the following conditions: Asthma, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, chronic or acute stiff neck, Fybromyalgia, low back pain, and general stress and tension. I'd love to talk to you more about Myofascial release if you are interested in receiving this treatment. Book a one hour or 90 minute session with me to try this treatment or discuss it further.
Written by: Taylor, Licensed Massage Therapist
More information on Taylor:
School attended: Massage Institute of New England
Year graduated: 2004
Start date at The Right Touch: October 2004
Specialties: Swedish massage, result based treatment, focus work on head, neck, shoulders, and hips.
