Myofascial Release Technique

Myofascial release technique (MFR) is one of the gentle types of massage therapy that can provide you with great health benefits. MFR can be intergrated with other types of massage or can provide a complete treatment on its own.

Fascia is a thin connective tissue that surrounds your muscles and organs. You can think of it as an uninterrupted web. It helps hold muscles and organs in place and helps them hold their shape. Fascia gives a lot of support to your body and when it's bound up it can cause dysfunction. Because it's uninterrupted, if one section of your fascia is bound up it pulls on the rest of the fascia causing pain and dysfunction in organs and muscles.

Myofascial release technique loosens bound areas of fascia by gently stretching them. The therapist does this by applying pressure and traction to the skin. When the releases are performed on you, you'll usually feel a stretching senstion on your skin like a genle tug. Somtimes the area will itch. Sometimes it will tingle or even feel like a burn. These sensations all let you know that more blood is getting to the area.

MFR was brought into the forefront of bodywork by John T. Barnes. Barnes is a massage therapist and physical therapist who teaches MFR techniques to therapists around the world.

MFR can be used to treat these conditions:

• chronic pain
• back pain
• neck pain
• whiplash
• fibromyalgia
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• vertigo
• headaches
• TMJ disorders
• plantar fasciitis
• thoracic outlet syndrome

When you get MFR you'll lay on a massge table partially clothed. No oil or lotion is used during this type of massage because the therapist needs to be able to get traction on your skin. You'll be asked to move around for this therapy. You'll sometimes be asked to sit on the table or stand.