What is Myofascial Release Therapy?

Myofascial release therapy (MFR) was developed by John F. Barnes, PT to specifically address the fascia, the connective tissue that runs like a three-dimensional web throughout the body. MFR involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Three main components, structural releases, unwinding, and rebounding combined with an awareness or energy to enable the patient to break through physical and emotional restrictions.

By going slowly and waiting for the body’s natural rhythm, the fascia responds to your therapist’s skilled touch by elongating, rehydrating, and reorganizing. MFR opens space for fluid and energy movement, facilitating greater circulation and communication—allowing the body to heal.

Fascia

Fascia is a combination of elastin fibers, collagen fibers, and a gelatinous fluid called ground substance. This matrix surrounds each muscle cell, each muscle fibril, each muscle fiber, and each muscle. Fascia actually surrounds every nerve, each organ, and every bone as well. It wraps around the brain and the spinal cord, forming the dura. When it dehydrates, fascia becomes like glue. It not only loses its mobility, but it also can exert force on underlying structures—up to 2,000 lbs. per square inch! This tension can create pain when this fascial force is applied directly into pain-sensitive structures. The tension can also reduce range of motion in joints, cause muscle pain when muscles have to work against tight fascia, and can even cause bizarre, seemingly unrelated symptoms when fascia entraps nerves.

Additionally, fascia is tightly integrated into the autonomic nervous system. It is particularly effective at contracting throughout the entire body when the nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode, all in the interest of keeping us safe. But with repeated traumas and injuries throughout life, chronic activation of the fight-or-flight mode leaves the fascia in a constricted, tense, dehydrated state, which leads to more injury, pain, and dysfunction.

Fascial Web

Fascia runs through the body in a web. Traditional Therapy will often address muscles and their insertions and origins. Fascia can form longer lines of tension such as those running from your right shoulder to the left hip. Restrictions in the fascial web can cause strange referred pain and discomfort. For example, tension in the left quadriceps could refer discomfort into the left side of your diaphragm. Additionally, dysfunction in your lower spine can easily cause headaches. Therefore, myofascial release does not simply treat your symptoms. We assess the body for myofascial restrictions and work with you to relieve the restriction.

MFR Techniques

Myofascial Release is a hands-on treatment performed on the skin with no oils or creams. The gentle tension between the therapist’s hands and the patient’s skin is what allows access to the fascia in a way that the gliding effect of traditional massage cannot achieve. MFR incorporates many new types of body manipulation to improve movement and function. For example, one technique to relieve restrictions in the lower back is a cross-hand technique, with one hand on the crest of the hip and the other on the lower ribs. Your therapist’s hands will sink into the fascia and then move away from one another without sliding on the skin. Sustained, gentle force allows the fascia to release in a slow, non-linear manner. The release will allow the therapist to then follow the body’s cues to the next area. MFR does not simply treat your symptoms.It allows us to work together to find the spiral of restrictions causing your pain.

Learn More

There is much more information at myofascialrelease.com. If you live outside the Pacific Northwest and would like to find a therapist close to you, there is an international directory of therapists trained by John Barnes at mfrtherapists.com.

This video is a great introduction and illustration of MFR: