Myofascial Release – gentle and effective pain relief therapy that targets long standing physical and emotional discomfort in your body’s fascial system.
Myofascial Release is a unique form of physical therapy. It treats not only the injury, but the body as a whole via the fascial system. A slow, gradual pressure allows the body’s tissue to reorganise without force, release physical restrictions and release the body’s unconscious holding and bracing patterns.
The technique is very different to that of massage. Its aim is to offer the patient a long term pain relief solution, instead of a quick fix. It provides pain relief for a wide range of conditions including postural pain, arthritis, repetitive strain injuries, fibromyalgia, and many more. It is a mild and gentle form of stretching, performed by the therapist that has a profound effect upon the body.
CLIENT PREPARATION BEFORE MFR TREATMENT AND WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AND AFTER THERAPY
The first session consists of history taking, postural and palpatory assessment to allow the therapist make a diagnosis. Subsequent sessions consist of a short reassessment and follow up treatment. Clients should benefit from each individual session. You will find however, that the benefits of treatment have a cumulative effect, and so, it is recommended that the client see through the myofascial release process and engage in a course of treatment.
Client preparation for treatment:
- the patient is treated in underwear or shorts and a bra top, and when lying on the table is covered by a towel.
What to expect during treatment:
- fascial work is done skin-on-skin using hands or elbows
- no oil or lotion is used
- Moderate to gentle pressure
- Time component – the therapist waits for the tissue to release signified by a yielding or softening of the tissue
- Treatment can be done in one or all of the following positions; standing, face down, face up and side lying
- Generally during sessions, the therapist and client should be patient, remain silent for the most part, and just try to focus on the area of the body where the therapist has his hands, acknowledging and working through any of the pain or sensations that the release brings up.
- The patient may be asked occasionally for feedback during the treatment and is free to halt or direct the therapist to an area of the body that needs attention at any stage.
The therapist follows patient feedback, visual and sensory responses
Treatment may evoke emotion during and after the session
Clients may be tender, stiff and or tired post-treatment
Below is an interesting excerpt from Dr Guimberteau’s film ‘Strolling under the skin’, which shows the nature of fascia in great detail.
