Myofascial Massage, also termed Myofascial Release Massage, involves long, firm directional strokes aimed at softening and releasing the connection tissue, or fascia, that surrounds all the structures of the body.
This thin, elastic membrane, called fascia, has a very high tensile strength. When an injury or trauma occurs, or as a result of postural distortion, the fascia can become twisted, adhered, contracted and rigid, pulling the structure out of alignment, restricting movement, entrapping nerves, and contributing to pain and dysfunction. By releasing the fascia, proper balance, alignment and function can be restored.
Myofascial Massage is more akin to massage than Myofascial Release, as taught by John Barnes, PT, which does not involve any massage. John Barnes’ work involves pinning both the origin and insertion of a muscle, applying pressure that stretches the muscle between its origin and insertion, and then waiting for the tissue to lengthen. The Myofascial Release Massage involved applying a “directional force” to the fascia. This is done with the hands, forearms, elbow, thumbs, and fingers, sinking deeply into the tissue, and then sliding so that a stretch of the fascia occurs.
