What Is Myofascial Release Therapy?: Sometimes referred to as fascia therapy, myofascial release, or myofascial trigger point therapy, myofascial release therapy (MFR) is a massage technique in which therapists use manual pressure and stretching, often using just the fingertips, to release tension from your fascia.
Developed and popularised by physical therapist (PT) John Barnes, who is considered the leading authority on Myofascial Release, Barnes has been treating patients since 1960 after he graduated with his PT degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
This technique can form the whole of your treatment, or it can be used as an initial technique before other types of massage therapy, or alongside complementary and wellbeing therapies such as acupuncture or physical therapy.
Fascia refers to the layers of connective tissue that sit just below the surface of the skin and is a three-dimensional web that permeates the whole body. Myofascial Release is the practice of working with this tissue to ease pain, stiffness, lack of mobility and some forms of chronic pain & illness.
Many massage therapists offer myofascial release therapy, and it can be used to treat a wide range of complaints, including
- loss of function or flexibility after an injury
- soft tissue strains or injuries
- temporomandibular joint pain
- anxiety & depression
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- mindfulness
- migraines
- chronic pain & illness
- back and neck pain