Myofascial Release Therapy In Burnaby

Myofascial Release Therapy To Ease Your Pain

Myofascial release therapy – what is it and how does it work?

How Myofascial Release Works

What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Does myofascial release work?

“ Myo ” means muscles

“ Fascia ” refers to the connective tissue that surrounds muscle layers, bones, ligaments and organs. Your fascia forms the connective web-like network that supports and holds in place the internal structures of your body.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

For Hamstrings

For Plantar Fasciitis

For Sciatica Relief

What Is Myofascial Release Therapy?

Myofascial release therapy is a form of physical therapy usually done by physical therapists trained in this form of treatment. It involves identifying the involved muscles, the tight and contracted muscles bands, and manually working with this localized tissue to release and open up the contraction. An example of a myofascial release technique is trigger point therapy, which focuses on myofascial trigger point release.

Your physiotherapist may use their hands, elbows or a myofascial release tool to do this. Each of your muscle knots will be worked on as it takes time to release. Your physiotherapist will explain the process and inform you of what to expect during your sessions and afterwards

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What Are The Benefits Of Myofascial Release Therapy?

There are many myofascial release benefits. These can include:

Better endurance
Decrease tightness and sensitivity
Greater range of motion
Improve posture
Increase circulation
Muscle relaxation
Reduce pain

Myofascial release can be used to address many painful conditions such as:

Achilles tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Frozen shoulder
Hip flexor tightness
Neck and lower back pain
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Piriformis pain syndrome
Sciatica
Tennis elbow

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

In discussing myofascial therapy, another similar term is, “myofascial pain syndrome”. Myofascial pain syndrome is a general term often used to describe pain, sensitivity and tightness in your “myofascia”, or your muscles and related tissues.

Symptoms

Symptoms of myofascial pain can include local pain, tightness in your muscle, decreased flexibility and a reduced ability to do your usual activities. The affected muscle is often painful with light to moderate pressure and there is usually more than one area of the muscle involved. For instance, this is commonly found in our trapezius muscles, the muscles covering the top of your shoulders and extending down to your upper back.

When you have myofascial pain affecting your trapezius muscles, some of the symptoms you may notice include:

Forward head posture from tight muscles, pulling the back of your head down and lifting your shoulders
Headache
Migraine
Neck pain
Pain on the top of your shoulders
Reduce range of motion in your neck and shoulders
Shoulder pain
Tight, painful muscle knots on the top of your shoulders or between your shoulder blades

Is Myofascial Release Therapy Painful?

Myofascial release involves local treatment of your involved tissues that are already painful and sensitive to touch. Because of this, you may feel some slight pain during your session. This may be local pain or referred pain that follows the length of your muscles.

If there is tightness around the nerve supplying the muscle, you may also feel some tingling and numbness. However, this is usually temporary and typically eases as you get better.

Feedback

It is important that you let your physiotherapist know what and how you feel. There is often another treatment option if the intensity is too much. This is not a sign of weakness but rather being in tune with what your body needs at any given moment. Your therapeutic session may not always follow textbook protocol but will rather be adapted to your individual need.

pain relief with myofascial release therapy

The Risks And Side Effects Of Myofacial Release Therapy

Myofacial release side effects are rare and is generally very safe. It is effective for many of the musculoskeletal conditions mentioned above. While there are no significant myofascial release dangers, a different treatment may be a better option if you the following:

Currently taking blood thinner medication
Deep vein thrombosis
Fracture or weak bones
Previous burn wound or radiation therapy – avoid myofascial release on the involved area
Severe osteoporosis

Trying Myofascial Release At Home

For a self myofascial release example, consider myofascial pain involving the trapezius muscle. Many approaches can be done with simple items found around your home without having to buy any special myofascial release tools. Here are steps on how to do myofascial release at home:

Put a myofascial release ball or a tennis ball in a sock
Stand with your back leaning on a wall
Hold the top of the sock and put the ball behind your back, near the top of your shoulder
Gently lean onto the ball
Move the ball up or down along your muscles until you find a tender spot near the top of your shoulder or further down your back
Once you have found a spot, gently press into the knot by leaning on it for 30 – 60 seconds
Avoid putting the ball on a boney spot or leaning too heavily on the ball
Release the pressure and move the ball to the next spot and repeat

Other self myofascial release techniques you can try include stretching and self massage.

Assess

If the symptoms in your neck and shoulders feel better after finishing the above steps, then you can repeat daily. However, if your symptoms have not improved or are worse you should visit your physiotherapist.

Get help

Sometimes the area needs some more direct hands on therapy before a home treatment program is effective. Or perhaps you thought it was myofascial pain but instead it was caused by something else and so myofascial release therapy was not the ideal treatment.

Your physiotherapist will be able to provide you with the right information to help get you on track

Patient Review

Kogo

…applied techniques to alleviate various spots of muscle tension, and gave advice on which exercise solutions to apply to my various ailments. It is clear that she cares about her patients, she listens to them & she does her best to connect with them in a professional manner.

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Relieve Your Pain With Myofascial Release Therapy

Ease pain with myofascial release therapy by scheduling an appointment with your physiotherapist today