Myofascial Release
The human body is interwoven with a web-like structure of connective tissue called “fascia”. It is interwoven throughout your body. This fascial system serves as a protective layer surrounding your muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, and organs. It allows motion by helping each part of your musculoskeletal system slide smoothly, and it enables these systems to communicate with each other.
Any problems with your fascial system will have a wide-reaching effect. Fascia can become distorted, tighten up and become rigid, or form adhesions (buildup similar to scar tissue). All of which can cause chronic pain or a reduced range of motion. Damage to your fascia can cause a wide variety of other symptoms. These are frequently misdiagnosed or attributed to other causes. Many chronic pain patients may be suffering from distorted or adhesed fascia.
Such distortion or adhesion can be caused by several factors, including:
- Dehydration
- Trauma or Injury
- Surgery
- Stress
- Poor Posture
- Repetitive Motion
- Low activity/sedentary lifestyle
The good news is that damaged fascia can often be returned to its normal state with proper treatment. (Myofascial release is a critical aspect of this treatment approach). This type of repair—and subsequent maintenance—requires a comprehensive approach. It can include daily stretching, diet and physical therapy.
Myofascial release, sometimes referred to as MFR, is a therapeutic practice that works to correct these problems within your fascia. MFR can significantly reduce or even eliminate your painful symptoms. It focuses specifically on fascia, which responds differently to treatment than muscles and joints and therefore requires a different approach.
MFR is a hands-on treatment approach designed to alleviate symptoms caused by damaged, distorted, or adhesed fascia within the body. Treatment involves a variety of techniques such as sustained pressure, assisted stretching, visceral manipulation, and guided postural correction. While some of these treatments are like those used in massage and chiropractic therapy, the specific methodology is subtly different. Fascia is designed to withstand enormous amounts of pressure—up to 2,000psi—so MFR techniques have been specifically designed to use slower, more sustained pressure in order to affect this incredibly strong tissue.
When done correctly myofascial release allows tightened fascia to gradually loosen, releasing the intense pressure exerted on your system and reducing pain and stiffness. Some patients may experience an improvement with one session, however for most, a treatment plan involving several sessions and varied techniques will be required to achieve real results.
There are many benefits to myofascial release:
- MFR is, by nature, a holistic, “whole-body” approach that takes in the big picture of the patient’s overall health.
- MFR doesn’t involve pharmaceutical medication that can cause side effects.
- Because it uses slow, sustained pressure it is very low risk and low impact, making it suitable for all ages.
- Most importantly, however, MFR can often succeed in alleviating chronic pain symptoms when every other treatment attempt has failed.
Cranial Release Technique
The Cranial Release Technique, or CRT, works with the fascial covering surrounding the brain called the Dura Mater, which is Latin for ‘Tough Mother’. This covering extends far beyond the cranium, though. It transitions into the spinal cord, called the Dural Tube and then into the myelin sheath which surrounds every nerve in the body. When there is a perceived threat to the brain, the Dura Mater will tighten to protect the brain from being jostled or thrown against the inside of the cranium. Sometimes this fascia will remain tight long after the perceived threat has passed.
This tension puts a significant amount of pressure on the bones of the head and spine and can cause headaches, cranial distortion, spinal compression and even prolong the symptoms of concussion. CRT works to soften the Dura Mater at the occiput, found on the back of the head. Exerting gentle pressure at specific points, called the nuchal line, CRT encourages the release of fascia at this suture line of the cranium. By releasing this pressure, CRT can alleviate the painful symptoms of head trauma.
Head trauma isn’t always violent, like an auto accident or a sporting injury. Sometimes it can be a simple bump on the cabinet door in the kitchen or stepping off a curb and misjudging the depth. Both of these actions seem innocuous but can trigger the dura mater into protection mode! Over time, the fascia will continue to tighten, fulfilling its role as the ‘Tough Mother’, holding on to and protecting its precious child, the brain.
CRT is very gentle and can be performed on young children or the elderly. While gentle, it is highly effective for anyone experiencing chronic misalignment of the spine or headaches.