Myofascial Release

Source: www.terrarosa.com.au/define.htm

Myofascial Release principles:

• Fascia covers all organs of the body, muscle and fasciæ cannot be separated
• All muscle stretching is myofascial stretching.
• Myofascial stretching in one area of the body can be felt and will affect the other body areas.
• Release of myofascial restrictions can affect other body organs through a release of tension in the whole fascia system.
• Myofascial release techniques work even though the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood.
  

The indirect myofascial release techniques are as follows:

• With relaxed hand lightly contact the fascia.
• Slowly stretch the fascia until reaching a barrier/ restriction.
• Maintain a light pressure to stretch the barrier and wait for approximately 3-5 minutes.
• Prior to release, the therapist will feel a therapeutic pulse (e.g. heat).
• As the barrier releases, the hand will feel the motion and softening of the tissue.
• The key is sustained pressure over time.