Myofascial Release For Eliminating Pain and Restoring movement.
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Myofascial release is stretching of the fascia, the thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body.
This tissue covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia surrounding it become short and tight exerting 2000 pounds per square inch.
When we are stretching a muscle is actually stretching the fascia and the muscle, the myofascial unit. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn’t expect.
Myofascial release treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia. Feedback from the body tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch, and how long to stretch.
Only small areas of muscle are stretched at a time. Sometimes the therapist uses only two fingers to stretch a small part of a muscle. Feedback that the therapist receives determines which muscles are stretched and in what order.
Myofascial release is not a massage: no machines, instruments, lotions, or oils are used. Although many other professionals like chiropractors, massage therapists, and osteopaths claim to practice myofascial release, what they do is not the same. Myofascial release is a hands-on technique where highly skilled and experienced physical /occupational therapists use their hands with very gentle pressure to cause the release of tension in afflicted muscles to relieve pain.
Myofascial pain is caused by muscular discomfort, and our myofascial release treatments can help you if you have this condition.
One of our physical or occupational therapists in Carbondale , IL will gladly meet with you to discuss how myofascial release might help you!
Conditions myofascial release may help improve
When muscles become constricted or tight, causing pain and movement restrictions, these conditions can have a significant impact on your mobility.
Myofascial release can provide pain relief for a wide range of injuries and diseases. This pain-relieving technique helps to reverse this by freeing up the constricted muscles, allowing for quicker movement without discomfort.
Many conditions can be treated with myofascial release. Some of the most common ones are:
Venous insufficiency
Myofascial release can help reduce the amount of blood pooled in the veins and allow for more effective blood flow, reducing vein pain.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is swelling due to build-up of lymph fluid in the body. Lymph nodes act like a drain in your sink. If the drain is clogged, the fluid cannot drain. It usually happens in the arms or legs, but can occur in other parts of the body.Along with traditional lymphedema management myofascial release helps reduce swelling,control skin changes and reduce pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome
This is the most common condition treated with myofascial release, and it can affect a wide range of your muscles.
Your myofascial pain’s “trigger points” are identified and massaged away.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may benefit from myofascial release therapy, which involves massaging the muscles in their hands, wrists, and/or arms to improve function and mobility.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Myofascial release is used to massage the muscles around the jaw in many patients with temporomandibular joint disorder.
This reduces pain and inflammation while also increasing jaw mobility.
Fibromyalgia
This condition can also cause stiffness in multiple muscles.
The affected areas will be determined and then treated.
Complex regional pain syndrome (RSD)
RSD is an older term used to describe one form of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Both RSD and CRPS are chronic conditions characterized by severe burning pain, most often affecting one of the extremities (arms, legs, hands, or feet). There are often pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling and extreme sensitivity to touch, known as allodynia. Myofascial release is the most gentle form of therapy known to help reduce symptoms considerably.
Tension headaches/Migraines
Myofascial release has also been known to relieve the pain of chronic tension headaches and migraines by massaging the tightened muscles around the head and neck.
Sports Injury
Sports injuries such as sprains and strains can also cause muscle stiffness.
The affected area will be massaged to loosen up the muscles and allow for a quicker healing process.
Ourphysical therapists are well-versed in the myofascial release technique. They have a thorough understanding of which pressure points to target to restore the fascia to its normal elastic state.
If you have been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed above, or another condition that you think could benefit from myofascial release, contact our physical and occupational therapy office in Carbondale , IL today.
Call our clinic today for more information
Your life shouldn’t be dictated by pain, loss of motion, tight, stiff muscles. With myofascial release treatment, they don’t have to!
At Synergy Therapeutic Group, we are dedicated to providing the best quality treatment for your individual needs. Request an appointment at our physical therapy clinic in Carbondale , IL today for relief.
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Common Questions
What is myofascial release?
Gentle, sustained pressure on the fascia — the connective tissue that wraps every muscle, bone, and organ. When fascia gets restricted (from injury, surgery, posture, stress), it pulls on everything connected to it, often causing pain far from the actual restriction. We release those restrictions with patient, low-force technique.
How long does myofascial release take to work?
Many patients feel a difference in the first session — looser tissue, less pain, better movement. Lasting change usually requires 4–8 sessions because fascia takes time to remodel. Chronic restrictions held for years take longer than acute issues. We measure progress at every visit so you can see what is shifting.
Can I do myofascial release at home with a foam roller?
Yes — foam rolling is self-myofascial release. It works for general tightness and is great as maintenance between sessions. What a foam roller cannot do is access deep restrictions, layered patterns, or areas with bone and nerve nearby. That is where a trained clinician hands matter.