Myofascial Release Massage

Myofascial Release means release of bodywide muscles, with special attention to releasing the fascia surrounding it. Both muscles and fascia contracts, but fascial tissue will remain contracted for long amounts of time in many cases.  That is why interventions like Myofascial Release can help people recover from trauma long after the person has suffered from it.  It is deep tissue massage combined with a lot of stretching techniques. Luckily, the structure of this tissue makes it possible to make therapeutic changes to the body after trauma has happened, sometimes years later. Physical and emotional trauma, aging, sickness, accidents, bad postural habits cause tissue to become shortened and very rigid.  At this point the fascia becomes an adhesive in the body. The deep therapeutic application of  Myofascial Release Massage will help to return this tissue to a healthier state.  

It may be a surprise to learn that 40% of muscle is fascial tissue and that it is throughout the entire body without any breaks.  Myofascial Massage will address all the muscles groups, tissue and joints spanning the painful areas, and the therapist will usually have to address other parts of the body as well, since fascia is continuous and becomes tight throughout the body.  This work is done slowly, with any eye to easing into the strokes comfortably for the client.  

Every muscle group will be released including the chest, diaphragm and ribs for optimal breathing, with an abdominal release. Legs, arms, feet, back, neck, hips and glutes will be addresses as needed.  By working all the tissue which constricts movement, it will allow the muscles and tissue within the areas of pain “space and freedom” to release and relax.  Think of someone with kyphosis (or hunchback), with curvation of the spine. The front of the body would be worked first to allow the back of the body some space to relax, and then the back of the body would be addressed.

More time will be spent on the areas for each client’s specific needs, as the therapist and client will discuss these needs in detail. Sometimes there may be a need for continuing treatment.  As always in massage, if there is a contraindication for deep treatment, this will be discussed.  This massage will always be combined with Swedish massage to promote relaxation as well as addressing tight and painful areas.  

As with other deep tissue massage, many things can be helped by Myofascial Release.  Here are some of the things that can be addressed:  

Chronic/acute stiff neck
Headaches
Fibromyalgia
General stress & tension
Low back pain
Exaggerated kyphosis
Joint mobilization
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Asthma and chronic shallow breathing
Frozen shoulder
Rotator cuff injuries
Whiplash
Shinsplints
Regaining range & ease of motion after orthopedic surgery
Pronator Teres Syndrome
Brachial Plexus Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Deb Schultz is a Licensed, Certified Massage Therapist who graduated from Salter College in West Boylston, MA in 2006.  In her love of therapeutic work, Deb is studying orthopedic massage with James Waslaski in addition to having taken Myofascial Release.  Orthopedic massage can help people with chronic and challenging pain issues and injuries.  Deb is getting good results and prefers to send her clients home with individualized self care stretches and strengthening techniques. More advanced-level therapeutic classes are on the horizon for the upcoming year.  Other treatments include Swedish Massage and Hot Stone treatments for relaxation; in the next year, she looks forward to adding body wrap treatments for her sessions.