WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY?

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) is a safe, gentle, and highly effective therapy for treating pain. MFR first treats your symptoms to bring you relief, but then seeks to find and release the cause of your pain, which might be in a different location in the body. Maybe you had a recent injury or surgery (or had one long ago), perhaps stress is impacting your body, or it could be that you have had a trauma or painful diagnosis. The effects of these experiences can cause restrictions in your fascial system, which in turn negatively affect other systems of the body.

In MFR, the therapist works in partnership with the client to determine where there are restrictions in the fascial system. We will start with where you currently feel pain or tightness, and go from there. Using specific techniques, the therapist will apply sustained, continuous pressure for at least five minutes to safely and gently release the fascial restrictions and allow the body’s systems to work efficiently again. Decreased pain, increased range of motion, and longer relief are just a few of the many benefits that clients experience from their treatment session.

Myofascial Release Therapy approaches every client individually. Your pain might have the same label or diagnosis as another person, but the cause of your pain is likely very different. This illustration below shows four figures that all say “My back is killing me…” The fascial restrictions causing their pain (shown in the different colors) are in a different part of the body for each individual. The same treatment approach would not help each person, yet this is often how healthcare works.

Illustration by Rob at www.jamesrivermfr.com

WHAT AN MFR TREATMENT SESSION IS LIKE

First and foremost, MFR treatment sessions are individualized. The therapist will genuinely listen to you, ask questions to better understand, and communicate throughout the session. You are an active participant during your treatment.

Prior to your session, you’ll fill out a health intake form and share your treatment goals. If you’d like to talk with Heather prior to making an appointment, you are welcome to do so here.

During the treatment session, your therapist will work to release your fascial restrictions as discussed above. The most effective treatment occurs when there is a partnership between the therapist and client. The therapist will encourage you to share where you experience referred sensations, or describe what you are feeling during the treatment. MFR does not use lotions or oils, and is different than massage. Please visit the FAQ page to learn ways to make your treatments more effective.

After the treatment session, the therapist can answer any questions that you might have, explain ways to improve your treatment at home, and book your next appointment.