Myofascial release therapy was developed by John F. Barnes, PT to specifically address the fascia, the connective tissue that runs like a three-dimensional web throughout the body. MFR involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into restricted areas to eliminate pain and to stretch and loosen the fascia with the goal being to restore motion.
No oils or creams are used. The gentle tension between the therapist’s hands and the patient’s skin is what allows access to the fascia in a way that the gliding effect of traditional massage cannot achieve.
Traditional Therapy will often address muscles and their attachment points. Fascia can form longer lines of tension such as those running from your right shoulder to the left hip. Restrictions in the fascial web due to stress, trauma, and disease cause less blood flow to the area which can cause referred pain and discomfort. The MFR techniques can increase circulation, oxygen, relaxation, flexibility, and elasticity to help ease this pain.
I find that this technique works well with trigger point therapy, joint movement, and breathwork, so a longer session is more beneficial as this work needs to be done at a slow pace.
Some conditions MFR can help with:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic/Acute Stiff Neck
- Tension/Stress
- Joint Stiffness
- Low Back Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – if not acute
- Headaches and TMJ
- Frozen Shoulder
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Shin Splints
These are only some of the MFR indications.
90 minute MFR session: $100
