Myofascial Release

Myofascial stretching relies entirely upon the feedback received by the therapist through the patient's tissues. The appropriateness of the treatment is transmitted through the sensation of touch. As the therapist responds to the feedback from the patient, the direction of stretch, amount of force and the duration of stretch are altered, revealing restrictions in soft tissues that would never have been addressed when using other stretching techniques. By responding to subtle changes that occur in the tissue tension during myofascial stretching, the therapist is able to work with the patient, not on the patient. 

Fascia is divided into three layers. The first layer contains fat, nerve endings and blood vessels. The second layer is a potential space which can become enlarged with swelling, suggesting the fascia can be disrupted by injury. The third layer is deep and envelopes organs of the body. The fibres of fascia run in various directions which allows accommodation to changes in muscle bulk and stretching. Fascia shrinks when it is inflamed and is slow to heal because of a poor blood supply. It is also a focus of pain because of its rich nerve supply. 

Myofascial release leads to postural and alignment changes. The ultimate goal is optimal body alignment which allows for the most efficient use of energy for daily tasks. The essence of myofascial release is such that the area to be stretched is palpated to determine the area of restriction. Then, the tissues are stretched gently along the direction of the muscle fibres until a resistance to further stretch is felt. The position is held until the soft tissues relax or release. The slack is taken up by further stretching and the process is repeated until the tissues are fully elongated.