Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy used to treat deep muscular tension, somatic dysfunction, and pain by relaxing the fascia (the fibrous bands around muscles, ligaments, and tendons). The technique requires very firm pressure that stretches and elongates deep muscle tissue, increasing range of motion and circulation.
Myofascial Release vs. Massage
Massage involves stroking and kneading motions, usually administered with lubricants, making it easy for the therapist to slide their hands over the recipient’s skin. This is ideal for anyone with tension or tired muscles caused by exercise, sleeping in an odd position and just ordinary daily stresses. Massages usually last 30-60 minutes and can relieve muscle tension including the release of “knots” in the muscles. While people usually feel peaceful afterwards (although sometimes sore from the release of the muscle knots), it doesn’t typically address pain in the connective tissue.
Myofascial release applies sustained pressure on targeted areas of connective tissue (fascia) that surround your muscles and bones. This pressure is meant to release the restriction in the connective tissue so that you have greater range of motion and less pain. The physical therapist, who is trained in myofascial release, maintains pressure for three to five minutes at a time in the targeted area. Using steady pressure is the key. The fibers must be allowed sufficient time to soften and stretch. No lubricant is added to the skin so the therapist can locate and release the areas of connective tissue that are restricted.
Myofascial Release techniques have a wide range of potential benefits including (but not limited to):
Corrects muscle imbalances
Improves joint range of motion and overall flexibility
Can help alleviate headaches or symptoms of migraines
Reduced adhesion’s and scar tissue (from surgeries or injuries)
Relieves muscle soreness and joint stress
Promotion of healing are often part of the intent of the therapy including feeling more grounded and centered in your body; calms the nervous system
Decreased overall effects of stress
Better warm-ups for active individuals
Increased blood flow and tissue hydration
Myofascial Release therapy aims to address and support a variety of chronic pain conditions, and is usually repeated over several sessions for ongoing efficiency. Self-myofascial release techniques, such as with a foam roller may also be recommended which can be performed at home in order to help support the effects of the treatment.
How is myofascial release performed?
Myofascial release techniques (MFR) are designed to go in and smooth out those hard knots, returning the fascia to its normal fluid and adaptable self. In MFR, a gentle, sustained pressure is applied to points of restriction (those bunched up spots), allowing the connective tissue to release. Picture a stick of cold butter. If you jab your finger into it sharply, you’re just going to hurt your finger, and not even make a dent in the butter. But if you place your finger on the butter, and apply gentle pressure, you’ll find you’re able to slowly sink into the stick of butter, melting your way into it. This is essentially what is happening when an MFR therapist works on the body, or when one performs Self Myofascial Release (SMFR) with myofascial release tools such as rollers and balls.
Types of myofascial release
Myofascial release is typically categorized as either passive or active. Here is information on these two types and approaches to myofascial release:
1. Passive myofascial release: The passive form of myofascial release is where the therapist’s movements are guided by the patient’s body—the therapist is trained to find and identify tension in the patient’s fascia and observe how the patient’s body responds to treatment. This informs the therapist’s course of action, affecting where they stretch the patient’s fascia, how much pressure they apply, and for how long.
2. Active myofascial release: The active form of myofascial release involves the patient directed to contract and relax certain muscles under the guidance of the therapist.
A session may combine passive and active myofascial release techniques, or only use one approach.
By targeting specific areas of the fascial system, myofascial therapy can help prepare patients for more aggressive forms of strengthening, or provide pain relief for patients with restricted flexibility and movement, thus allowing patients to return to normal movement and greater function.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture,massage therapy and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
While some practices from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have shown some benefit in symptom relief for a variety of conditions, much of the evidence for the popular practice’s effectiveness is inconclusive, the NIH says. Even studies that show concrete benefits describe improvements on the margins – a shorter-duration cough, a less-runny nose. And these improvements can’t be ascribed wholly to TCM practices; most studies show only a positive correlation.
TCM, in general, is certainly important for symptom relief in the patients who experience positive effects from Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and other practices. When it comes to attacking the organism that causes disease, however, no evidence exists that any combination of herbs will cure COVID-19, or even lessen symptoms.
One paper submitted to the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine this year was speculative about the ability of TCM to prevent or treat COVID-19. The paper was based on other TCM studies from the 2003 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak and studies of its effectiveness against H1N1influenza.
A different analysis – one not using so many Chinese government data sources – of 90 different studies of the SARS epidemic showed some symptom relief on the margins for SARS patients who used TCM as an add-on to evidence-based protocols. These results were inconclusive, however.
“Positive effects using … herbal therapy included better control of fever, quicker clearance of chest infection, lesser consumption of steroids and other symptom relief,” states the paper in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine. “In a few reports, some evidence of immunological (boosting) was also found. More caution is required on the allegation about the efficacy of herbal medicine for the treatment or prevention of viral infection affecting the respiratory tract.”
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective for the treatment of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19).
The Beijing Health Commission notes that 87% of COVID-19 patients in Beijing received traditional Chinese medicine treatment (acupuncture and herbs). The commission documents that the total effective rate for patients receiving TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) treatment is 92%. [1]
Gao Xiaojun, spokesperson for the Beijing Health Commission, announced that Chinese medicine practitioners will determine Chinese medicine treatment plans for newly diagnosed, affected, severe, and critically ill COVID-19 patients. In a formal announcement, Gao Xiojun cited a brief history of one COVID-19 patient suffering from fever. Three TCM experts from Dongzhimen Hospital and Ditan Hospital formulated and administered a TCM treatment plan. By the next morning, the patient’s temperature dropped significantly to 37.2 degrees Celcius.
The spokesperson added that there are many similar cases and that Chinese medicine has “played an active role in improving the cure rate and reducing the mortality rate.” [2] The Beijing Health Commission has established city, district, and hospital level TCM expert groups to establish treatment protocols for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients.
BACKSTAGE PASS with Susan Bowlus, Co-owner at Urban Acupuncture Center
A backstage pass with our co-founder and co-owner Susan Bowlus, who discusses her cooking challenges at home and sings a song that shares hope for the future.
BACKSTAGE PASS – RITA GHODSIZADEH on benefits of moxibustion
Join us backstage as UAC acupuncturist Rita introduces us to her family and discusses the benefits of moxibustion.
BACKSTAGE PASS – AUTUMN SNAVELY on acupressure tips that can help you ease stress and anxiety
Contact Us
For more information about how acupuncture,massage therapy and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
Deep tissue massage is a hands-on massage technique designed to treat musculoskeletal concerns, such as muscle strains, sports-related injuries, and over-use injuries such as plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. Unlike some massage techniques that focus on a light, gentle touch, deep tissue massage involves the application of firm and sustained pressure targeting the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues. Depending on each patient’s specific health concerns, deep tissue massage can be a full body massage, or it can be used to focus on one specific problem area. And while deep tissue massage can be emotionally relaxing as well as physically restorative, the slow and deep strokes needed to get deep into the muscles can, at times, get a bit uncomfortable!
What are the Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage offers a number of significant benefits, primarily (although not solely) focused on maintaining muscular health. While some massage techniques are intended primarily for relaxation, deep tissue massage is intended to address problem areas and facilitate healing. Some specific physical benefits of deep tissue massage include:
Breaking up scar tissue following an injury
Reducing tension held deep within the muscles
Treating muscle pain
Improving muscle soreness and stiffness
Reducing inflammation
Promoting faster healing through increased blood flow
However, while the primary target of deep tissue massage is physical healing, it can—and often does—also offer psychological benefits; most patients also experience significant stress reduction and increased relaxation after a deep tissue massage!
How is Deep Tissue Massage Different from Swedish Massage?
Both deep tissue massage and Swedish massage utilize slow and sustained pressure to relieve tension in the muscular-skeletal system. However, they differ quite a bit in terms of the level of pressure involved and the intended result.
Swedish massage is much gentler than deep tissue massage, involving less tension and pressure on the muscles. It utilizes less intense pressure because the goal of Swedish massage, generally speaking, is to promote relaxation and address muscle tension caused by everyday activities. Therefore, Swedish massage is usually a full-body massage targeting the superficial muscle groups that generally “hold tension”, such as the neck, shoulders, and back.
Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, also utilizes the palms and fingers to knead and manipulate the muscles and connective tissue, but may also involve use of the elbows and forearms to get at the deeper layers of muscle. It is this deeper penetration that enables deep tissue massage to target muscle and tendon injury, scar tissue, pain and stiffness, and sports-related injury.
Like Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage will start with lighter, gentler strokes to warm up the muscles and connective tissue. Once the muscles have warmed and loosened, your licensed massage therapist will begin to use a deeper kneading, stroking, and pushing, with varying amounts of pressure, to really target problem areas. Because of deep tissue massage targets the underlying musculature, it’s not uncommon for you to experience some lingering soreness for a few days after the massage; this soreness can usually be relieved with a heating pad or cold pack on the tender area.
While deep tissue massage is generally considered to be a safe and (mostly) risk-free treatment, it is not appropriate for everyone. It is not appropriate for pregnant women or for anyone with osteoporosis or a bone-related cancer, as the pressure involved in deep tissue massage may be enough to cause a fracture in weakened bones. Deep tissue massage may also not be recommended for individuals with a clotting disorder to history of blood clots or are taking blood thinners or have a clotting disorder. It is always recommended that you speak with your medical practitioner before undergoing a deep tissue massage.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture,massage therapy and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
Massage involves stroking and kneading motions, usually administered with lubricants, making it easy for the therapist to slide their hands over the recipient’s skin. This is ideal for anyone with tension or tired muscles caused by exercise, sleeping in an odd position and just ordinary daily stresses. Massages usually last 30-60 minutes and can relieve muscle tension including the release of “knots” in the muscles. While people usually feel peaceful afterwards (although sometimes sore from the release of the muscle knots), it doesn’t typically address pain in the connective tissue.
While some practices from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have shown some benefit in symptom relief for a variety of conditions, much of the evidence for the popular practice’s effectiveness is inconclusive, the NIH says. Even studies that show concrete benefits describe improvements on the margins – a shorter-duration 
The Beijing Health Commission notes that 87% of COVID-19 patients in Beijing received traditional Chinese medicine treatment (acupuncture and herbs). The commission documents that the total effective rate for patients receiving TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) treatment is 92%. [1]
Deep tissue massage is a hands-on massage technique designed to treat musculoskeletal concerns, such as muscle strains, sports-related injuries, and over-use injuries such as plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. Unlike some massage techniques that focus on a light, gentle touch, deep tissue massage involves the application of firm and sustained pressure targeting the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues.