Myofascial Release: The Foundation to Healing

I was the typical deep tissue massage therapist for the longest time elbowing my way through my clients’ back while they grit and clench through the pain. It was a great business because the pain always came back, my clients never fully healed. And honestly, I never asked why the pain always returned… Until I took my first John F Barnes Myofascial Release seminar.

In that seminar, I was introduced to fascia for the first time. I was introduced to a new way of seeing the body and, ultimately, a new way of healing the body. John said, “there is no such thing as a muscle”. Mind blown!... WHAT? There is no such thing as a muscle? He uses Janet Travell’s statement, “every muscle of the body is surrounded by a smooth fascial sheath, every muscular fascicle is surrounded by fascia, every fibril is surrounded by fascia, and every microfibril down to the cellular level is surrounded by fascia. Therefore, it is the fascia that determines the length and function of its muscular component” to make his argument. Working within this idea, myofascial release therapists see the body as an integrated system where one area effects the other. This is much different than the current way other therapists work, just treat the symptom.

I had a client presenting with shoulder pain. I worked the area of his symptoms, but I also treated his abdomen, pelvis, neck, and chest. When he returned a week later for his 2nd treatment he told me had been skeptical because I barely touched the area that was painful, but he had left that day feeling 50% better. He only needed that 2nd treatment and some at-home stretches to be fully relieved of pain.

With fascia covering the muscles, bones, nerves, organs… everything down to the cellular level it has many functions. Fascia separates, supports, connects, and protects everything. It is also the primary communication system for the body.

Imagine a soaked sponge. It is pliable, filled with water, slides smoothly over surfaces. Healthy fascia has the same characteristics. Now imagine a dry sponge. It is hard, without water, smaller, and rough as it goes over surfaces. This is what happens to fascia when it becomes restricted from trauma, poor posture, inflammation, chronic stress, or unexpressed emotions. A restriction binds down on the surrounding structures affecting all the functions we mentioned earlier in a negative manner. Like a dam blocking the flow of water, a fascial restriction blocks the body’s ability move and communicate optimally.

Myofascial Release therapists apply sustained pressure into the fascial system to remove the fascial restriction relieving pain, improving motion, and enhancing function. No other technique can reach and affect the fascial system however they are a nice additional treatment once MFR has been applied. This sustained pressure a therapist uses allows the fascia to rehydrate and become fluid again returning the body to structural balance, healthy movement and cellular communication. It may also tap into something deeper in the sub-conscious, a belief or emotion that is no longer relevant, and may be hindering the healing process. Myofascial Release offers the opportunity for change and improvement and gives space for self-discovery.

It allows the therapist to treat the whole person physically, emotionally, and intellectually.