Myofascial Release

About Myofascial Release

Myofascial release (MFR) is a technique pioneered in the 1980s to address fixations with our fascial system. Fascia is the connective tissue that integrates all parts of the body together. It’s found as large as the web just below the skin, all the way down to the micro as it invests itself around singular muscle fibers or wraps around the bone.

Although we now know that manual therapy does not “release” the fascia, we do know this style of bodywork is extremely effective in helping people relieve pain, increase performance, and improve posture. The narrative has changed from a mechanical “fascial release” perspective to a more nuanced and complicated interaction with the nervous system. By stimulating different aspects of the nervous system with MFR techniques, the person receiving is able to modulate their own internal structure and begin to allow change to occur endogenously (from within).

MFR is traditionally done without lotion or oil and includes slower and longer holds of the skin and outer layer of fascia to allow them to slowly “release” and restructure. These holds could be in small isolated areas or involve long tractions of stretches of entire parts of the body.