Myofascial Release Technique
Myofascial Release is a soft tissue treatment aimed at breaking up myofascial adhesions (scar tissue). Myofascial Release is not the same as getting a massage. There are very specific protocols aimed to maximize the effectiveness of this treatment for any muscle in the body. We are experts in locating the problem areas where adhesions have formed, and at treating these adhesions.
Why do I have scar tissue?
Myofascial adhesions form as a result of injury to soft tissues (muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia). The injury can be traumatic (eg. ankle sprain) or cumulative (eg. patellofemoral knee pain in cyclists) in nature. When soft tissues are injured, the body lays down a patch (scar). Much like a scab on the skin, it does the job, but it is not nearly as supple and flexible as the regular tissue. The amount of scar/adhesions one may have in a specific area depends on how severely and how many times the tissue has been injured.
What’s the big deal? My body made the scar, isn’t it supposed to be there?
Yes and no. It’s a good thing that the body can patch itself up, otherwise muscle strains might never heal. However, muscles are elastic, much like big high-strength rubber bands. Scar tissue is more like a dried up rubber band that has been left on the dashboard of your car in hot the sun.
The presence of scar tissue in a muscle does 3 things:
- Decrease overall muscle elasticity
- Reduce optimum muscle firing
- Predispose the muscle to future re-injury/tearing
Myofascial Release will break up scar tissue in the muscle, accomplishing 3 things:
- Increase tissue elasticity
- Optimize muscle recruitment/firing
- Reduce risk of re-injury to the area
