Myofascial Release, or MFR, is very precise and is meant to address specific areas of pain, abnormal movements or health issues. Massage is focused on mental and physical relaxation or tension relief. Both are great additions to your overall health protocols, so let’s dive in and learn more about massage versus myofascial release.
Massage Put Simply
A massage highlights numerous techniques in the name of therapy, relaxation, or tension relief. Whether it’s deep tissue, pre-natal or hot stone, each type of massage serves a distinct purpose. And all of them are great. However, put simply, massage is generally aimed at soothing sore and overworked muscles and relaxing the nervous system. By using various strokes, pressing, rubbing and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments, massage is a great tool for stress reduction and pain relief. And is thankfully becoming a part of integrative medicine.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is very precise and meant to address specific areas of pain or abnormal movements providing longer term relief and resolution of the core issue creating the discomfort. Instead of just massaging into the muscles, MFR uses gentle, sustained pressure for a minimum 3 to 5 minutes and sometimes even longer (10-20 minutes) to enable softening of tissue. During a session the client will note that the therapist doesn’t work just the area of pain but works other areas that are contributing to the problem. MFR is a great modality that goes beyond muscular tissue, impacting the fascia.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a thin, yet strong connective tissue that wraps around and intertwines literally every organ, muscle, bone, tendon, ligament, joint, and nerve; even down to the smallest of fibers within them. It is a very complex network of tissue weaving its way throughout every aspect of the body, acting as a shock absorber and glue to hold it all together. Because of this intricate weave, a problem within the fascia of one area can affect many other areas of the body. This can be quite complex. For example, an issue in the fascia of your foot may impact your back.
How Fascia Impacts Our Wellbeing
When the fascia surrounding a muscle becomes tense, the muscle can no longer fully function because it’s being constricted by this sleeve of connective tissue. Add inflammation or an injury or even just daily tension of trying to accommodate discomfort, and the fascia begins to pull on that intricate network of fibers in your body.
Think about the band of fascia that wraps around the upper shoulder and is damaged or restricted in some way. Due to inflammation, an injury, or just from keeping your shoulders up to your ears every day when you’re stressed, this tension within the fascia begins to pull on that intricate network of fibers, causing abnormal movement within the jaw.
Myofascial Release Therapy Session
During a session, you may notice that the therapist won’t only work on the area of pain. Your myofascial release therapist will also focus on other areas that may be the origin of the problem. As the fascia releases, the nervous system relaxes, and the muscle loosens, many people describe a warm, melting sensation. It really is an incredible technique that works beyond just the muscular tissue, to address the root cause of so many issues.
Additional Differences
MFR doesn’t use lotions, creams, or oils during a therapy session and having clothing on does not reduce the effectiveness of this type of treatment. Patients are encouraged to wear loose-fitting shorts and a lightweight top if you would feel more comfortable. For women, a bikini top or sports bra is acceptable as well. However, some clothing may make it difficult to provide treatment. Yoga pants, for instance, prevent sustained pressure on the muscle do to the slickness of the fabric and being too snug on the body.
When deciding between massage versus myofascial therapy remember that one is focused on temporary relaxation, while the other is intended to provide long-term health improvement and both are excellent additions to your overall health program.
