Physical Therapy: Myofascial Release Technique

Myofascial Release Technique

What is it?: A physical therapy technique that targets the soft connective tissue (myofascia) of irritated and inflamed muscle groups accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.

What does it treat?: Irritation of fascia or muscles results in local edema, when this edema becomes chronic the connective tissue thickens (fibrosis), which in turn causes more pain and swelling as well as a reflexive increase of muscle tension which completes the positive feedback loop of edema and somatic dysfunction. Ischemia, or restriction of the blood vessels is also a possible outcome if the edema is not treated.

How it's done: There are two common approaches to myofascial release: direct and indirect. The direct approach is essentially deep massage that directly attacks the restricted layers of myofascia and stretches them out. The indirect approach takes a more gentle and sustained stretching/massaging technique and applies it over time, stimulating blood flow and letting the fascia unwind itself.

Criticism:  John Barnes who is one of the most outspoken members in the field sounds like the Ultimate Warrior during his promos and one of those motivational speakers. He talks about "Ancient Warrior" speaking through him and how everyone is unique and the challenges we face. Of course JFB-MFR as his particular extreme view of the field is called claims they can stretch out repressed memories in the myofascia, help the verbal and intellectual functioning of autistic children, contacting the dead (!?), and treating past trauma occurred while in the womb as a fetus (!?) among other outlandish claims. Moreover, there has yet to be very much scientific evidence to prove myofascial release therapy actually works.

Verdict: It's new science but it seems to work. Getting repeatable evidence in the field of physical therapy seems to be difficult. Barnes is kind of a nutcase though.