MFR Basics

Myofascial Release is generally an extremely gentle sustained pressure and gentle form of
stretching that has a profound effect upon the body tissues.

       Myofascial Therapists also teach the patient stretching exercises to help them maintain their health.
•Treatment consists of strokes and stretching called unwinding, which helps the Therapist find specific areas of trauma called still points.
•Explain the treatment to the client.
•Myofascial release is an osteopathic term coined by Dr. Robert Ward.
•John F. Barnes is Physical Therapist and the biggest teacher of Myofascial Release today.
•Myofascial release is also called connective tissue.
•When scars harden in one area, it can put tension on that area and areas far away.
•The stretch must be given with sufficient sweep.
•The area needs to be contracted painlessly without putting any strain on the area worked.

Finding fascial restrictions
•The client must be placed in a comfortable position.
• Before you stretch the fascia, you must stretch and relax the skin.
•Use skin rolling or Petrissage techniques to test the fascia.
•Go both directions to find the most restrictive area.
•If the fascia seems to be flexible, move to another area.

Starting the stretch
•At first the elastic component of the fascia will release, and at some point in time the collagenous barrier will be engaged. This barrier cannot be forced (it is too strong). One waits with gentle pressure, and as the collagenous aspect releases, the Therapist follows the motion of the tissue, barrier upon barrier until freedom is felt.
•Muscles must be kept relaxed while being stretched.
•Slower is better.
•No oil is to be used.
•The Therapist’s hands and the client’s skin must move as one (If you slide on the client’s skin, you are performing it wrong).
•Let your hands sink into the client’s body.
•The stretch must reach deep enough, but do not force it (Pressure only finds the tender area and it does not replace the stretch).
•Your hands will move during the treatment, because the fascia is relaxing.
•Hold a myofascial technique on an average of 90 seconds; some people say 2-5 minutes and others say once you feel a release.
•Push the fascia into a problem joint if there is a problem near a joint.
•If the client notices any tingling or numbness, go to another area.
•Do not tense up when holding the technique.
•You can work all the layers of the fascia, but warm-up each layer first.
•Relax the area after completing a myofascial technique.
•It is harder to do myofascial when the client has cloths on, but it is possible.
•Myofascial is used more for specific treatment areas.
•Myofascial can be painful at times and let the client know the negative parts to it.
•Tell the client to drink a lot of water after the treatment.
•The purpose of myofascial release is to stabilize and relax the fascia.