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What Is Myofascial Release?
What Is Myofascial Release? Read on for more information, and watch this informative video to learn how you can get pain relief at home.
My dog is curled up next to me on the sofa, slightly whimpering. He hurt his front shoulder three days ago. He has gotten better, but started running after squirrels – there’s no stopping him – and so hurt it again. He rejects my hand that is massaging it, as it scares him – the touch brings attention to the area that hurts, even though it will relieve it.
People also avoid seeking therapy for pain, especially under stressful times as we are in now. Patients who can benefit from physical therapy often want a quick fix – a few exercises, medication, even minor surgery to relieve the discomfort. People also think they don’t need physical therapy, as long as they can walk or do their usual daily activities. Physical therapy is warranted if you cant do what you usually do because of limitations from pain or injury. If a dancer can’t perform because of a foot injury, if headaches hamper your ability to concentrate, if back pain stops a parent from lifting their child, if a new mom has trouble nursing – there are many ways physical therapy can help. And as long as there’s no emergency situation, you can try physical therapy first.
A doctor’s prescription isn’t necessary for evaluation or treatment, though a doctor’s referral may be needed after evaluation for some insurances. Insurance usually covers a good portion of the fees, depending on your company or plan. During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, insurance companies are paying for telemedicine visits for physical therapy, which is a new development.
Being free of physical pain and restrictions can give you the physical, emotional, and mental freedom and focus you may be struggling to find, especially now as we are all under more stress. Something else that is relatively new and a vital part of our health and well-being is the discovery of fascia – a four-dimensional spiderweb-like connective tissue that is within us, from the skin on our fingers to the deepest density of bone. That means that when something is injured or overworked or out of alignment, it is as if there is a thread that is pulled, which can twist and distort the whole web. The cells within the twist in the web are squeezed, and therefore signal pain. That creates inflammation, and a sticky gel-like substance makes the fibers stick together, forming sore, knotted tight bands of tissue.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is one of the many manual methods physical therapists use to unwind the knotted restrictions in myofascial connective tissue.
While we can’t do the actual manual therapy for you during COVID-19 restrictions, we can teach you how to work on it yourselves with a video session – and there are many things to learn. Patients who are using video sessions are getting relief, and learning how to care for themselves at home, feeling better and able to stay active with family, friends, work and fun.
