Myofascial Release

What Is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release Minneapolis

Myofascial Release is the melting, stretching, spreading & manipulation of connective tissue (called fascia). This frees areas of restriction and congestion *creating space* within body which reduces pain, improves mobility & restores natural movement. Creating space in the tissue allows the body to automatically start realigning posture.  Ahh doesn't that sound wonderful? Our Myofascial Release in St Paul, MN is a little different than traditional. MFR. Please read on to learn more:

massage picture
What is fascia?

Fascia is webbed all throughout the body and connects literally everything to everything. It's the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. (thin white sheath that covers and connects all muscles and their fibers.  think: the white webbing in a steak when you pull it apart). Fascia can become restricted due to overuse, lack of movement/inactivity, postural issues or disease, all of which lead to pain, muscle tension, and diminished blood flow.

The school of thought behind myofascial release massages is very different from traditional clinical massages like deep tissue; while deep tissue targets inconsistencies in the muscle fibers themselves, myofascial release targets abnormal pressure placed on the fascial network, creating adhesions or winding of fascial in an unnatural direction, resulting in adaptive tissue restrictions on the body’s ability to move.

In other words, muscles don’t get tight or knotted, it is actually the fascia (that covers and connects the muscles) becoming adhered/congested then causing abnormal pressure and dysfunction in the body… when the fascia is released (pulled, stretched and opened through MFR) the muscle automatically releases as well.

Why Myofascial Release?

To put it simply: It works!  Increasing space and mobility and restores balance between the body and gravity.  Our Myofascial Release enables the body’s self-correcting mechanisms to alleviate symptoms and restore proper functioning.

Individuals that don’t benefit from deep tissue may want to try the myofascial route. Applied Pressure is the seamless combo of myofascial release and deep tissue all in one satisfying session. Our Applied Pressure program located St Paul, MN focuses heavily on Connective tissue unwinding, creating space throughout tissue, rather than simply massing inward like traditional deep tissue massage. W can use deep pressure to create this space tho, like if we need to carve spacebetwen mslsad bone and muscle and muscle ad muscle and skin. so we are more intense (and effective) than traditional myofascial release as well. Dena, the Founder of Applied Pressure, was trained under a roller and much of her continuing education is rooted in Rolfing, but she is even more intense and insistent with the tissue than most Rolfers.

An anatomical illustration of the myofascial
Dena performing a cupping massage to release the myofascial tissue in Minneapolis
Humor for understanding fascia:

"I’m not well known, but I’m everywhere.
I cover your body, support in mid air.
One day I am smooth, at night I grow fuzz.
Years ago no one knew what I was.
Surrounding every muscle, every organ, every cell
I allow every structure, every position, every movement as well
No beginning or end, one continuous sheath
When you bump your shoulder I can hurt your feet
Most people don’t think of me, but I am profound
Per square inch I exert 2000 pounds!"
– Dena pretending to be Fascia, circa 2011

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