You might have heard someone talking about fascia and connective tissues – ever wonder what they were talking about?
Fascia is another name for the fibrous connective tissues that you have all over your body. There are three main types of fascia; superficial fascia which is mostly found in the skin, deep fascia which surrounds your muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels; and visceral fascia which is mostly associated with the internal organs. For massage purposes, we’re dealing with your deep fascia – the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles and muscle groups.
What does muscle fascia do?
It’s the connective tissue that helps to separate individual muscles within their groups so that they can work independently, and it provides a lubricated surface which allows the muscles to move smoothly against each other. If you’re inactive, because of a sedentary lifestyle or illness, your muscle fascia can start to stick together, stopping your muscles moving freely and giving you a tight, stiff feeling. In some cases, this can also limit your mobility.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a specialized type of massage therapy that can help to free up stiff fascia and reduce tension or restriction. In this type of massage, therapists feel and stretch slowly down into the tissues, all the time feeling for a glue-like texture which means there’s a ‘sticky’ fascia. It’s not the same technique as you’ll get in an everyday muscle based massage. It’s a very precise massage technique that involves using a gentle yet direct pressure for five to eight minutes.
The massage should give your fascia a chance to return to its normal resting length which will feel better, ease pain or stiffness and boost muscle health.
Who benefits from fascial massage?
If you have issues with your posture, this type of therapy could be useful. If the fascial tissue is holding your body in the wrong position, your muscles will struggle to keep you in the correct alignment. A combination of bad posture and gravity lead to extra stresses on your body that can sometimes be relieved with fascial therapy. If you have scar tissue from previous injuries, fascial massage might relieve some of the discomfort. In scar tissue, the tissue is laid down in a random pattern, which can cause it to pull on the surrounding tissue. Using fascial therapy may help to release pain and stiffness caused by scar tissue dysfunction.
Athletes dealing with muscle strain, lack of flexibility or pain could also benefit from this type of therapy. Fascial therapy can help to increase athletes’ range of motion and decrease pain, making training a whole lot easier.
You are in good hands at living well, I include myofascial release in your massage whenever I feel restriction.
Fascia is another name for the fibrous connective tissues that you have all over your body. There are three main types of fascia; superficial fascia which is mostly found in the skin, deep fascia which surrounds your muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels; and visceral fascia which is mostly associated with the internal organs. For massage purposes, we’re dealing with your deep fascia – the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles and muscle groups.
What does muscle fascia do?
It’s the connective tissue that helps to separate individual muscles within their groups so that they can work independently, and it provides a lubricated surface which allows the muscles to move smoothly against each other. If you’re inactive, because of a sedentary lifestyle or illness, your muscle fascia can start to stick together, stopping your muscles moving freely and giving you a tight, stiff feeling. In some cases, this can also limit your mobility.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a specialized type of massage therapy that can help to free up stiff fascia and reduce tension or restriction. In this type of massage, therapists feel and stretch slowly down into the tissues, all the time feeling for a glue-like texture which means there’s a ‘sticky’ fascia. It’s not the same technique as you’ll get in an everyday muscle based massage. It’s a very precise massage technique that involves using a gentle yet direct pressure for five to eight minutes.
The massage should give your fascia a chance to return to its normal resting length which will feel better, ease pain or stiffness and boost muscle health.
Who benefits from fascial massage?
If you have issues with your posture, this type of therapy could be useful. If the fascial tissue is holding your body in the wrong position, your muscles will struggle to keep you in the correct alignment. A combination of bad posture and gravity lead to extra stresses on your body that can sometimes be relieved with fascial therapy. If you have scar tissue from previous injuries, fascial massage might relieve some of the discomfort. In scar tissue, the tissue is laid down in a random pattern, which can cause it to pull on the surrounding tissue. Using fascial therapy may help to release pain and stiffness caused by scar tissue dysfunction.
Athletes dealing with muscle strain, lack of flexibility or pain could also benefit from this type of therapy. Fascial therapy can help to increase athletes’ range of motion and decrease pain, making training a whole lot easier.
You are in good hands at living well, I include myofascial release in your massage whenever I feel restriction.