What is Myofascial Release (MFR), exactly?

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a safe and effective technique to eliminate pain and restore motion where trauma, stress, poor posture, inflammatory responses, or surgical procedures have created restriction within the body.

When left untreated, fascia restrictions can cause a variety of symptoms producing pain, reducing motion, and inhibiting our daily activities.

This modality uses hands-on, sustained therapeutic pressure releasing the myofascial tissue that surrounds and supports most structures in the body results in relief, restoring motion, and enhanced flexibility.

The typical medical solution is to drug patients so they are free from pain, but does nothing about the “straight-jacket” of pressure that is causing the pain.

Traditional physical, occupational and massage therapy treats the symptoms caused by the pressure of the restrictions of the myofascial system, but does nothing for the fascia itself.

This is why so many patients only have temporary relief. Only Myofascial Release treats the entire Myofascial mind and body complex.

Myofascial Release will safely and gently release the entire myofascial complex for lasting results and facilitating real healing.

Why Will MFR help when nothing else has?

Here’s the thing: most medical treatments aim to cover up symptoms with medication or temporary relief.

Massage, chiropractic, or physical therapy often focus on surface-level tension, but they don’t always address the deeper cause of your pain: a restricted fascial system.

That’s why so many people feel better for a day or two, only to end up right back where they started.

MFR is different. It doesn’t just chase symptoms it treats the root problem by releasing the full myofascial system, mind and body. This is how we get long-lasting results instead of short-term fixes.

Is it like a “regular” massage?

Not really. MFR is slow, sustained pressure, no lotion, no rubbing, and you keep most of your clothes on.

It’s not about giving you a fluff and buff for an hour, putting you to sleep and making you feel refreshed after. It’s about getting your body to actually work better.

That said, my clients often say it’s more relaxing than any massage they have had…

Does Myofascial Release hurt?

Nothing that I do causes pain or injury, it’s one of the safest modalities you’ll ever find.

If I’m causing pain, I’m doing something wrong. MFR works with the body, not against it.

That said, sometimes to get releases, your body might feel discomfort in areas that I am not working. But that is simply your body trying to release the trauma/tension and we can always stop and reset if it gets too uncomfortable.

In a “typical” session, you may feel tingling, numbness, heat or cold, all of the above or sensations you can’t describe. But nothing painful or forceful.

What should I wear to my MFR Session?

Preferably (If your female, cause my guys get a little goofy) a sports bra and shorts. But if you don’t own a sports bra and you don’t want to go out and buy one before your first session, a LOOSE t-shirt or tank top will work great! Just make sure the t-shirt also has a loose neck hole.

If you’re a dude, shorts will work just fine, yes… you can leave the sports bra at home. You can thank me later!

When doing MFR, I work directly with on the skin so it gives me a better feel for what the fascia is doing and needs.

I do not use traditional massage draping when I work, so having sports bra and shorts allows me to have access to the areas we need worked without fighting with extra clothing or sheets.

How many sessions will I need?

That depends. Chronic issues or injuries may need several sessions to unravel and heal, while newer problems may resolve quickly.

We’ll talk about goals and adjust as needed. I want to give you plenty of time to work out the kinks, however, I also don’t want you to be dependent on me. My goal is to get you where you are pain free or you can manage it at home and finish the healing process yourself.

What kind of problems does MFR help with?

Pain with no clear cause (imaging is clear, no damage/trauma or accidents). Failed surgeries. Sciatica. Mystery foot pain. TMJ. Menstrual Issues, Headaches. Poor posture. Emotional tension. Back Pain. Digestive Issues.

Basically, if your body feels stuck, MFR might help get it loose again.

Can I do other therapies while doing MFR?

Of course! However, depending on what is going on and what you are doing currently or have done, I may ask that you give me a couple of weeks of just MFR.

That way we can see exactly what kind of results you will get. Plus, it will help cut down on costs of other modalities that may not be working for you anyway.

But yes! Chiropractic, PT, Acupuncture, it’s all encouraged! Just make sure to let me know what’s going on so I can adjust accordingly if we need to.

What exactly is fascia?

My Nerds!! If you’re here, let’s nerd out together…

Fascia is this ooey, gooey, tissue that’s… honestly, the best I can think to compare it to is Jell-o.

It hold structure, it will retract to it’s original shape when stretched or stressed, it’s just not AS solid as Jell-o.

If you have cooked chicken, you know that thin white to clear tissue that is sometimes found on chicken breasts? Or the tissue found when you peel the skin away from the chicken?

That is fascia.

It surrounds and is intertwined with EVERYTHING. Bones, muscles, organs, nerves, all the things. It’s what carries signals all through our body, holds all our emotions, holds all our traumas and injuries.

It’s an amazing system that does so many things in our body.

But it’s also why muscles can stay chronically tight, when the fascia doesn’t get help. It’s why chiropractic adjustments don’t hold for as long as they should. It’s why endometriosis can be such a pain. It’s why one day your neck hurts and the next it’s your knee.

It’s there to protect your body, but it also can overreact a bit and cause other issues 20 years later.