Myofascial Release:
Liberation from Muscular Shackles
Age, sedentary work, significant physical exertion, genetic influences, stress, and anxiety – all gradually but surely constrict muscle fibers, leading to future health conditions.
But one yearns to move freely, without pain or constraints, to easily reach the floor with their hands, and relieve shoulders of the burden of tightness. These
may seem trivial, but the feeling of being flexible and strong fills one with energy and surprisingly enhances cognitive productivity.
Don’t rush to take painkillers! We offer to discover the key to better well-being – myofascial release. What is it, what makes it unique, and what are its specifics? Read on to find out more.
Myofascial Release Therapy
as a Powerful Pain Relief Method
Myofascial release… Sounds obscure, yet no less intriguing. Don’t think it’s just another trend in wellness or someone’s desire to make money off suffering clients.
So, what is a myofascial release? Let’s go through it all step by step.
- "Myo" means muscle in Greek. It's a cluster of muscle tissues, the sequential contraction and relaxation of which compel the body to move.
- "Fascia" (myofascial tissue) is a connective tissue that surrounds and supports organs, muscles, tendons, and other tissues. The flexibility of muscles depends on the flexibility of the fascia.
- "Release" – a word of English etymology denoting relaxation, a release technique from "tightness".
Therefore, myofascial release is a physiotherapeutic technique and type of manual therapy used to treat pain and dysfunction, focusing on muscle and fascial relaxation and stretching. As a result, pain in different parts of the body diminishes, the range of motion improves, and overall efficiency increases.

Cases Where Myofascial Release Therapy is Needed
Therapy may be beneficial for individuals who do not have serious complaints about their condition but seek both physical and mental relief. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the wonders of myofascial release due to their specific medical records. To avoid inadvertently harming oneself, it is important to know in which cases release will be effective and in which cases it is an undesirable form of therapy.
- Myofascial pain, spasms
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Early stages of scoliosis, lordosis, and other posture disorders
- Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Vertebrogenic muscle-tonic syndrome
- Stress disorders
- Sleep problems
- Cellulite
- Cancer and other oncological diseases
- Acute traumas and open wounds
- Varicose veins, venous and arterial thrombosis
- Hemophilia and other blood clotting problems
- Infections
- Hyperplasia
- Hypertension and hypotension
- Pregnancy
- Weak immune system due to colds
Before fascial interventions, it is advisable to consult with your doctor and the therapist to avoid unpleasant “surprises” during therapy
Important! Myofascial release indeed helps with anxiety disorders and serious psychoemotional stresses. However, the human body is particularly vulnerable in such moments, partly because of significant nerve endings tension. Therefore, unpleasant sensations may occur during the release.
So, this manual therapy is not a panacea. Sometimes, combining release with physiotherapy or medical treatment is a good option.
How Myofascial Release Works,
or What Are "Elusive" Trigger Points
Fascia contains structural proteins: collagen and elastin. The former forms a framework, while the latter provides flexibility. Thanks to these proteins, fascia realizes all its properties, meaning that growth and recovery processes are impossible without them. Thus, when a person performs any movement, they do not feel discomfort because a special fluid (where proteins and water are in a 50/50 ratio) lubricates organs and facilitates their sliding.
However, if the body is dehydrated or there is inflammation or injury, adhesions form at that site, and layers of fascia begin to stick together. This leads to a feeling of stiffness, significantly limits mobility, and can cause pain. Therefore, movements become a real challenge for the person.
Myofascial release therapy is an effective way to address (or prevent) this problem. The therapist’s manual intervention on trigger points in the body promotes their relaxation and, as a result, may help reduce painful sensations. That’s the whole mechanism of myofascial release work. The only thing left is to understand trigger points.
Trigger points are stiff areas of muscles, also called hyper-sensitive soft nodules or knots, which are painful upon palpation or due to overuse, trauma, stress, or chronic pain conditions.
Trigger points can be:
- Primary: pain is felt in case of regular muscle overload.
- Latent: pain is felt only upon palpation.
- Active: pain is often or even constantly felt during movement.
- Associative: pain is felt when the trigger point is irritated.
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Features of Trigger
Points Localization
Trigger points are not always located where you feel pain. When pressing on them, myofascial pain may radiate to other body parts. Therefore, there are difficulties in performing release without the help of specialists. After all, during the release process, it is important to find the trigger point and related muscle tensions.
For example, you feel back pain. The trigger point may be in the front part of the shoulder’s deltoid muscle, and the pain may radiate to the collarbone. Thus, muscle tension goes from the shoulder to the collarbone. Therefore, a myofascial release specialist will press not only on the trigger point on the shoulder but also on muscle compressions in the collarbone area.

Fascial interventions with proper pressure on trigger points contribute to:
- Improving fascia flexibility and muscle relaxation, which are in a state of spasm or tension.
- Improving blood flow in muscles and fascia by facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
- Reducing inflammation in muscles and fascia, which improves protective and motor functions.
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Main Types of Myofascial Release
Myofascial release therapy is a simple and effective way to improve the quality of life for people of all ages, levels of physical fitness, and more. If you are interested in this, it’s worth knowing about two directions of release.
- Direct Myofascial Release Technique
It involves manual manipulation of muscles and fascia. Therefore, the therapist identifies painful areas (trigger points) and uses various techniques for relaxation, such as:
- Direct gentle pressure on the point for several seconds.
- Stretching muscles containing trigger point.
- Circular movements throughout your body to massage the point.
- Cupping therapy
- Indirect Myofascial Release Technique
This technique involves the use of special tools for fascia release:
- Roller massager is a myofascial release massager in the form of long cylinders with a unique ribbed pattern, which, under the human body's weight, relax tense muscles and increase the mobility of muscle and joint.
- Balls made of solid foam material EPP. Thanks to this, they are very light and elastic. Suitable for targeted impact, and the smaller the size of the ball, the greater the depth of impact.
- Double balls: essentially, these are 2 ordinary balls doubled on one side. Useful for massaging parallel muscles along the spine or in the upper part of the thighs.
Using these tools, you can fully realize the potential of myofascial release techniques.

- Rules Necessary for Successful Myofascial Massage
Myofascial release therapy can be performed independently or with the help of a qualified therapist. If you prefer a self-myofascial massage, be careful and consistent. Myofascial massage is a safe and effective method, but there are still some things to know:
- The massage time for the trigger point area should be from 30 seconds to a maximum of 2 minutes.
- If the therapist's actions lead to pain, sharp, "shooting" pain, you should immediately stop, take a break, and either change the exercise or body position.
- The intensity of rolling is low, slow enough, with monitoring of your sensations.
- Focus on breathing during the process. Ideally, it should be even, calm, and deep.
- Do not start massage movements directly from the trigger point. First, go throughout your entire body, then around the point, gradually approaching the inflamed area.
Is Myofascial Massage Worth Your Attention?
Well, the answer to this question depends on many factors, e.g., doctor’s recommendations, your medical history, inner setting, and desire. But let’s think together. Be honest with yourself and give a few answers:
- Do you suffer from myofascial pain in muscles?
- Have you felt stiffness or range of motion limitations?
- Can you describe yourself as someone who thinks three times before making an extra move?
So, is myofascial release massage worth it? We think so. Turn to “Massage Bliss and Bodywork” and say goodbye to annoying pain!
Myofascial release therapy is the best way to relax muscles and relieve tension.
FAQ
The result will be more effective if the frequency of therapy sessions is 2 times per week and the duration is at least an hour.
Some discomfort during the massage is normal. However, it should not be too intense and sharp. If you feel this, be sure to inform the specialist or stop the exercise if it is self myofascial release.
Therapy technique is not allowed in the first trimester, it is possible, but only with the recommendation and under the supervision of a doctor to provide the release in some specific areas only.