Medical Massage or
Myofascial Release

Gentle chiropractic adjustments
Schedule an Appointment

What is myofascial release massage therapy?

This chiropractic treatment provides sustained, gentle pressure to the myofascial connective tissue restrictions in your body to provide pain relief and restore motion. Stiff, immobile areas in the soft tissue are known as trigger points.

These trigger points can restrict muscle and joint movement and contribute to widespread pain. A myofascial massage loosens up muscles and reduces pain. Trigger points in your soft tissue can be caused by:
Trauma square 900

Trauma

Image

Inflammation

Surgery square 900

Surgery

Fascia square 900

What is fascia?

Fascia is a sort of gauze-like matrix of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, nerves, and organs in a web of fibrous collagen. This connective tissue provides support to your organs, blood vessels, muscles, bones, arteries, and veins. It also plays a crucial role in the health and function of your body.

Healthy fascia is relaxed and can stretch and move without restrictions. After your body experiences physical trauma, scarring, inflammation, and repetitive motion damage, the fascia tightens and loses range of motion.

Because the fascia is a continuous structure in your body, trauma to one area can cause dysfunction or pain in another.

How does myofascial release work?

Myofascial pain can occur due to the following:
 
  • Skeletal muscle or connective tissues are bound down by tight fascia
  • Trigger points appear where muscle fibers contract
  • Restrictions or contractions inhibit blood flow to bodily structures, resulting in pain

A doctor of chiropractic locates the areas that feel stiff and fixed rather than elastic and movable. Myofascial release works by stretching and loosening the fascia to relieve pain from trigger points and restore motion. This is done by applying gentle pressure or a low-load stretch to the affected area.

Chiropractors measure the progress of myofascial release by the level of increased motion or function and the decreased pain felt by the patient. This treatment is often combined with other chiropractic techniques like acupuncture or spinal manipulation to achieve the desired results.

How does medical massage differ
from a spa massage?

There are various types of massage, but the difference mostly comes down to the objective and the practitioner. A spa treatment is performed mainly for relaxation and generally utilizes Swedish massage. A deep tissue massage is more focused on muscle healing and is closer to the technique used by a medical massage therapist.

Terms like sports massage, therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, and medical massage can generally be grouped together as treatments that may include myofascial release therapy depending on the practitioner.
Neck massage square 900

Benefits of a
medical massage

Almost any type of pain diagnosis can potentially benefit from massage therapy and myofascial release.
 
  • Chronic pain or illness
  • Headaches and tension from stress
  • Athletic injuries or strains

Massage and spinal manipulation are both treatments used by chiropractors that are encouraged by the American College of Physicians to be used as the first approach to treating pain. By trying these non-pharmaceutical options, we can possibly reduce the need for many patients to seek opioid treatment.

Like all chiropractic techniques, myofascial release is a safe, drug-free, and non-invasive treatment option for pain management. This type of medical massage can promote healing and can be relaxing and stress-relieving.
Repeat chiropractor 2 900

Who offers myofascial
release techniques?

Chiropractors are not the only professionals using massage treatment for pain relief.
 
  • Physical therapists
  • Licensed massage therapists
  • Osteopathic physicians
  • Sports medicine specialists

Generally, the practitioner should have specific knowledge and training regarding myofascial release therapy to be effective when offering this technique.
Back massage square 900

What conditions can be treated with myofascial release?

We use this medical massage technique to treat a variety of conditions.
 
  • Low back pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder and arm pain
  • And more

Schedule an adjustment

If you are looking for pain relief or improved wellness, we are ready to see you for a chiropractic adjustment. A doctor of chiropractic will conduct a physical exam and medical history before determining the chiropractic treatment that is right for you.

Schedule your consultation today and discover why so many people trust a chiropractor with their body.
Schedule an Appointment