What is myofascial release | What's the difference between myofascial release vs. massage

Are there any scientific studies to show that MFR has any positive effects? I find it very hard to believe.

What do you think about the fascial suction cups ?

Wow. SO way off. The myofascial system is continuous throughout the entire body, is 3D from our deepest to most superficial physical selves and while there are practitioners that might offer an approach where people are fully dressed and out in 10mins (???) - never heard of this by the way other than chiro and/or ART approach, there are many myofascial techniques and approaches that vary in state of dress, how long of a session and being able to address a wide variety of issues to create lasting change. (RMT of 24yrs specializing in myofascial release within my massage approach, who has seen amazing transformations over the years, utilizing a variety of myofascial approach techniques and varied treatment session lengths).

Gua sha and foam rollers work wonders on myofascial release

I’ve been dealing with myofascial pain for two years now. I recently saw a fascia massage therapist he worked on me for a couple hours but it didn’t seem to do much. Would you know why the treatment wouldn’t be working? Do you think I need more frequent and consistent treatment since I’ve been dealing with it for so long? Does the treatment not work for some people? Thanks.

Massage is a very beneficial therapeutic tool, please do not belittle it. There is a lot of work to be worked in the soft tissue in order to increase ROM. Your tone is dismissive to the whole aspect of massage and it is way more than just “lying down for an hour”, “half naked”!!!!! It sounds like you have done level of disdain or lack of respect for real massage therapists. Very sad….. typical but sad. Too many medical professionals dismiss things they don’t understand it gave the correct amount of respect toward. Be cognizant of your tone and how to speak about my profession. Please get rid of the idea that massage is just relaxation done in a dark room for an hour. That hour is a different type of therapy just like yours. Thank you.

First trick to fix myofascial problems of any type, no matter where it is/how much it hurts: hydration hydration hydration
Fascia is 70% water. Even a few percentage points drop will leave it prone to "gumming up" which causes stiffness and pain.

It is a false distinction to say myofascial is only done clothed and for a few minutes. I integrate myofascial massage into 60 minute and longer sessions which are usually done unclothed. And I flow between focused massage in specific areas relative to restrictions, issues individuals have and what they may need and want focused on, blending with whole body massage often as well. Pace being generally rather slow & atentively focused to support mental - emotional - nervous system deepening relaxation and release of excess gripping - tension, etc..

Can a myofascial release massage help heal an inguinal hernia?

I just watched this, annoyed the whole time, this is the worst description I have ever heard I don't know about other massage therapists, but I do both, I also am not opposed to using tools and let me tell you there are many that work well for fascial release, release of adhesions. Also doesn't hurt or make them sore afterwards. Maybe stick to what you know because this video just looks like your best guess at what someone else does.

Not quite sure this information is 100% correct. However, MFR is a really good technique. Although this information could be helpful, I would consider doing your homework as well.

Massage therapists do not "TRY" to loosen muscles. Please get off of your high horse. You may need a massage one day, should you fall down. There's no need to be throwing hate around

Sorry this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I can do 90 minutes of myofascial release on my clients and they have disrobed (fully draped). There is not one microsecond of “groping”. Muscle knots and trigger points are completely different. Knots are fascial adhesions that need to be worked with tools, pressure, cups etc. Trigger points are areas where nerves send signals to other satellite parts of the body, neurologically connected. You press on one area, you feel it somewhere else. Do not listen to this man. A good therapist who knows MFR will do their best to incorporate it into their session and anyone who’s groping you should be reported and fired. I’m shocked this man has any accreditation at all.

I went to this practitioner who said they specialized in myofacial release and everything she did was extremely painful I felt like she was just pushing on my pressure points and kept telling me "look how wrinkled that facia is!" But honestly I couldn't see a thing. Ended up extremely sore for days and had so much pain I had to take otc pain medication. I only went there twice and never again returned. I now go to a chiropractor and he's done miracles for my neck and back pain don't the same mistake i dod and go to thilese kinds of places, research well and perhaps get a massage and a visit to a good chiropractor.

I have fibromyalgia and I use Myofascial Release as part of my treatment. My sessions are definitely an hour long XD but that’s because all of my fascia is affected

So many words, so little information.

I'm wondering what kind of myofascial release can someone do in just 3 minutes over your clothes...

How do u say Mayofascial in Chinese or how to say the technique in Chinese. I use to go to a guy but he passed and I can't go ask his children. I would feel like an idiot.

As a massage therapist I have to say this is a very broad generalization of how we work. What you’re describing is wellness/spa massage. I feel like your attempting to discredit massage therapy.

“Myofascial release — change in the structure of connective tissue” …. Do you know if this can be reversed or go back to how it was prior? This fascia release was done to my face (mainly my chin area —“depressor” muscles) when it shouldn’t have been, and messed up my jawline and features. Wondering if there is anything I can do.

You may want to research massage a little more. True Thai massage and chinese massage are more fascia than you may think as they really impact pressure points of fascia.

Arrogant and misinformed about what massage therapists are trained to do. If you want to talk about MFR, then do it from your stand point as a chiropractor and stop dissing massage therapists. Videos like these are part of the problem. You need to stay in your lane!

I hope you're abetter chiropractor than massage critic. No offense but you are clueless. By the way I've been doing massage, mfr and all varities in between for over twenty two years.

Is this “safe” for people with COSTOCHONDRITIS?
My tight Fascial is in my intercostals, my scalene’s and my upper traps.
Doc thinks its due to Covid. PT thinks it’s due to posture and prolonged mental & emotional stress. PT only hits spots for maybe 5 minutes as they have other patients to see. Can I do Fascial release on myself?

At least after a shit pain release they flip ya over .

Just want to point out that you can incorporate myofascial release into a regular massage routine, you just have to inform your client that it is considered to be painful and also to remove any oils or lotions before performing the fascial techniques.

Still looking for a diagnosis after two years of different specialists and tests. Lower legs/feet both sides numb , tingling mixed with pain , upper legs burning, glutes difficult to sit for long periods, hips hurt too. (Feels like Charlie horse in legs and glutes at times) lose of balance slightly at times, weakness and pain to bend down and get back up .. one leg jiddery at times.
Just started myofaceal release on my own at home 2 days ago on my legs ..thinking I feel an improvement. Normally my pain is so sporadic it's difficult to say for sure.

Not a video that shows or describes what myofascial therapy looks like. Just a comparison and opinionated video.

Something only a chiropractor would say, to make professional massage therapists seem like they don't have a clue. Well, maybe you should learn what fascia really is, tell the people that it is where the neurons really are and explain how muscles are mechanical and only have motor nerves. All you do is adjust bones, week by week, routinely and have very little results, because your patients have to continuously need treatments. In reality, your treatments and issues are unresolved, therefore you and your patients can't claim success.
You sir, are far less superior than you believe. Registered or Licensed Massage Therapist know more about soft tissue, which is a higher percentage of the body than you work with.
Get off your high horse fascia isn't your field of expertise.

"Massage" is a very general term. You gave the impression that all massages are meant to be relaxing. A good clinical massage therapist isn't just going to try to relax you. Sure we know how to do a relaxing massage, but therapeutic massages is where we use every technique and concept in our arsenal to deal with the source of a problem and its not always going to feel "relaxing" when doing so. MFR is actually the first technique I learned when training to become a licensed massage therapist.

Thank you.

You remind my ex chiropractors.




Get the money, 5 minutes treatment and really looking forward for next visit.
First rip off the money then health.
I have read countless of comments that coroborate my views.

Myofascial release needs work on ALL thé body....not just one part! All Fascia is connected.

What was that in the thumbnail?

I am a CMT & I incorperate targeted MFR into a massage. In my experience these blended approaches are not uncommon. I think they are complimentary. Releasing fascial restrictions and then relaxing the body into the parasympathetic state of the nervous system is a very helpful technique.

Massage feels good..
Myfascial release hurts like hell

Fascia is what connects muscles to the bone.....

Use a 10 pound sand medicine ball to break it apart piece by piece I didn’t hurt my self at all no bruises I slowly broke my extreme body fascia adhesions that was killing me and made it impossible for me to get cracked or stretch this way of fixing your unaligned body should be the new way of how people help people with their suffering also bouncing on a ball helps but mostly bumping against the sand ball broke my extremely bad fascia adhesion that was keeping me stiff and out of place making me sick and tired and slowly killing me

I smack my hips against a 10 pound ball of sand and I saved my own life

Very well put. Thank you!

hello i'm doing a course as a sport massage therapist and i wonder what the advantages and disadvantages are in this treatment.

microfascial release with a ball literally saved me

Very helpful summary, thank you!

What a choice of words

I disagree on one thing that Myofascial release is mostly performed directly on the skin. It is not effective doing it over the clothes. You can not even feel or palpate the fascia and hold the specific insertion of muscle, tendons, musculocutaneous junctions to be stretched on fascia.

It’s incredibly helpful for those with chronic pelvic pain in conjunction with pelvic floor PT.

I went to a chiropractor locally that specialized in Myofascial release, had a treatment, and never went back for a second one, because the soreness afterward lasted for the better part of a WEEK. For the first 24-48 hours, there was ENROMOUS difference in my movement, I was able to up and down and stand up from a sitting position with more ease than I had in years, but it didn't last bu about 2 days, and the residual soreness lasted for 7.

Good explanation sir! Thank you!