Myofascial Release (MFR) is a highly specialized stretching technique used by physiotherapist to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems. MFR is stretching of the fascia. The stretch is guided by feedback the therapist feels from the patient's body. This feedback tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch. Hence MFR requires intense one-to-one treatment time. Progress is measured by a decrease in the patient's pain, improved joint motion and by an improvement in overall posture.

To understand what Myofascial Release is and why it works, you have to understand a little about fascia. Fascia is a thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body. This tissue covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. This causes nerves and muscles compression and produces pain. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn't expect. MFR stretching is actually stretching of the fascia and the muscle, the myofascial unit. MFR is to equalize muscle tension throughout the body.

Myofascial Release is highly effective in treating patients with the following diagnosis:

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* Trigger Points and tender points cause different types of pain. For example, a Trigger Point in the neck muscles can cause headaches, the sensation of your throat closing or eye pain. Pressure on a Trigger Point causes increased pain at the site and radiating pain in other apparently unrelated parts of the body. Pressure on a tender point causes increased pain only at the tender point itself.

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