Myofascial Release (MFR) is a safe and very effective hands-on therapy that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. The time element is essential in this therapy and has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and surgical procedures can create Myofascial restrictions that produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures. These restrictions do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.) This enormous pressure acts like a “straightjacket” on muscles, nerves, blood vessels and produces symptoms of pain, headaches and restriction of motion.