Fascia is the connective tissue that holds your muscles, bones, and organs together. It’s everywhere in your body, and it’s naturally stretchy. Unfortunately, it’s also prone to pain.
Injuries, degenerative conditions, and other orthopedic issues can make your fascia tight. Tight fascia causes pain, stiffness, and loss of function, but the good news is that treatment can help.
At Cascade Orthopaedics, we offer orthopedic massage to support better healing. Myofascial release (MFR) therapy is a type of massage that targets tight fascia, alleviating pain and stiffness and improving flexibility and function.
Healthy myofascial tissue is elastic and pliable. It supports and stabilizes nearly every part of your body, allowing you to move freely and comfortably.
Unfortunately, fascia is susceptible to damage. Whether you suffered a sports injury or you have a degenerative condition like arthritis, damage can make your myofascial tissue shrink and tighten.
Tight fascia isn’t flexible. It restricts your mobility, and over time, it can lead to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Myofascial pain can develop almost anywhere in your body, including your:
The pain can occur in the same area as the tight myofascial tissue, but the location of your pain doesn’t always indicate the location of the tight tissue. Myofascial pain can radiate to other, unrelated parts of your body.
Tight myofascial tissue restricts flexibility and mobility. It’s often incredibly painful, and it can gradually steal your independence. But it doesn’t have to.
MFR therapy is a noninvasive treatment to identify areas of tightness and release them to relieve your pain. It can be an effective solution to restore flexibility, improve function, and help you recover from injury faster.
MFR therapy goes beyond a standard massage. Our Cascade Orthopaedics therapists are highly trained in MFR techniques to target pain and enhance overall well-being.
Your therapy begins with a comprehensive consultation. We review your symptoms and your medical history. We make note of any injuries and preexisting conditions you have, including myofascial pain syndrome. Then, your therapist begins your massage.
They feel your myofascial tissue to find areas that are tight or stiff. Once they identify the source of your pain, they use their hands or specialized massage tools to work the tissue and release the tension.
MFR therapy involves massaging and stretching your tight myofascial tissue. The process eliminates knots and painful trigger points, but it can feel intense and uncomfortable. Each MFR therapy session should last at least 50 minutes.
It’s normal to feel sore immediately after MFR therapy. Soreness fades within a few days, and you can expect to notice less stiffness, less pain, and increased range of motion afterward.
Your MFR therapy sessions are tailored to your body’s unique needs. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend a series of MFR sessions for maximum recovery.
Tight myofascial tissue restricts your mobility and causes pain. Find relief and feel better with MFR therapy at Cascade Orthopaedics. Call our office in Auburn or Bonney Lake, Washington, or request a consultation online to get started.