Myofascial Release Therapy

The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® 

In order to describe this type of manual therapy, it is necessary to first provide a definition of fascia. Fascia is the tough connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a three-dimensional web without interruption. It envelops every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, organ, and cell of the body. It is made up of collagen and elastin fibers and a gel-like ground substance that solidifies as a result of poor posture, inflammation, and bodily injury or trauma.

It serves many important functions. First, fascia is responsible for permitting the body to retain its normal shape and maintain the vital organs in their correct positions. Second, fascia can absorb shock and healthily disperse it throughout the body. Third, it fills a nutritive function by serving as a transport medium for other tissues, blood and lymph. And finally, there is a strong cellular memory component in our fascial tissues that takes place during times of bodily injury or trauma. These tissue memories (stored emotions) can remain in place for years and prevent a person from full recovery (physical, mental, emotional) if they are not released.

Myofascial Release is a gentle, hands-on therapy that releases fascial restrictions by applying light, sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system to relieve pain, increase range of motion and restore function. It is a whole-body approach that complements many other treatment modalities in its goal of restoring peoples’ sense of well-being and balance.

MFR Resources

Comprehensive Myofascial Release Self Treatment by Joyce Karnis Patterson, PT

Myofascial Stretching, A Guide to Self Treatment by Jill Stedronsky, Brenda Pardy, John F. Barnes (Preface)