Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended for pain relief, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Techniques include manual, deep tissue massage for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, muscles, and bones are applied. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.

The fascia is a type of connective tissue that covers and connects all of your muscles, organs and skeletal structure. It is this that gives your muscles their shape, underneath the skin.

Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Due to the fascia being one web of tissue across the body, a restriction (knot) in it can cause a great deal of pain directly at the point or a type of reffered pain because of increased pressure on an area.

The goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue health. This is done by locating the adhesion or trigger point causing the pain and applying pressure in the form of massage techniques.

There are many massage techniques that a sports massage therapist can use to minipulate the fascia. These can also be used when home training using foam rollers and balls. They are not ass effective as a deep tissue massage because they are not as accurate or deep, but have helped clients of mine (Therapy & PT) restore and maintain their fascias at home.
Roller and ball technique


There is a basic procedure when using the roller / ball technique on any area of your body.

• Using the videos shown below apply preasure to the area.
• Roll, covering the full length of the area, still maintaining the pressure.
• After completing enough lengths so your muscle is more relaxed, slow down the roll and pinpoint the most painfull point (adhesion / trigger point).
• Hold on the pressure until the pain subsides.
• Now increase the pressure again until the pain is around 8 / 10, ten being the most painful.
• Once the pain has gone, wiggle the roller on the point, gradually releaving the pressure and getting longer into full length rolls.
• Start again and locate the next point of pain (adhesion / trigger point).
• Always end the last roll pushing towards the heart.

You can use a ball to increase accuracy and pinpoint the adhesion / trigger point. In addition to this certain areas like your bum are better tackled with a ball because it allows you to get deeper into the muscle tissue.