Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR)
A gentle, hands-on therapy that works with the fascia, the continuous connective tissue web that surrounds every muscle, bone, and organ in your body.
How MFR works
Myofascial release is a gentle, hands-on therapy developed by John F. Barnes that works with the fascia, the continuous connective tissue web that surrounds every muscle, bone, and organ in your body. Rather than forcing the tissue, I apply gentle, sustained pressure to the body. The pressure is maintained minimally from 90 seconds to several minutes to allow the fascia to soften and release on its own. The body is free to heal the way it’s designed to.
About Myofascial Release (MFR)
What is Fascia?
A slightly mobile connective tissue which is derived embryologically from the mesoderm. It’s composed of an elasto-collagenous complex, including a matrix or ground substance which transports metabolic material through the body. It creates a three-dimensional web which extends continuously from the top of the head to the tip of the toes, without interruption. It surrounds and infuses with every organ, muscle, bone, nerve, and blood vessel all the way down to the cellular level.
How does Fascia become stuck?
Fascia responds to the constant changes a body goes through. It responds to workload, physical injury, emotional injury, posture, pain, surgery, and many things the human body deals with daily. If left untreated, fascia can change its free-flowing form to a very viscous, dense form which can cause immense pressure on the body and all internal organs. The loss of fascial mobility produces a drag on the fascial system which manifests as abnormal alteration in the cranial physiological motion.
How does Myofascial release help?
Myofascial release works by using gentle, sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Timing is an important part of true myofascial release as it impacts the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon. This gentle pressure allows for fascial tissue to elongate and gives it great ability to reshape and support the body. I do not put a time limit on how long I hold the pressure for, I allow the body to guide me. Minimum pressure hold is 90 seconds and it can go on for several minutes.
Often combined with shockwave. For many patients, myofascial release is paired with electrohydraulic shockwave therapy in a single 60-minute session. See how shockwave works or view the MFR + Shockwave session.
Keep reading
Want the full explanation, including why fascia rarely shows up on an MRI or X-ray? Read The Missing Piece in Pain Care: Why Myofascial Release Treats the Body the Way It Actually Works. Have a question? See the myofascial release FAQ.
Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation
Talk through your symptoms and find out whether this approach is right for you. If you're in Fairfield or New Haven County, I'll come to you.