Myofascia Release – The Facts

What is Fascia?

Fascia is a specialised system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web or a sweater.  Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.

What is Myofascia?

‘Myo’ means muscle and ‘fascia’ means band.  It is like a superficial body suit which covers all of your muscles allows you to move freely, breath properly and perform our daily tasks pain-free. It spans the whole body and is totally connected as one piece of material. It is called “the tissue of movement”.

Myofascia is a continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.

What causes Fascia to change?

There are a number of things that can affect the efficiency of fascia:

• Posture
• Forces (pushing, lifting)
• Temperature
• Hydration
• Overuse & misuse
• Immobilisation
• Posture
• Stress
• Depression and anxiety

What is a Trigger Point?

When fascia is damaged or traumatised it can become too tight and restricted, it can cause knots or adhesions which can lead to the development of trigger points and cause a number of problems such as:

• Muscle pain and spasms
• Chronic back and neck pain
• Recurring injuries
• Sciatica
• Sensations such as numbness and pins and needles
• Poor Posture and reduced flexibility
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties

What is Self Myofascial Release and how will it help me?

Self-myofascial release (SMR) has been shown to relieve muscle and joint pains and improve flexibility and range of motion. The goal of myofascial release is to elongate and soften the connective tissue, creating a permanent three dimensional length and width change.

Using a GRID foam roller helps to break up trigger points and soothe tight fascia, while increasing blood flow and circulation to the soft tissues. This can lead to improved range of motion, flexibility and movement, increased blood flow and will assist in returning your muscles to normal function. This creates a decrease of muscle tension, which in turn will help prevent injury and improve performance.

“Make foam-roller exercises part of your regular routine, to relieve aches and pains, and increase mobility in key muscle groups.”

With thanks to Sue Wilkie, Myofascial Release Specialist