Myofascial Release vs. Deep Tissue Massages
Myofascial and Deep Tissue Release are both hands-on techniques that involve applying deep, gentle sustained pressure into the fascial connective tissues that are causing pain and lack of mobility. First, what is Fascia? Fascia has been described as enigmatic, kind of gauze-like matrix of connective tissue that envelops muscles surrounds the nerves and swathes the organs in a body-wide-web of fibrous collagen. If you were to remove everything but the fascia, you would have a body that looked like it is entirely created by a spider-web type of material. This connective tissue not only provides support to your organs, blood vessels, muscles, bones, arteries, and veins, it plays a crucial role in the health and function of your body as well.
In a healthy state, your fascia is relaxed and can stretch and move without restriction. When your body has experienced physical trauma, scarring, inflammation, repetitive motion damage and some even believe emotional trauma, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight and restricted. Fascia is one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption, trauma to one area of your fascia can cause dysfunction or pain in another area of the body. Think of it as yarn in a knitted sweater; it can affect the entire sweater.