Myofascial release is a type of massage therapy used to treat pain caused by sensitivity and tightness in your myofascial tissues. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body. The pain usually originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called “trigger points.” Myofascial release focuses on reducing pain by easing the tension and tightness in these trigger points. Your therapist will gently massage the myofascia and feel for stiff or tightened areas. Normal myofascia should feel pliable and elastic.

The therapist will begin by massaging and stretching the areas that feel rigid with light manual pressure which aids the tissue and supportive sheath in releasing pressure and tightness. The process is repeated multiple times on the same trigger point and on other trigger points until the therapist feels the tension is fully released. The areas where the massage therapist is working may not always be near where the pain originates or where you feel the pain most prominently. Myofascial release works the broader network of muscles that might be causing your pain.