Myofascial Release
What is fascia?
Fascia is a three-dimensional web of specialized bands and sheaths of connective tissue that surrounds, supports, invests, protects, and separates all structures of the body. Fascia is continuous throughout the body from head to toe and superficial to deep. It may be categorized into three different divisions: superficial, deep, and deepest.
What is fascia made of?
Fascia is composed of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). There are several types of cells found in fascia. For our class, you should know of fibroblasts and macrophages. Fibroblasts are the primary secretory cell of connective tissue proper. They secrete the ECM. Macrophages are phagocytes that clean the fascia and "eat" foreign bodies such as bacteria.
The extracellular matrix is comprised of fibers and ground substance. The fibers found in fascia are collagen, elastin, and reticulin. Collagen is a very tough and inelastic fiber which can withstand a tensile force of up to 2000psi. Collagen is the fiber which makes fascia tough and durable. Elastin is an elastic fiber which lends an elastic element to fascia. Reticulin fibers are used to form a sponge-like meshwork for structures like the lymphatic network of veins and capillaries.
Ground substance is a viscous gel which provides the immediate environment of every cell in the body. It is similar to egg whites in it's consistency. All metabolic exchange takes place within the ground substance. Ground substance matrix serves several functions, including the following: maintains critical interfiber distance, lubricates, medium for diffusion of waste and nutrients, shock absorber, mechanical barrier against bacteria.
Ground substance is a gel and therefore exhibits a property known as thixotropy. Thixotropy is the ability of a gel to alter its state from a more solution-like nature to a more solid-like nature. With an increase in temperature, a gel becomes more solution-like, referred to as "sol." With a decrease in temperature, a gel becomes more solid-like, referred to as "gel."
What is myofascia?
Myofascia is a term which conveys the interwoven, connected nature of fascia and muscle.Muscle and fascia are inseparable. Every microfibril, fibril, fiber, fascicle, and muscle is surrounded by fascia.
What is Myofascial Release?
A whole body, hands-on approach to stretching, lengthening, and softer musculofascial structures of the body.
What is the value of stretching, lengthening, and softening the myofascial system?
Remember: fascia surrounds, supports, invests, connects, protects, and separates every part of your body. Fascia may become short and bound down due to trauma, poor posture over time, emotional and physical stress, illness and infectious processes and nutritional deficiencies. As these structures become shortened, they have the ability to exert tremendous pressure on pain sensitive structures in our bodies which leads to symptoms. During treatment, when the fascia is "released," more space is created. Pressure is removed from pain sensitive structures so that proper function can be regained.
We treat patients in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Dunedin and other surrounding areas in Pinellas County, Tampa Area.
Call 727 481 3301
