Myofascial Release
Myofascial is derived from the Latin words 'myo' for muscle and 'fascia' for band.  Fascia, sometimes called fibrous bands or connective tissue, is a 3D continuous web of microscopic hollow tubules that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. Within these hollow tubules are continuous fibres of elastin and collagen surrounded by a fluid called the ground substance.  This network also provides the instant and continuous communication between each and every cell of our bodies.

Fascia surrounds, infuses and protects every other tissue, tendon, muscle, bone, ligament and organ of the body.  In healthy conditions the fascial system is relaxed and wavy in configuration.  This provides a cushioning and supportive mechanism allowing us to move safely without restriction or pain. Collagen and elastin, fascias two main components, allow it to be very strong yet have a high degree of flexibility.  Fascia is also dynamic in nature, it responds to internal and external forces applied on it meeting the resistance in order to protect.

Following all physical and emotional trauma and through poor posture, fascia scars and hardens in the affected site and along the tension lines imposed on it.  This causes the fascial network to lose its cushioning mechanism and internal structures become pulled out of alignment. This in turn creates an abnormal pressure, up to 2,000 pounds per square inch, crushing nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels and further creating tension on adjacent pain-sensitive structures and those along the fascial pull.

Fascia can be described like a 3D sweater, when the fascial network is traumatised it is pulled and twisted out of alignment rather like a pull in the sweater. Therefore, if the fascia has tightened creating bands of tension three dimensionally throughout the body resulting in symptoms distant to the injury then all the appropriate localised treatments will produce limited or temporary results.

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) promotes the philosophy that the mind and body work together to maintain health.  Using the John F. Barnes approach to Myofascial Release and trained by Ruth Duncan, Myofascial Release UK, our MFR uses both traditional and modern techniques to stretch the fascia and allow fluidity to ease restrictions in the fascial network.  The techniques used are very different from massaging muscles, tendons and ligaments and has a time component to allow the MFR therapist to provide a sustained, gentle pressure for a minimum of 90 to 120 seconds allowing the fascia to elongate naturally and return to its normal resting length, thereby restoring health and providing results that are both measurable and functional.

Clients that have experienced MFR have had problems such as chronic pain, backache and pelvic imbalance, neck pain, tendonitis, IBS, menstral discomfort and PCOS, M.E., fibromyalgia, whiplash, tennis and golfers elbow, RSI, TMJ and jaw problems, scar tissue, headaches and migraines, carpel tunnel syndrome, sciatica, frozen shoulder, and many more common conditions.  MFR may help the body to realign and heal itself and is a wonderful therapy for people of all ages.  To watch a video clip on living fascia in the human body, watch Strolling under the Skin by Dr. Jean Claude Guimberteau.

Why not read the Client Testimonials to see what people have said about how their treatments have helped them.