A while back the term myofascial release would only be heard in hospitals, physical therapy clinics as well as the chiropractors office. But it has now become a household name. Today it isn't uncommon to hear about it in the media, at the gym or even from your massage therapist. So what exactly is Self-Myofascial Release? Before we try and tackle the subject, it would be a good idea to try to understand what the fascia is.
The role of the fascia is to hold organs in their place, allow movement throughout the body, and provide a place where muscles can move. The fascia is found almost everywhere throughout the body: the muscles, joints, bones and organs, to say the least. They are a web-like structure that is very strong in nature and made of fibrous connective tissue.
Fascia tend to tangle up with muscles as a result of overuse or injury. This occurrence is common with many people around the world especially athletes or those that live a sedentary kind of lifestyle. These 'tangles' are known as knots, or myofascial trigger points in the medical world. If these points develop, they can cause tenderness and pain, which can eventually lead to decreased range of motion, as well as decreased flexibility. These knots must be massaged so that they may 'untangle' the muscle from the surrounding tissue. This process is call myofascial release.
The reason why Self-Myofascial Release,' or SMR has gained a great deal of popularity lately is because of the fact that everyone can now do it in the comfort of their own home, in the office, or perhaps at the health club, provided you possess the proper equipment which includes foam rollers, or massage balls. You no longer have spend a lot of money at the masseuse or spa to get a deep, therapeutic and beneficial massage.
Massage balls are really simple to use. They can simply be used to massage the chest, thighs and other easy to reach arease. As opposed to the more challenging foam roller, that requires the use of ones body weight to to get to target deeper trigger points. Though it sounds like SMR is just another massage, it actually is much more than that. It requires actually searching for trigger points in the body and working out them until they release from the fascia.
The role of the fascia is to hold organs in their place, allow movement throughout the body, and provide a place where muscles can move. The fascia is found almost everywhere throughout the body: the muscles, joints, bones and organs, to say the least. They are a web-like structure that is very strong in nature and made of fibrous connective tissue.
Fascia tend to tangle up with muscles as a result of overuse or injury. This occurrence is common with many people around the world especially athletes or those that live a sedentary kind of lifestyle. These 'tangles' are known as knots, or myofascial trigger points in the medical world. If these points develop, they can cause tenderness and pain, which can eventually lead to decreased range of motion, as well as decreased flexibility. These knots must be massaged so that they may 'untangle' the muscle from the surrounding tissue. This process is call myofascial release.
The reason why Self-Myofascial Release,' or SMR has gained a great deal of popularity lately is because of the fact that everyone can now do it in the comfort of their own home, in the office, or perhaps at the health club, provided you possess the proper equipment which includes foam rollers, or massage balls. You no longer have spend a lot of money at the masseuse or spa to get a deep, therapeutic and beneficial massage.
Massage balls are really simple to use. They can simply be used to massage the chest, thighs and other easy to reach arease. As opposed to the more challenging foam roller, that requires the use of ones body weight to to get to target deeper trigger points. Though it sounds like SMR is just another massage, it actually is much more than that. It requires actually searching for trigger points in the body and working out them until they release from the fascia.
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