I’ve debated starting a blog for a while now. I was hesitant because I didn’t want this to become a space for medical advice, it’s a space for reflection. I want to be clear that everything I write here is through the lens of my personal opinion and current understanding, which is always evolving. But recently, something happened in session that cracked open both my heart and my hesitation, and I felt compelled to share with you more about the process of Myofascial Release for nerve pain.
A Little Story about Myofascial Release for Nerve Pain
My client presented to her session with a diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment. She described her baseline pain as a constant 6/10. She couldn’t sit on hard surfaces, had to use a donut to drive, and was always navigating her day through pain — but somehow, she carried this rockstar zest for life. She kept hoping, moving, and searching. I share this because I believe that her zest was part of her medicine.
After her first session, she texted the next morning and said it was the best day she’d had since the ordeal began. She made it through the whole day with less pain and didn’t even need her usual nighttime cold pack.
She didn’t stay pain-free, but she did get a window of relief.
And that’s what we’re looking for: Change.
Not a straight line. Perhaps not permanent at first. But a change in the nervous system, in the body, in the felt experience.
Session Two
After her second session, she texted me early the following morning and said, “First night was painfully rough.” And, in her usual fashion, she added: “Tomorrow will be better.”
Again — change.
Not worse or better than the change after session one. Just different. And still part of the process.
The Healing Crisis
Regarding nerve-specific conditions, there are red flags that indicate we’ve gone too far, such as loss of motor control, numbness, or changes in bowel or bladder function. But she had none of that. And I knew — consciously — that what we did was grounded in the principles of John Barnes’ Myofascial Release. When applied correctly, the work is never injurious.
But… I’ll be honest: Even though she wasn’t worried, I was.
Have I seen Myofascial Release work? Yes.
Do I know about the healing crisis and nerve flare responses? Absolutely.
But here’s a fun fact: This client is a dear friend, and I love her deeply, and that triggered something in me. Caring for her brought up some deep fear in me — fear of hurting her, fear of not being good enough. It touched an old wound I didn’t know I was still holding — the kind of childhood imprint that says: “If I make a mistake, I’ll lose love.” So while she was healing, I was too. And it was this experience that finally prompted me to start this blog, because I wanted to share the facts I kept repeating to myself in those anxious moments — in case you ever find yourself there too.
Typical Healing Arc for a Nerve Flare (based on my experience + research)
Here is the typical healing arc for Myofascial Release for nerve pain and yes, this arc is one of the facts I kept repeating to myself:
Day 0 (same day as session):
• Client often feels relief immediately after session — looseness, lightness.
• Sometimes early tingling or burning begins within a few hours as nerve mobility increases.
Day 1 (first morning after session):
• Peak flare is most common here.
• Pain often worse than baseline — sometimes 1–3 points higher.
• Burning, aching, sharper nerve sensations can dominate.
• Ice/soothing usually helps at least a little (if it does, this is a good sign of regulation).
Day 2 (second morning after session):
• Pain usually still present but softer — either slightly lower on the pain scale or less emotionally “hot.”
• Client often notices less burning, or more “deep ache” instead of sharpness.
• Movement becomes easier, even if tenderness remains.
• Emotional regulation improves.
Day 3–4:
• Pain usually drops noticeably (often back to or below original baseline).
• Client starts reporting relief windows — moments or hours where the pain nearly disappears.
• Integration phase starts — nerve “relearns” how to move freely through the new fascial environment.
Day 5–7:
• True recalibration:
o Pain generally settles below pre-session baseline (sometimes by a full 1–2 points).
o Client feels stronger, freer, more resilient.
o Awareness of old restrictions may be permanently changed.
Common Questions I Asked (and Answered for Myself)
Can nerve pain get worse before it gets better?
Yes. When fascial restrictions surrounding a nerve are released, it can temporarily increase sensitivity. This isn’t necessarily a setback; it’s often a sign the nervous system is integrating change.
Can a nerve flare lead to a better baseline?
Yes. It’s possible for the nervous system to recalibrate after fascial decompression and settle into a state that is lower than the client’s original baseline pain. These drops often happen around Days 3–7 after treatment.
How do I know if a flare is dangerous?
Look for red flags: sudden numbness, loss of movement, bowel/bladder issues, or any loss of function. Pain that shifts in intensity but responds to rest or ice and doesn’t impair function is typically part of the healing arc.
Sources:
– “Healing Through Myofascial Release” by John Barnes (https://www.myofascialrelease.com)
– PubMed article on nerve entrapment and fascial interfaces: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27148439/
Session Three: The Honest Update
My friend/client did not follow this common arc. Again, I will repeat that her attitude is medicine as is her determination. She treated herself at home, working on self psoas release, adductor stretching, and glute strengthening. Also, she addressed her nerve pain with myofascial release somewhat early—within a month of diagnosis. That said, her “painfully rough” flare (8/10) was on Friday. By Saturday morning, she had zero pain. ZERO.
Let me repeat this one more time: I believe deeply in client empowerment. Self treatment, the client taking agency over their healing process? That is the magic of MFR. MFR invites the client into their own healing. It’s empowering. It’s embodied. It’s agency. And that, my friend, is freaking magical.
But here’s the honest ending — she didn’t stay pain-free. In fact, after session three, her symptoms returned and even widened. The burning sensation moved to both sides of her body, and her piriformis flared again. This can be discouraging, but it’s also not unusual. When pain moves from one side to both, it can be a sign that the body is no longer isolating the issue. The nervous system may be trying to reorganize or redistribute how it’s managing long-standing tension and protection. When she called to tell me what was flaring, I reminded her of something I often remind myself: healing isn’t linear, especially when it comes to nerves.
When Relief Fades — and the Story Deepens
We don’t always know what will emerge and that’s what makes this healing work both beautiful and maddening. Sometimes, things feel better. And yes, sometimes, it feels like everything is flaring and spreading. Neither is better; both are signs of a body that is trying to re-pattern.
For example, when pain shifts sides, it may signal that the nervous system is no longer isolating the issue—it’s widening its field of recalibration. That doesn’t mean something’s gone wrong. It can mean that the body is finally addressing a global holding pattern, not just one local pain point.
What Remains Unsaid — on Purpose
While I’m willing to share generalities and my observation of the healing process for this one client, what I’m not going to share is the areas we treated. Here’s another magic token: MFR doesn’t treat a diagnosis — it treats a body, and no two are the same.
During MFR treatment, I soften, place my hands, and I listen. I follow the body. I follow my intuition. Beyond that, the client listens to their fascial voice — the way the body speaks during and after treatment.
Sometimes I’ll be working on someone’s shin, and they’ll say, “I can feel that in my neck.” That’s the fascial voice and perhaps the most tangible way for someone to truly understand that fascia is one electrical, three-dimensional web. It’s mysterious. And no — you can’t fully science it.
Final Thought
MFR doesn’t always heal the way we want it to. It doesn’t always relieve the symptom. But it often opens a deeper layer — one you didn’t even know needed to soften.