The goal of Myofascial Release is fascial freedom. Many people experience feelings of deep relaxation during a session and are left feeling lighter in their bodies with relief of pain, a decrease in symptoms, or a greater range of motion.
What Does Myofascial Release Feel Like?
Myofascial Release Therapy does not feel like a traditional massage. The therapy targets the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and influences muscles. Unlike massage, fascial therapy feels more like a stretch or the gentle pulling of taffy. Initially, many clients may feel little sensation, but as we maintain each fascial release, the body gradually begins to awaken and respond.
Fascial Therapy vs. Massage
There are a few key differences between traditional massage and fascial therapy (MFR):
- MFR is a clothed modality. Clothing allows the body freedom to move and process as needed.
- Though occasionally deep, the touch with MFR is applied gently and slowly. It is often referred to as “still work,” which contrasts with the gliding and sliding motions of massage therapy.
- MFR is nonlubricated work. Massage oils and lotions are not used, and clients are asked to refrain from applying lotion prior to treatment.
- While massage often covers the entire body, myofascial therapy is focused. We may spend the entire session working on one hold in one area of the body. The beauty of the fascial system is that it is an interconnected system that touches everything from muscle to bones, from our heads to our toes. As such, the results of the therapy run deep, reverberating throughout the body without the need to touch every surface.
What to Expect During Myofascial Release
During your session, we will work together to increase body awareness. The intention is to lovingly nurture and accept whatever happens. While any of the “symptoms” listed below may occur during Myofascial Release, the best course of action is to let go of expectations and allow your curiosity to take over. Together, we can approach your session innocently and curiously, letting the body lead the process.
That said, here is a list of things I have either personally experienced or witnessed during myofascial release treatment.
- Bubbles/Popping: Clients have described feeling a bubbly sensation or muscles “popping” during treatment. They often describe these sensations as a “pleasant release.”
- Coughing
- Emotions: I’ve seen joy, laughter, tears, and everything in between. All emotions are welcome in your session. Remember, emotions are temporary and can help you release stress from your body. The body, mind, and spirit are so intricately connected in the healing process.
- Memories: The body may move into a position that creates a memory. It’s important to remember that you are in control of the session. If you ever want to end the session, all you need to do is ask.
- Movement/Unwinding: If you want to move, move! You have not lost control. You can stop your movement at any time. The goal is to allow movement to happen without forcing it to happen. Don’t resist. Let your body show you that movement can feel good.
- Muscle Twitches or Pulses
- Other Sensations in the Body: Some describe mild, achy pain or stretching sensations. I’ve also heard a couple of people describe it as a “laffy taffy” feeling. For others, it feels like a deep release or freedom.
- Relaxation/Relief
- Sleep: If you feel sleepy, don’t resist.
- Smells/Sounds/Colors
- Thoughts: Take your thoughts as they come, don’t resist. There is no need to try to overcome or control your thoughts during the process.
- Vocalizations: This may look like a moan, sigh, or growl. It’s also not uncommon for a client to speak words that have been suppressed. If you want to speak up about something, don’t resist—Are you starting to sense a pattern yet?
- Yawning/Deep Breaths
- NOTHING: You may feel absolutely nothing. That, too, is an acceptable and valuable experience.
What to Expect After Myofascial Release
After a session, I ask that you nurture whatever it is you’re experiencing. If you are experiencing something you find pleasurable, protect that for as long as you can. If you are experiencing something you aren’t enjoying, honor the process and seek help if needed. It’s not unusual for people to seek Myofascial Release alongside other traditional or alternative treatments.
Possible post-treatment experiences include:
- Decreased Stress
- Depression/Anxiety or Reduced Anxiety/Depression: Who doesn’t love a good contradiction? Sometimes, symptoms intensify before they get better, and sometimes, the decrease in stress hormones created by bodywork can have a more immediate impact.
- Dreams: Dreams are another way the body can relieve stress. A dream journal during treatment can be valuable.
- Emotions/Sensitivity: You might feel extra emotional or sensitive post-treatment. Embrace these feelings and take care of yourself. If needed, seek someone who can hold space for your emotions, like a trusted friend, life coach, or talk therapist. These feelings are coming to the surface to be felt. It’s okay to nurture them and yourself.
- Fatigue: This is typically the body’s way of getting the energy needed to process the changes the treatment has brought about.
- Headaches: It’s not uncommon to have a headache after a session. The headaches can feel intense, which may cause secondary symptoms, including nausea. Headaches are likely to pass in 24 hours or less. I recommend drinking plenty of water and taking a warm Epsom salt bath.
- Joy/Bliss: If you feel joy, don’t resist! Allow yourself to reclaim a sense of joy.
- Irritability/Anger: This one was common for me while first experiencing Myofascial Treatment. I found anger profoundly uncomfortable, but I understood that it was important for me to experience the anger I had suppressed for so long. To paraphrase Carl Jung, “What we resist persists.”
- Lightness/Bodily Freedom
- Memories/Awareness
- Relaxation/Relief
- Reluctance to Return: Feeling apprehensive about returning for another session is common. This reluctance can stem from feelings of exposure, vulnerability, or discomfort with a healing crisis. Only you can decide the next steps. It may not be the right time in your recovery process, it may be that I’m not a good fit for you, or you might find that the feelings are rooted in feelings of guilt that can be overcome by acknowledging your right to experience safe, nurturing touch.
- Shaking/Trembling/Sweating/Hot Flashes
- Sore Muscles: Remember, soreness is different than pain. Your muscles should not feel painful, but they might feel sore, similar to how they feel after a workout.
- NOTHING: I would be remiss to not once again mention that NOTHING is an absolute possibility.
Why Fascia?
The photo above is an excellent illustration of how fascia envelops the body, or in this case, fruit. The white membranes inside citrus fruits encase the flesh much like fascia surrounds the intricate parts of the human body.
Now, imagine this ‘fruit fascia’ is dehydrated, hardened, and misaligned, but instead of addressing the fruit fascia, I spend all day massaging the fruit’s flesh. While it might feel good and even make the flesh softer and juicier, it won’t address the root issue: the dehydrated fascia that is constricting the flesh.
As we’ve discussed, fascia is a single, connected tissue that wraps the entire body. If one area becomes constricted, it impacts the body in unpredictable ways. John Barnes, the creator of myofascial release therapy, famously says, ‘Find the pain, look elsewhere,’ because while the constriction may cause pain in one area, it inevitably affects others. For instance, a constricted pelvis might be the cause of chronic neck pain. While massaging the neck can provide temporary relief, the issue will persist until the fascial constriction in the pelvis is addressed.
Tips for Self-Care After Myofascial Release
The best thing you can do after a session is hydrate. Fascia needs water to function properly.
Second, make sure you treat yourself with myofascial release between sessions. This will help your body adopt the healthier patterns it is learning during our sessions together.
Why Do I Feel Worse After Treatment?
With Myofascial Therapy, things sometimes feel worse before they get better. It’s uncomfortable to feel everything we’ve tucked away in our bodies, but feeling is the path to healing. And while most symptoms should clear up within 24-48 hours, the healing crisis can continue longer for some.
If you want to learn more about the healing crisis process, please head here.
When Should I Book Again?
Every body is different. The number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of what we are addressing, your budget, and your availability. It’s important to understand that we are often working with deep-seated stresses that may have accumulated over the years. Therefore, the process of unwinding and unlearning old habits takes time.
After the first few sessions, you should feel some relief. That said, some clients find that there is a cycle of repeated improvement and reversal, usually due to fluctuations in psychological or physical stressors. However, with proper treatment, each cycle is usually characterized by greater improvement with less frequent and less severe reversals.
Our goal is to lessen the fluctuations until you find yourself in a more consistently steady state of ease. To aid in this process, I will send you home with self-care instructions, including releases you can practice at home, which will help sustain the progress we achieved during our time together.
Post-recovery, clients often choose maintenance sessions, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis.