Myofascial Release (MFR) Therapy

How does Myofascial Release help neurological conditions and diseases? Read more here!

NeuroLogic Physiotherapy and the Centre for Myofascial Release was one of the first clinics in Ottawa to bring the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release therapy approach to the community! Myofascial Release treatments are offered to reduce myofascial restrictions that cause pain, affect movement disorders, TMJ problems, headaches, and migraines. This approach can be effective for treating pain which has previously been unresponsive to other treatments.

What is MFR (Myofascial Release)?

Myofascial Release is a hands-on approach to treatment which evaluates the whole body to treat the cause of your symptoms, whether it be pain, tightness etc.. The practitioner applies a variety of sustained pressures, in combination with stretch and motion, to unravel and release myofascial tensions and tissue restrictions in your body. Myofascial Release pressures range from heavy to light depending on your body's needs.

What is fascia?

Myofascial Release therapy for pain, injury, discomfort, ache, soreness, tender, spasms, strains

Fascia is a thin connective tissue that runs from the top of the head to the tip of the toes in an uninterrupted web. It surrounds all the organs, lymph and blood vessels, the nerves, the brain and spinal cord, and every muscle in the body. All movement involves muscle and fascia - the myofascial system.

How do restrictions form?

Trauma, repetitive stress injury, scarring, inflammatory reactions, the effects of gravity on a poorly aligned body, and life stressors can all create restrictions within the myofascial system. These restrictions cause pain and stiffness making it difficult for you to move and prohibiting you from doing those things you love to do.

"Find the pain, look elsewhere for the cause" (- John F. Barnes). The area of pain may be quite distant from the original area of injury. For example, fascial restriction of the inner thigh can pull the pelvis out of alignment, changing the position of the spine and head, creating a migraine. Direct treatment of the headache will only yield temporary results; the original area of injury and the alignment of the pelvis must be addressed.

Relief of pain, adult, child, children, senior, geriatric, infants, babies

What can I expect during treatment?

Myofascial Release treatments begin with a full postural assessment. The physiotherapist or massage therapist finds areas of restriction, and gently applies stretches to the fascia until the tissue releases. The therapist works with, not on, the patient. Myofascial Release strives to achieve pain free, efficient movement patterns, through alignment and balancing of the body.

Who can benefit from Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release can be highly effective in treatment of the following problems:

  • Back strain, chronic back pain

  • Cervical dystonia

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Chronic neck pain

  • Dizziness

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Headache / Migraine

  • Menstrual pain

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Post polio syndrome

  • External and Internal Scar Release

  • Thoracic outlet syndrome

  • TMJ dysfunction

  • Trigger points

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Whiplash

 

Read more about John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release therapy (MFR) at http://www.myofascialrelease.com/