Vancouver Massage Therapy: Myofascia
Vancouver Massage Therapy: Myofascia
In the Vancouver Massage Therapy field, there are many approaches for Myofascia. But before we get into the details of this technique let’s start with what exactly is fascia?
What is Fascia?
Vancouver Massage Therapists focused on Myofascia keep the following in mind with their approach: Fasciae is a very fine and spider web like tissue that runs throughout the entire body as one specialized connected system. It wraps around each and every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, vein and internal organ in our body. This tissue keeps our individual parts separate and reduces the friction from moving our bodies everyday. It plays a role in keeping our body balanced in regards to mobility, flexibility and strength.
Fascia Health
Vancouver Massage Therapy practitioners promote the health of Myofascia. This can involve home care such as daily stretches or yoga, staying hydrated, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, keeping active and eating a healthy balanced diet. When the body is malnourished, dehydrated and inactive the fascia tends to begin to hold tension and become brittle. This can lead to adhesions and distortions in the fasciae, restriction in our movement patterns which will appear as inflammation and pain in your body. To further assist and for regular maintenance seeing a Registered Massage Therapist or other qualified practitioner for Myofascial work can assist the process of bringing your body back into balance.
This article also sheds more light on fascial health:
“Fascia plays an important role in the support and function of our bodies, since it surrounds and attaches to all structures. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries has cumulative effects on the body. The changes trauma causes in the fascial system influences comfort and function of our body. Fascial restrictions can exert excessive pressure causing all kinds of symptoms producing pain, headaches or restriction of motion. Fascial restrictions affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities.”
What is Myofascial Release?
‘Myo’ means muscle and ‘fascia’ means band. The therapist will have a consultation and assessment with the patient to then create a treatment plan. Because the fascia is the connecting fibre throughout the entire body, the treatment plan at times, is not directed at the area of pain.
According to this article on Myofascial Release, “The specific releases to different parts of the body vary, but generally include gentle application of pressure or sustained low load stretch to the affected area. Progress is gauged by the level of increased motion or function experienced, and/or decrease in pain felt by the patient.” Every Registered Massage Therapist in British Columbia is trained to do Myofascial techniques as part of their training however there are some who bring focus to this particular technique. At Broadway Wellness the following Registered Massage Therapists have this marked as one of their primary treatment techniques:
- Amin Aghvami
- Ana Yu
- Ashley Fowler
- Cara Marks
- Chanel Jorsvik
- Jennifer Keene
- Kyla Mccaig
- Laura Schroeder
- Liz Schaeffer
- Mai Holmes
- Marie Arcand
- Michael Scottnicki
- Monica Cleland
- Pia Sutter
- Stacey Spring
- Will Wells
Brent Scrivner, RMT, also does Rolfing as his primary focus which is a specialized technique that also releases tension due to fascial pain.
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Book in your appointment today at Broadway Wellness for assistance with your health and wellness needs here on our online booking site. If you have any further questions, feel free to call our Front Desk team for assistance at 604.732.5222.