Myofascial Release is a gentle, safe and highly effective form of specialized bodywork that releases restrictions in the muscular fascial system. MFR creates positive structural change in the connective tissues, bringing balance and alignment to the skeletal structure. Myofascial Release eases pain, decreases inflammation and lengthens, spreads and differentiates muscles and fascial planes increasing mobility, balance, and coordination. I am an injury specialist and I practice Myofascial Release exclusively after studying various forms of bodywork for over 20 years. Since 1999 I have been studying different alternative therapies, I am able to utilize all of my former training, with MFR people with severe and chronic conditions find the pain relief and results they have been looking for. 

Injury, trauma and surgery can disrupt the fabric of the fascial matrix. When we have damage, the repairing agents in the blood and fluids of the body come to inflame the area and begin the healing process. The little nurses in the blood get started working on repairs with fibroblasts that create scar tissue. This scar tissue can form adhesions and restrictions because the repairs are like patch work temporary bandaids and are organized as such. The body in attempts to stabilize, fortifies. The structure of scar tissue is less efficient, and thus the tension winds up drawing more of the body onboard to further stabilize, scar tissue often spreads beyond the boundaries of the original injury. And, in attempts to offset the dysfunction scar tissue can add to the dysfunction. When compensation happens the injury site may be compromised with immobility. The body will call on and incorporate other muscles and groups of muscles to start doing the jobs of underdeveloped, atrophied or damaged parts. Compensation can lead to referral pain patterns, to fascial chains, trains, slings winding up and the tissues increasing their density. Restrictions in fascia can have up to 2000 pounds of pressure per square inch. In my work with fascia I often sense the underlying rigging, the torque in the shock, strut, compression system. Each part has a unique role to play in the intricate system of the body. What each system needs is space, at a cellular level, cause those cells add to eachother and so the more detailed we get with each part getting room and space. Like a plant that has room to root, it can properly rise.

You know the most important things in life tend to get downplayed? Mostly because it may actually be the very fabric of our existence. It’s like it’s right under our noses and we are so busy with what we see, that our nature is almost missed. Space... in quantum physics it is the substance, it’s the non-substance that is actually the substance. Each structure of the body is wrapped in fascia from the smallest part to the biggest part, each structure’s fibers are comprised of fascia. The packing material- the fascia could be considered as the space that suspends and creates matter. Fascia is influenced my vibration, and frequency. Sound, touch and consciousness of thoughts and feelings reverberate through fascia. Space is illusive, and yet the taoist, will breathe in the horizon line and make motions to gather the chi from the natural world, from below, surrounding and above. Arms that scoop and receive energy from the space around her, and she places it in her dantien. In her center two inches below the navel. Dan tien is the body’s mind it is the control processing unit of the body at it’s core. All lay lines pass through center. Strength and stability comes from a strong ground in this center to the extremities, engaging and moving from the dantien helps to balance the whole body.

When I read a body in the body reads I do before I give bodywork... I look for the ability for and depth of breath- I watch how it moves the body. The first thing I do is to see where the breath is restricted, and then how the body distributes weight measured in the feet, I notice what the body is holding, where the tension patterns are, above and below the surface. In Zen Shiatsu we used to read read the folds in peoples fabric of their clothes. The folds in the fabric represent the tissues. We can see underneath, when we look to the parts that are trying so hard to hold it all together, that in the trying is the demise and compromise of the the stability and integrity of the connection held in the connective tissue.

Your connective tissue- your fascia, is a living, changing highly adaptable system of your human body that is load bearing and tension distributing. Fascia holds your body’s shape and structure, fascia literally holds the space. When your body changes shape, your tissues matrix adapts and shifts in structure to accommodate, your posture, the length of your muscles, the strength, flexibility and symmetrical equality of tension that suspends the ligaments and tendons that attach your joints to your muscles. Your fascial health is created by maintaining a comfortable space in between. Again we go from the tangible idea of density to the light that lengthens and creates space between the matter. This is why breath is so regulating to the nervous system, because usually the root of the problem is generated from the principles of too much which = not enough. Balance is created by distribution. In terms of fascia we want tensegrity:balanced positive tension. We want our body to be fit, toned and in an equalized tension. If a body builder only worked on the front side of his body he would look askew. He would be out of balance and have an pretty hard time maintaining an upright position. Sometimes our body is fighting itself, and what it needs is the master at the helm directing the flows of energy.

From the ground up we stack our body in segments in order to maintain balance. If the body goes beyond center the next segments need to overly compensate for the lower part’s disposition. When we understand what is happening in the body, where tissue is tight and restricted we can lengthen, spread and differentiate the tissue and track down it’s partners in the patterns with MFR I am creating more space by melting through adhesions and reorganizing the fascia. When tissue is unlocked it has the room and space to be free. The cellular structure goes from one of confinement to free flowing energy. This creates space, along with breathing into the tissues and opening areas through guided visualizations and hypnotherapy. When we are able to efficiently communicate with our bodies we can control all parts of ourselves. Because we are in a dynamic corregulating relationship with our body that is highly sensitive and adaptable as are we.

When we get integrated, this is where the juicy flow lives. When our structure is in harmony with gravity and we are floating on the fluidity in our hydrated toned fascia. When we are listening to the symphony of voices in the body and quiet enough to hear the whispers of our intuitive knowing. These energies that cooperate us relay to us the synchronized harmonies available as movement opportunities. The mystical universe bestows upon us a complex landscape of sensory experience as we choose each position we inhabit. We are whole organisms and our nature is to unfold and coil, to expand and contract and in doing so we are connecting with the space.

Dance and connect to the space. The space that suspends and rejuvenates us in sleep as we lay horizontal upon the earth resting in our beds and on soft pillows, in water as we suspend our weight, in extreme movements that challenge us to move beyond our limits. Connect to the space around you, extend your presence. Connect to the space inside of you inquire within. Visualize your organs and smile at them, smile at your skin, your pelvis. Breathe into your spine and feel your parts smiling back at you. Smile to the space and imagine the space is flowering with your breath. I like to think of bubbles becoming bigger and swelling with the inhale, inspiring movement of new life. Connecting to the unknown mystery that is creative can initiate sensation. It’s important to raise your sensory IQ by paying attention to your sensations. When you start to learn the language of your body, your body will smile extra for you. Listen, and center your perspective in the space of loving presence. Love your body, talk to it nicely and hold yourself in high regard.

When you are in pain it can be harder to listen, or to want to. When you have pain you are looking for the pain and can get fixated on it’s timing, duration, activities etc. A hyper vigilant mind is not awareness. Overthinking things has always been a trappy narrow view. I encourage you to look for pleasure and not pain. And sometimes pain can be concerning, and needs to be addressed. I have skills to help you become pain free.

Take good care and get your body out of pain. Getting out of pain as quickly as you can is the most efficient act of service you can do for yourself and everyone in your life. Getting your body in it’s prime will lead you to live your best life. Get out of pain and back to living your best life with Myofascial Release.

Angela is an Injury Specialist and a Myofascial Release Therapist and she works at Sol Bodyworks in Grass Valley. She treats clients with acute and chronic injuries and helps them get out of pain and back to living their full life.