More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Myofascial Stretching
What is myofascial stretching? When you think of stretching you likely think of activities familiar from being in gym class sitting on the floor and reaching for your toes, rolling your head around your shoulders to relieve the tension in your neck, etc. These are considered more traditional forms of stretching and differ greatly from myofascial stretching. With myofascial stretching, we actively engage the fascia (the body's connective tissue) to get the stretch, effectively stretching our bodies and creating changes in our alignment and structure.
In brief review, fascia is the connective tissue that holds everything in our bodies together. It is one continuous structure that surrounds and supports everything from our nerves, muscles, bones and organs. It is quite literally, the fabric that holds us together. Without flexibility within the fascia we experience pain, tight muscles, compression of joints, nerve pain and even symptoms that can affect our brain and organs. Maintaining a flexible fascial system is vital to our health on many levels.
How Do We Do Fascial Stretching?
The key to fascial stretching is holding the stretch for a prolonged period of time, a minimum of 2 minutes in each position. This prolonged hold is what results in a permanent change in tissue length versus temporary gains in flexibility. As a result, our muscles and joints move freely, and we experience relief from nerve impingement and open space for our organs to function properly. Fascial stretching is used for arms and legs, our spine and torso, and even the fascia in our face and head.
Who Should Learn How To Stretch Their Fascia?
We all should! If you have had any of the following problems, you are a great candidate for myofascial stretching auto accidents, neck or lower back problems, orthopedic injuries such as sprains or broken bones, any operation or surgical procedure, chronic stress and tension, scoliosis, joint pain, headaches, work injuries, TMJ, and fibromyalgia, just to name a few.
Once you learn the basics of these techniques from a trained Myofascial Release therapist you will find relief from chronic pain, and have improved functional abilities with your daily tasks and an enhanced quality of life.
