International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Review Article Myofascial Release Salvi Shah1*, Akta Bhalara2 1Lecturer, SPB Physiotherapy College, Ugat-Bhesan Road, Surat, Gujarat 2Lecturer, Shree Swaminarayan Physiotherapy College, Khambhaliya highway, Jamnagar. *Correspondence Email:
[email protected] Received: 10/04//2012 Revised: 28/04/2012 Accepted: 5/05/2012 ABSTRACT Myofascial release (MFR) refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and integuments, muscles, bones, with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, allowing the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in to a more flexible, functional fashion. The purpose of the myofascial release is to release restrictions (barriers) within the deeper layers of fascia. This is accomplished by a stretching of the muscular elastic component of the fascia, along with the crosslink, and changing the viscosity of the ground substance of the fascia. Evidence shows that MFR is safe, effective and designated to be utilized with appropriate modalities, mobilization, exercise and flexibility programs, neurodevelopment treatment (NDT), sensory integration and movement therapy. Key words: MFR, fascia, flexibility INTRODUCTION Muscle and fascia are united forming the myofascial system. Myofascial therapy can be defined as The purpose of deep myofascial “the facilitation of mechanical, neural and release is to release restrictions (barriers) psycho physiological adaptive potential as within the deeper layers of fascia. This is interfaced by the myofascial system”. [1] accomplished by a stretching of the Fascia is located between the skin muscular elastic components of the fascia, and the underlying structure of muscle and along with the crosslinks, and changing the bone, it is a seamless web of connective viscosity of the ground substance of fascia.