A new client recently asked, how can I tell if I have myofascial restrictions that need myofascial release?
It is an excellent question.
Despite the many advances of modern medicine, dysfunctional fascia does NOT show up in any imaging or testing!
Ironically, though, myofascial restrictions can actually be easy to identify.
Identification of Myofascial Restrictions Starts With A Description
For many, it begins with a subjective description of their in-body experience.
I tell clients it is like they are saying magic words. Words like
“It feels like I am living in a strait jacket.”
“My neck and shoulders feel like concrete.”
“My body is so tight, it feels like I can’t move.”
“It takes all of my energy just to get through my day and it is exhausting!”
“The doctor says nothing is wrong, but I just KNOW something is off in my body.”
Your felt sense of what it is like to be in your body is of utmost importance. And, one of my favorite phrases that clients use starts with, “it is going to sound crazy, but. . . “
Whatever follows next, is almost always 100% accurate to describing myofascial restrictions and the effect that are having in the body.
It can feel like a pulling, a tugging, a downward drag, a tightness, an achiness, an inability to move in a certain way, or fatigue – that you just know isn’t connected to a workout, a muscle group, or an injury.
You Can Use Your Own Hands To Identify Myofascial Restrictions
In addition to subjective descriptions, there is also the incredibly simple FEEL of myofascial restrictions in the body. Almost everyone can develop the sensitivity to identify how myofascial restrictions feel.
This starts by using your own hands to feel the soft tissues of your body.
Myofascial tissue should be pliable, bendable, and flexible to the touch. When you use your hand to lift and bend and move tissues, skin and all of the stuff under it should be movable.
There shouldn’t be pain or a sense of “glue-ing,” thickness, tightness, ropiness, or rigidness. Any sense of those in your body and soft tissues is almost always an indication of areas of myofascial restriction.
As John Barnes, the founder of the Myofascial Release Approach® teaches, areas of myofascial restriction will be hard, hot, or tender to the touch.
In the absence of injury, and when testing has ruled out other issues, if an area of soft tissue is thick and tight, hard, or tender, ropy or rigid – it is likely you are feeling restrictions in the myofascial system of the body.
It is not uncommon, as you feel the quality of tissue in the troubled areas to also feel an effect in other areas of your body.
Learn More About The Myofascial System
The Effects Of Scar Tissue (Scars are myofascial restrictions!)
This is a further indication you are feeling myofascial restrictions.
Further Ways To Identify The Presence Of Myofascial Restrictions
In addition to the above suggestions, there are questions you can ask yourself to explore further your current lived experience. Be gentle, but be honest as you look for how your body and being are doing.
Remember, indicators of myofascial restrictions and their effect on the body and being may not just be physical. Myofascial restrictions can also have mental and emotional components.
What Can You Do If You Have Myofascial Restrictions?
Addressing myofascial restrictions in a way that will have lasting benefit and resolution requires working with the body in a way that the tissues allow. Specifically, this means never forcing tissues to change.
Here at Women’s Myofascial Of Salt Lake, we are biased toward the John Barnes Myofascial Release Approach®. This approach to treatment of myofascial restrictions uses specific pressures, for specific lengths of time, into areas of restriction.
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Too much pressure into areas of myofascial restriction, or aggressive techniques aimed at forcefully breaking up areas of restriction, and the myofascial system responds with more tightening and thickening.
Too little pressure or techniques applied too quickly, and restricted tissues do not have adequate time for fluidity and glide to return.
“Myofascial release is a hands-on soft tissue technique that facilitates a stretch into the restricted fascia. A sustained pressure is applied into the restricted tissue barrier. After 90-120 seconds the tissue will undergo histological length changes allowing the release to be felt. The therapist follows the release into a new tissue barrier and holds.
After a few releases the tissue will become softer and more pliable.
The restoration of length and health to the myofascial tissue will take the pressure off the pain sensitive structures such as nerves and blood vessels, as well as restoring alignment and mobility to the joints.”
In short, the type of myofascial release you use will matter.
We suggest, as you seek professional help, that you work with a myofascial specialist who
- Takes a whole body approach to treatment sessions, rather than limiting or focusing only on the areas that are painful
- Can help you learn to care for the health of your myofascial system through simple, daily at home myofascial self treatment
- Never forces through tissues or suggests you have to push through pain
- Understands the connectedness of the whole being and the impact trauma and injury have on myofascial restrictions
- Can help walk you through the body’s healing responses
When you work with a myofascial specialist in this way, you will be in good hands.
If you would like to learn more about working with us here at Women’s Myofascial Of Salt Lake, use the form below to reach out about a FREE consultation.
