“No pain no gain” makes sense in certain contexts however, in the world of physical therapy, the idea that progress is achieved by pushing beyond pain signals can actually be damaging.
I trained in Deep Tissue massage nearly two decades ago and know the benefits of stronger pressure, and love to receive treatment myself. However pressure that is painful does not equal an effective therapeutic treatment. On the contrary, it’s through lighter touch that I’ve seen the most dramatic and longstanding positive physical changes — in myself as well as my clients.
One of the first things I let new clients know is that Myofascial Release feels different to normal massage. Firstly, we don’t use oil or lotion as we want to connect to the fascia with our hands, and oils create a glide effect, which isn’t helpful with this specific treatment.
Also, my hands can be in the same position for at least 90 seconds and up to a few minutes even. The time element is crucial because this gives space for meaningful changes to occur within the soft tissue.
Like an elastic band, if we stretch fascia forcefully for just a few seconds and let go, it will contract back to how it was. However, gradual, sustained traction or compression allows a softening or release within the tissue, and reduces tension. If you’re familiar with Yin Yoga, it’s a similar principle.
While several minutes may seem like a long time, there will be changes happening inside the body, which can feel deeper and different to traditional massage. Fascia is a 3D web made mainly of water, collagen and elastin. We use the superficial (surface) fascia as a lever or handle to feel into the web deeper within the body.
It’s common to feel sensation in areas of the body other than the area being treated — think of the fascia web connecting everything from the top of the head to the tips of your toes! Every body is different, and the level of pressure required in treatment will differ for each person and session.
Another key difference to some manual therapies is that Myofascial Release doesn’t use force. While firmer pressure may be needed at times, there are no sudden cracks or forceful movements. Fascia has a protective function, and where there is already excess tension or restriction in the tissue, a sudden, forceful technique may create more tension. Instead, we feel where there is resistance in the tissue and wait at these barriers with our hands until the tissue softens on its own. No force required!
This slower, less forceful approach allows the practitioner to really listen to what is happening in the body without asserting a protocol or generic set of techniques. Presence is everything as a therapist; it allows us to respond moment to moment to the whole person we’re working with.
It’s common to think that feeling pain in a treatment is a sign that it’s working or positive changes are happening. Pain is a complex subject in which I’m no expert, however broadly in treatment you can experience “good pain” — where the area may feel tender but the pressure feels helpful. Pain that causes you to tense or brace, really is counterproductive. Pain is how our body communicates that something isn’t right and needs our attention.
Entertain my hot beverage analogy if you will. Stronger, more forceful treatments are like a double espresso. You’ll feel it instantly and know something is happening in the body which, depending on your constitution, may feel good or could be overwhelming to the system. Myofascial Release is like a fresh mint tea. If you’re a coffee drinker and having a herbal brew for the first time, it may lack the instant hit your palette is used to.
However, when you tune in to the sensations in the body, this quieter flavour actually allows you to feel more, not less. Though more gentle to the system, this approach is also more supportive, and as such can facilitate powerful and sustained positive shifts in the physical and emotional body. Of course I am biased, but the fresh mint tea soon becomes your beverage of choice.
The best way to understand Myofascial Release is to experience it yourself. If you have any questions or want to know whether it can help with pain or symptoms you’re experiencing, feel free to get in touch.