The Benefits of Fascial Release Therapy

Everybody has fascia throughout the body; it is an elastic band that surrounds every muscle in the body making the muscles loose and flexible. When there is some form of fascia trauma, the muscles in the fascia becomes stiff, making the muscle sore and tender. The difference between typical stiff muscles and fascia pain will be found in trigger points; points that hurt in one spot instead of the entire muscle.

Additionally, fascia trauma or pain cannot be seen in any radiology tests such as X-rays or MRI's making it extremely difficult to diagnose. The good news is that fascia pain is easy to treat with a specialized form of massage therapy. The benefits of fascial release therapy consist of increased flexibility, decreased pain and better mobility and range of motion. Once you go through this therapy, you can enjoy your life just as you did before your trauma happened.

Many people live in chronic pain; pain that cannot be explained by any tests or radiology procedures. Due to the fact that the pain is simply unexplainable pain, it is very difficult to diagnose if you have had some form of trauma to your fascia, your doctor may try some other tests simply to rule out torn ligaments or tendons before putting you through the fascia release therapy. As you go through this therapy, you will find that the pain becomes reduced a bit after each session until the pain is gone completely, this is how the doctor determines for certain that you have had some form of fascial trauma.

What is Fascia Therapy?

Fascial release therapy is a type of massage therapy which can be performed by a wide range of physicians, massage therapists and chiropractors; as long as they have had the proper training and certifications. This therapy takes the soft tissue that surrounds and gently stretches the fascia that has been affected. This type of therapy is not designed to be a quick fix, in fact, it takes the same shape as you would find post-surgery.

You should expect to have an initial appointment that pinpoints the affected area that is where the therapist will focus their treatment. After that, you should see the therapist on a set schedule for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the extent of the pain as well as the rate of recovery. Each fascial release therapy session should take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what the therapist recommends, as well as what you can handle.

Cost Effectiveness

There are times when a physician is sure that there are torn ligaments cartilage but, like fascia trauma, does not always show up on radiology tests. This is when the doctor feels that they should just go in and operate to repair the problem.

This solution is a fine way to fix the problem so the pain stops and you can go back to living your normal life; however, it is not uncommon that when the doctor simply suggests the fascia therapy first instead of sending the patient straight into the operating room, the problem goes away. Simply put, this means that if your doctor has you go through a fascial release therapist before surgery, you could feel better and not need the surgery after all. Not only will this save you pain and time, but it also saves you and your insurance carrier thousands of dollars in expenses occurred in an unnecessary surgery.

Added Mobility

The majority of patients who go through the fascia release therapy program find that they are not only pain-free, but they have their mobility back as well. Since the elastic parts that hold the muscles in place are now back to being elastic as opposed to stiff, the muscles can now move about freely, giving you back the flexibility and mobility you once thought you lost.

Fascial release therapy is the best way to get your mobility back, lose your chronic pain and take your life back. Always ask your doctor about any new treatment program that you feel could help you become independent and pain-free.

Eugene Wood is a leading NYC and Long Island Massage Therapist and the Education Chair for the NY Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Eugene has offices in Manhattan and Wantagh, Long Island. Learn more by visiting his website at: http://www.eugenewoodmassage.com.