How Myofascial Release
Helps Manage
Chronic Pain
We often hear that various forms of
touch can help manage chronic pain,
but how exactly does it help?
Myofascial Release is More than
‘Feel Good’ Bodywork
Most people would agree with the statement that bodywork of any kind ‘just feels good.’ Human touch is powerful and brings about deep relaxation. Most people tend to associate bodywork with images of spas, traditional massage, facials, and the like.
While there is no denying that the traditional spa bodywork is a relaxing experience, there are many other types of bodywork that are less well-known that can help improve your quality of life if you suffer from chronic pain. One of these forms of bodywork is known as Myofascial Release. Spa type massage (Swedish massage) results often fade within a few hours.
Myofascial Release is a massage
technique that can help
improve your quality of life long-term
if you suffer from chronic pain.
Myofascial Release
Helps Manage Chronic Pain
Several changes happen in the body during Myofascial Release that can help with pain relief. Depending on your type of pain it may be affected by one or more of these changes.
The AMTA has put together a list of research papers done on the topic for people who want the real “nitty-gritty” on the matter.
The fascial system has recently been shown to transmit pain signals like our nervous system. To read more on how Fascia Acts as a Second Nervous System, click here.
Myofascial Release
Positively Affects the
Nervous System
Although different types of bodywork may produce a variety of physiological changes, there is one thing that happens with every type of bodywork: stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
What in the Heck
is the Parasympathetic
Nervous System?
In short, our bodies have two complimentary functions of the autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The autonomic nervous system is what functions without us thinking about it – breathing, digesting food, etc.
When the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, we are alert and active.
The sympathetic nervous system is in charge of our “fight of flight” response, so our senses are all heightened when it is in charge – this includes the nervous system activity that enables us to feel pain well.
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated
our bodies relax and we go into a state of “rest and digest.”
When Myofascial Release stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, our senses become dulled. This happens because the special chemicals (neurotransmitters) that heighten our perception take a break and other neurotransmitters that suppress our senses spring into action. As a result, we no longer sense things like pain as well.
Why Myofascial Release
Helps Manage Chronic Pain
People who are in chronic pain often have difficulty switching from the sympathetic (active) nervous system to the parasympathetic (relaxed) nervous system. Doctors often prescribe medications to help this happen artificially, but these medications do not work in all people and it is possible to build up a tolerance to these meds over time, lessening their effect.
Pain medications often have negative side effects and usually should not be taken over long periods of time. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe pain medications for any significant duration because they may lead to chemical dependency and harm the liver or kidneys.
Myofascial Release is a natural way to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, sending the body immediately into “rest and digest” mode. It does not involve any artificial means to relieve pain. Instead, it uses the body’s own built-in pain suppression mechanisms to bring about relief.
Myofascial Release Induces
Serotonin Release Which Relieves Pain
Another important chemical in our nervous system (neurotransmitter) is called serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for calming us down when we are anxious and lifting our mood when we are depressed.
Myofascial Release increases serotonin production, so it is very beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety or depression. The AMTA has put together research that you can read here for anxiety and here for depression if you want all of the details.
Increased availability of serotonin has been shown to reduce pain. This is why special drugs that make serotonin more available in the body (SSRI’s and SNRI’s) are frequently used to treat chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. Since Myofascial Release has been shown to increase serotonin levels, it is very effective in providing relief for people with chronic pain.
Myofascial Release
Improves Sleep to Relieve Pain
Myofascial Release helps manage chronic pain through improved sleep. (Detailed research from the AMTA is available here.)
It is a well-documented fact that the less sleep you get, the more sensitive you are to pain. (Article with research on that here.) In people with chronic pain syndromes this becomes a vicious cycle in which it is impossible to get good sleep because of pain, and the lack of sleep increases the perception of pain.
Myofascial Release functions as an intervention into this cycle. By helping to induce deep sleep during and after the therapy session, the cycle is broken and, over time, balance is restored to the body.
No matter if you have fibromyalgia, sciatica, back pain, or bone cancer, if you are suffering from chronic pain make Myofascial Release part of your treatment plan. Myofascial therapists are trained to work with diverse medical conditions to design the right therapy for you.
Get back to feeling great again, regain lost range of motion, and be a healthier you.
