Windsong Wellness and Therapy Shoppe

The therapy is based on the idea that poor

posture, physical injury, illness, and emotional

stress can throw the body out of alignment and

cause its intricate web of fascia to become taut

and constricted. Because fascia link every organ

and tissue in the body with every other part, the

skillful and dexterous use of the hands is said to

free up, or "release," disruptions in this fascial

network. Pressure on the bones, muscles, joints,

and nerves is relieved in the process, and

balance is restored.

Like a "pull" in a sweater, the effects of tension

and strain are thought to snowball over time.

Abnormal pressures may tighten or bind the

fascia to

underlying tissues, causing "adhesions," or dabs

of scar tissue that cling to muscle fibers. Even

though these adhesions do not show up on

x-rays or other scans, they can stiffen joints

or contribute to painful motions, such as

rotator cuff injuries.

If they occur near a nerve, they may cause

numbness, pain, and tingling, as with sciatica

or carpal tunnel syndrome.

The gentle and sustained stretching of

myofascial release is believed to free these

adhesions and soften and lengthen the fascia.

By freeing up fascia that may be impeding

blood vessels or nerves, myofascial release

is also said to enhance the body's innate

restorative powers by improving

circulation and nervous system transmission.