Countless people are experiencing pain, loss of flexibility, and limited range of motion due to a build-up of tightness in the fascial tissue. This problem often goes undiagnosed by traditional medical practitioners because fascial restrictions do not show up on x-rays. At Crystal Springs Chiropractic in San Mateo, our chiropractor takes time to detect and palpate the fascial restrictions at the root of the individual's pain and immobility. Once our chiropractor has identified the troublesome fascia, they are treated through myofascial release. This technique involves the application of controlled pressure to the fascia, restoring the tissue to its normal relaxed wavy configuration.

About the Fascia

Fascia is a ubiquitous network of continuous connective tissue that surrounds each organ, bone, blood vessel, muscle, and nerve fiber in the body, wrapping and holding them in place. Although fibrous in make-up, the fascia is strewn with nerves, making it almost as sensitive as the skin covering our external bodies.  When stressed, the fascia tightens up. 

Although it appears to be a single sheet of tissue, the fascia is made up of several layers with liquid in between. When in optimal condition, the fascia is flexible, slippery, and smooth. However, it can thicken, grow sticky, and dry up, causing it to cling to and bind the muscles. When this happens, it contracts into painful knots that limit mobility and hinder range of motion. Individuals who live a sedentary life, have undergone surgery, suffered trauma caused by an accident, or are employed in occupations that involve repetitive movements risk developing painful adhesions.

Benefits of Myofascial Release Therapy

Fascial pain differs from muscle and joint pain in that it is concentrated in certain trigger points that correlate with knotted areas in the fascia. Our chiropractor relieves the pain through myofascial release therapy. Since locating knotted areas is key to myofascial release therapy, the entire first therapy session is usually devoted to assessing several areas of the body, searching for fascial tissue that feels immovable and stiff and fails to move when light manual pressure is applied. This step is important because trigger points are often not located at the site of pain.

Once our chiropractor has located the trigger point, he will apply gentle pressure to break up the knot in the fascia that is causing pain and immobility. Myofascial release therapy takes time and requires repeated visits since it must be repeated several times and on several trigger points to completely release all pressure, restoring optimal circulation of blood, oxygen, and lymphatic fluid.

Contact Our Chiropractor in San Mateo for Myofascial Release Therapy

For more information on myofascial release or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor, call Crystal Springs Chiropractic at (650) 574-1456.