Education

I’ve been going to see Registered Massage Therapists for the last 7 years, and from the very first treatment I knew things were happening that I didn’t quite grasp. This wasn’t the usual Swedish Relaxation technique that I had become accustomed to.

When I asked my massage therapist at the time what she was doing, she said she was releasing my fascia. My what? I didn’t truly understand what that meant or how it was benefiting me, but I liked how it felt and that was all I needed to know at the time.

Since working with Registered Massage Therapists at Spruce Body Lab, I’ve come to appreciate that each person has their style of massage and techniques of choice, but when looking at their bios, myofascial release predominates as a technique of choice. So, my curiosity has been peaked and I’ve decided once and for all to simplify this terminology into manageable terms that you and I can appreciate.

Basically, myofascial release refers to the direct or indirect manipulation of the fascia that is connected to our muscles. This fascia is made up of connective tissue, such as collagen that connects and surrounds our muscles, organs and skin. When fascia becomes rigid due to tension, the restriction leads to a lack of blood flow which in the long run can lead to pain and somatic dysfunction (altered or impaired function of the musculo-skeletal system).

By working on releasing the trigger points and tension in the fascia, other fascia is also relaxed, like a chain reaction. Thus, pain is relieved and musculo-skeletal alignment can be corrected. This not only benefits our muscles, but our skin, organs and joints- as they are all surrounded by connective tissue.

So the next time you’re on the massage table, you’ll no longer be wondering what on earth is going on and how and why it is working. There is a definite science and technique behind it- and it doesn’t have to be mystifying.

By the way- many people assume that in order for a massage to be effective, it needs to be deep and painful. In fact, this is not the case. In using indirect myofascial release, massage therapists can effectively release tension by using very slight pressure to unwind tension- working deeply without pain.

It seems as though as the days get shorter, I have more that I need to fit into them! The winter months can spell added work and life stresses that compound to cause low energy levels, headaches and muscular tension, insomnia and a weakened immune system.   

Did you know that regular massage therapy has been shown to alleviate the aforementioned ailments? 

Massage therapy does not replace regular exercise and eating well, but there is nothing that can deliver the same level of relaxation that massage therapy can.  For instance, in a yoga class, you are undoubtedly doing something good for your body by stretching your muscles, gaining strength and bringing circulation and tension relief to the muscles and connective tissue of the body. That being said, you’re actively engaging in this process; massage therapy allows you to shut off both mentally and physically. Not only are you enjoying the physiological benefits to releasing muscles tension and correcting postural alignments- massage therapy maintains your optimal energy and health.

Regular massage treatments boost your immune system through increasing the activity level of natural killer cells- which fend off viruses and abnormal cells. When your immune system is working well, you’re not dragged down by fatigue and better able to cope with daily stresses.

Those natural killer cells- yes, that is an actual scientific term- can sure come in handy these days with all the colds and flus flying around.  And with the limited daylight- I still want to feel energized and ready to take on the day, even if the sun isn’t joining me at the usual hour. So with that said, if I MUST make the time for massage, I think that I could be persuaded…

How do you manage fatigue and stress? Post your comments here…

Related Links:

RMT Massage 

Geo Thermal Stone Therapy