What is Myofascial Release?
We have teamed up with our friends at Live on the Edge (www.live-on-the-edge.com) to help you understand a bit more about what it is and why it could benefit you, help you recover, keep healthy and hopefully keep you injury free.
Myofascial Release has become an increasingly common form of massage treatment across the world, but, do you really know what it is?
Here we reveal some key fact about the effective sports injury treatment.
Fascia is a thin, elastic type of connective tissue that supports the human body, including muscle, tissue, tendon, bone, ligament and organs. Think of it like shrink wrap surrounding a delicate parcel.
“Myo” means muscle and “fascia” means band or sheet of connective tissue.
Fascia also reacts to stress according to PublicMentalHealth.org, not just physical impact or strain, so it’s as important for your mind as it is your physical being.
A healthy myofascial system is relaxed and offers cushioning and support to the body.
When the body is injured in any way the fascia hardens and scars, so maintaining myofascial health to keep it flexible is key. The damage can be reversed through stretching and the use of self-massage tools.
Myofascial release (or MFR) is a form of therapy that aids muscle immobility and pain. It does so by relaxing contracted muscles. As a result, more oxygen gets around your body, making for a happier, healthier system.
Self-myofasical release is a do-it-yourself option through the use of tools such as foam rollers, trigger-point balls or even tools like the HYPERICE RAPTOR.
Such tools are also a useful aid for massage therapists who want to manage their own bodies against repetitive strain.
Vibration technology is a step further, using battery enabled self-massage tools. The fascia can be worked on more easily, reducing the pain involved and with better results for circulation.
To help you understand more, Live on the Edge have shared some of their video tutorials to highlight what products are available and how to use them correctly.
These videos feature the products available through their online shop, but the techniques apply equally to similar products on the market from other retailers and manufacturers. This is not a paid for endorsement.
Upper Body
Thoracic spine with the Relaxroll
Upper back with the Relaxroll
Lower Body
Relaxroll – Foam rolling the hips
AchillX – more pin point for the hips
AchillX – Foam roll tension in the calf
Achillx- Foam roll the bottom of your feet- the base to most movements
Hypersphere- Foam rolling the bottom of your foot
Activatation with the Vyper
Hypersphere- Release overactive and tension in the lats
Hypersphere- foam roll the glute
Hypersphere- shoulder activation
Exercises to perform during a workout
Planking with the Vyper
Male:
Planking with the Vyper
Female:
Recover
Shin splints often lead to tension in the tibia, demo on how to foam roll your shins
https://youtu.be/Tgpms5LKwYw
Tension in the achilles tendon- use the AchillX (female)
Tension in the achilles tendon- use the AchillX (male)
Pin point tension in the calf- SphereX
Pin point tension in the glute- SphereX
Release back tension- Hypersphere
Find out more about the range on offer at the Live On The Edge website here.
