Benefits of Myofascial Release Therapy
If you have been injured after something has gone wrong during your fitness program, you will need the best possible treatment you can receive. Some turn to traditional remedies such as bathing in ice, others receive various forms of physiotherapy while a growing number of professional athletes and amateur fitness fanatics will turn to something a little more left field called myofascial release therapy in the hope that their ailments will become a thing of the past. For anyone suffering sprains or strains, it can be hard to find the right treatment.
Myofascial release therapy, alternatively known as ‘skin rolling’ is a treatment designed to help make sprains disappear, and has been proven to work effectively in a way that many similar treatments for those type of injuries have failed. How it works is that the fascia, the layer of tissue between your skin and muscles, is lift up a small roll of skin on your back and push up so that a roll is still apparent across the length of your spine.
This therapy is something that is used alongside massage, stretching and even forms of manipulation, and for anyone who exercises on a daily basis and wants to recover quickly from strains and sprains, is a godsend. The fitter you are, the less likely you are to need myofascial release therapy.
It comes with a number of benefits. Myofascial release can be easy to do, is relatively pain-free, can release any of the tension built up in your fascia, restores healthy flow between your fascia and your skin and helps to improve your blood flow. This form of treatment doesn’t take too long to receive either, while the effects can be felt gradually as the pressure is released. If you have a sprain for whatever reason, then myofascial release may be the treatment for you.
Can I do it myself?
Self myofascial release therapy can be done using a foam roller, these are the thick tubes of brightly colored foam you probably see around your gym. With the roller on the floor position the muscles which need treating onto it and start slowly rolling the tight knots out (like a rolling pin on dough). If there’s an area which is quite tender remain still and apply pressure for 5 seconds and continue to roll it out, repeat this 3-5 times for the area.
About the Author
Puneet is a personal trainer and nutritionist from Leeds, United Kingdom. You can visit his fitness blog at ReflexionsOfAPT.com and follow on Twitter: @ReflexionsOfAPT
