Your myofascial tissue is a network of tissue that spreads throughout your whole body. It surrounds all the muscles in your body, as well as supporting the internal organs. This tissue is normally flexible and elastic. However, stress and anxiety, overuse, or injury can cause your myofascial tissue to become tight. This results in pressure points, which are areas of tense muscle and tissue that are often found in the back and shoulders.
Physicians who specialize in musculoskeletal pain report that at least 27% of their patients suffered from myofascial trigger points. These trigger points can be very painful and can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks that require back and shoulder movement. While over-the-counter pain medications may help temporarily, most experts recommend myofascial release physical therapy to treat myofascial pain.
What are the benefits of myofascial release therapy?
Myofascial release physical therapy is designed to relax and normalize trigger points by applying pressure to tight areas. A physical therapist may use their hands or special devices to apply force to your soft tissue. This type of physical therapy has many benefits, including:
- Reducing pain symptoms — Myofascial release therapy helps reduce the pain from tight and tense tissue. It achieves this by loosening stiff tissue and increasing circulation to the affected area.
- Restoring mobility — When your tissue is stiff and tight, it can be difficult to move your shoulder or other affected areas properly. Relaxing your tight myofascial tissue will help you move freely again. The manual techniques used by physical therapists also help break up scar tissue that may be impeding your movement.
- Preventing muscle injury — Tight and tense muscles can grow worse if left untreated. Muscle strain, tendinitis and shoulder impingements are all injuries that can occur when your tense muscles are overused.Â
- Relieving stress — You may feel sore after your myofascial release therapy. However, the increased circulation and increased mobility in your tissue will help relieve physical stress that has contributed to your myofascial pain and stiffness.
Where can I turn for myofascial release therapy near me?
If your myofascial trigger points are preventing you from going about your daily routine without pain, turn to the experts at Whatcom Physical Therapy for relief. We have years of experience in treating many common complaints, including:
Our goal is to help each and every patient improve their quality of life by treating pain at its source. A free screening can help us get to the bottom of your pain symptoms. From there, our team of experienced physical therapy specialists can create a treatment plan suited to your individual needs.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.Â
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