Fascia is a thin yet strong, fibrous connective tissue which spreads throughout the body and performs functions such as enveloping and isolating the muscles of the body, providing structural support and protection. There are three layers of fascia in our body. The superficial layer is below the skin and connects the skin to the tissues and bone underneath it. This layer is usually mixed with various amounts of adipose tissue. The deep fascia layer covers the muscles in connective tissue which help to keep the muscles divided and protected. This layer is usually the culprit with diagnoses such as myofascial pain syndrome. The subserous fascia is a more supple and accommodating fascia that lies between the deep fascia and the major organs of the body so that the organs have room to move liberally. This layer may also establish restrictions and cause pain for people.
Sometimes the deep fascia layer develops restrictions and adhesions that create triggers points that cause pain with palpation and/or movement. To release these restrictions, decrease pain, and restore motion, we use myofascial release techniques. These techniques consist of gentle sustained pressure in the direction of the fascial restrictions. This low load pressure will help elongate and release restrictions so that our body can move freely without pain for all activities that we sustain in our daily lives.