Myofascial approach
What is fascia?
The fascia is a membrane that encompasses different structures such as muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, etc. Composed of connective tissue, it is found everywhere in the human body, connecting several regions that are more or less distant from one another. Adhesions can be found in it due to different causes such as :
- Bad posture
- Surgery
- Trauma/inflammation
- Poor diet and lifestyle habits
- Scars
The myofascial approach
These adhesions, which may have been present for many years, are addressed by several health professionals. Physiotherapists, osteopaths and massage therapists, among others, have developed an expertise that allows them to optimize the mobility and flexibility of the fascia, which have a direct and indirect impact on various types of injuries. Myofascial approaches, such as structural myofascial therapy, consist of assessing and treating the fascia adhesions that are present around the muscles (hence the prefix “myo”). By keeping in mind the layout of the different muscle lines or chains composed of fascia, it allows the therapist to have a more global vision of the human body.
The techniques of this approach can be used alone or as a complement to other approaches used by each health professional. They are used to achieve several goals such as:
- Decrease in pain
- Increase of the articular amplitudes
- Decrease in muscle tension
- Improvement of posture
- Decrease in scar adhesions
- Promote a better control of movement
A little advice before a myofascial therapy session
Bring shorts and a camisole. Myofascial techniques are done directly on the skin.