Myofascial Therapy — Jessica Limpkin

Introduction to Myofascial Therapy

Myofascial Therapy is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.

Myofascia is the name given to the part of the connective tissue system (fascia) beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses and separates every muscle of the body.

When the fascia is in its normal healthy state it is a relaxed and supple web - like the weave in a loose-knit sweater. When it is restricted, it is more rigid and less pliable, and can create pulls, tensions, and pressure.

The fascia is a continuous system, running from head to tail and has three layers:

Superficial fascia, which lies directly below the skin. It stores fat and water, allows nerves to run through it, and allows muscle to move the skin.
Deep fascia, which surrounds and infuses with muscle, bone, nerves, and blood vessels to the cellular level.
Deepest fascia, which sits within the dura of cranial sacral system.

Fascia restrictions can occur within any or all of the layers.

Tightness of the tissues can restrict motion or pull the body out of alignment, causing the horse to feel a sense of excessive pressure on muscles or joints that produces pain.

Application

Myofascial therapy techniques are designed to go in and smooth out those hard knots, returning the fascia to its normal fluid and adaptable self.

A gentle, sustained pressure is applied to points of restriction, allowing the connective tissue to release.

The important factor of Myofascial Therapy is the depth of the therapy and the time element.

This is a very gentle therapy but the effects are profound and the horse often displays emotional as well as physical releases during Myofascial Therapy.