Introduction to Myofascial Therapy

Welcome to my blog.

This week I am going to talk about Myofascial Therapy. One of the therapies I offer along side hands-on massage techniques.

Fascia is a bit of a buzz word at the moment. More and more people are learning about the fascia, what it is, what is does and how Myofascial Therapy can help a vast array of issues in the body for both humans and animals, including horses.

The subject can get pretty in depth, however in this blog I would just like to give an introduction, so that if you ever see me using these techniques on your horses during treatment you have an idea of what the therapy is, and how it may benefit your horse.

So what is Myofascia?

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. Those of you that eat/prepare meat may have seen this white, stringy substance before when preparing your meals?

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.

How is Myofascial Therapy Applied?

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.

What are the benefits of Myofascial Therapy?

There are many benefits to Myofascial Therapy, these include:

• Reduction of inflammation

• Reduction of muscle and nerve pain

• Decreasing fascial tension

• Stretching and elongating tissues

• Increase of power, strength and endurance

• Increase metabolic efficiency

• Increase biomechanical efficiency

If you would like to find out more about Myofascial Therapy or would like to book a treatment for your horse please do get in touch.

Thank you for visiting my blog, next week I will be discussing another of the therapies I use during treatments, Trigger Point Therapy.

Thanks again,

Jess x