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Myofascial release (MFR, self-myofascial release) is an alternative medicine therapy claimed to be useful for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles.

Fascia is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective tissue that wraps most structures within the human body, including muscle. Fascia supports and protects these structures. Osteopathic practice holds that this soft tissue can become restricted due to psychogenic disease, overuse, trauma, infectious agents, or inactivity, often resulting in pain, muscle tension and corresponding diminished blood flow.

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a therapeutic technique often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, specifically Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)12. MPS is characterized by localized, taut regions of skeletal muscle and fascia, known as trigger points1. These trigger points can lead to stiffness, fatigue, tenderness, pain, muscle spasm and contraction, and limited range of joint motion2.

MFR is a non-pharmacological method that can be applied in two different ways, utilizing direct myofascial release involving slow, sustained pressure applied to areas of muscular tension1. Therapeutic physical modalities such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, laser therapy, and other therapeutic physical modalities have been demonstrated to improve the pain symptoms, joint mobility, psychological state, and quality of life in patients with MPS2.

The curative effect of therapeutic physical modalities is found to be possibly associated with increased blood perfusion and oxygen supply in ischemic tissues, reduced hyperalgesia in the peripheral and central nerves, and decreased involuntary muscle contractions2. However, the consensus is currently lacking regarding the optimal treatment paradigm, therapeutic parameters, and mutual combination of therapeutic physical modalities2.

While MFR has shown promise as a safe and effective therapeutic option for MPS, further high-quality clinical trials are required to promote the evidence-based application of therapeutic physical modalities for MPS2.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00877-5

https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-023-06418-6