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 Myofascial Techniques & More
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Fascia is the most pervasive tissue in our body.
It engulfs and wraps every part of us...
from muscles & organs... to individual tissue cells.



Myofascial  Techniques  &  More



Fascia... The Ocean within us...

"Myofascial" comes from the Greek "myo" for "muscle"... and "fascia" for "band" of connective tissue.  The type of connective tissue generally referred to as "fascia" is the more elastic type.  In its healthy state, it should provide both support for internal structures and appropriate movement.  When it dries out, shrinks, hardens and becomes dysfunctional... it restricts movement and it strangles other structures like Nerve & Blood Vessels... and anything else it surrounds like organs.  The functions of these body parts and structures then become impaired.

Fascia has been compared to the oceans of the world.  This 3 dimensional mass has no beginning and it has no end.  And like the oceans, fascia is one pervasive mass that engulfs every part of us... big and small.  That is why it is so important to understand this tissue and to work with it in therapy treatments.  Fascia is generally involved in any chronic condition or "disease".

     By improving the quality of fascia, people become less injury prone which protects an active body from sports and occupational injuries.When fascia becomes hard and dehydrated, it restricts flow and movement. This contributes to circulatory problems, joint stiffness and pinched nerves.
                                                  Between "tempest tossed" or a "dried out bay"...
                                                 "Smooth Sailing" seems to be a desirable choice.



Myofascial aspects of Therapies & Techniques...

In a way, most all therapies & techniques can have an important Myofascial aspect.  Some techniques are light, and some are more deep or aggressive.  Some are better for different types of fascia, such as dense connective tissues.  Treatment goals usually focus on creating space within tissues, so as to allow an increase in motion, so as to facilitate and improve physical & physiological functions throughout our body.

Joel Safran, RMT had over 20 years of training and experience in Fascial Techniques.  Working with the Myofascial Systems of our body is an important aspect of the Massage Therapy he provides.  For example, this is how he works with the following techniques:

Neuromuscular Therapy...
addresses not only Muscles, Nerves and Circulation Vessels,
but also the layers of Fascia that surrounds these structures.

Craniosacral Therapy...
addresses the restrictions found in the Membranes of this system,
and in the Sutures & Articulations of the Cranial Bones.

Structural Integration Techniques...
addresses postural distortions and their related fascial layers.
Dense & Elastic Fascial layers are treated in a more forceful way.

Unwinding Myofascial Release Techniques...
addresses Fascia in a gentle, slow, passively subtle way.
The Therapist induces and follows the release until complete.

Visceral Manipulation...
addresses restrictions in and around each Organ and suspending structures.

Myofascial Release...
addresses Fascia in a gentle and slowly stretching way.

OtherTechniques...
It is important that a Therapist understands the Myofacial aspect
of each technique and uses it in an appropriate and effective way.

Fascia Relates to Life...

It is believed that "the Energy of life" in Acupunctural Meridians, travels through the Fascial System of our body... from head to toe.  Fascia is also the material from which adhesions and scar tissue are formed.  Scaring or injury is the major cause of pain and impaired motion... and the loss of energy.  Therefore, most chronic conditions are probably a result of old injury issues involving Fascia.

There are Systemic type conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Myofascial Pain, and Chronic Fatigue...  There are the more specific injury type conditions such as Whiplash, Frozen Shoulder, Scoliosis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, TMJ disorders, and many others.  In each case, the appropriate treatment of the Myofascial aspect is usually advisable and warranted.


Life is motion... and motion is Life...
The more motion, fluidity and grace,
the happier and healthier is life.

This practice is based on the principles of Osteopathy
and the utilization of Osteopathic Techniques


Joel Safran, LMT
25 years of experience
(704) 246-7888