Lately the term Self-Myofascial Release' is acquiring a lot of buzz in media, and more so in the fitness and massage world. Years ago the term could only be heard in hospitals, physical therapy clinics as well as the chiropractors office, but has now become a household name. So what exactly is Self-Myofascial Release? Well before we attempt to tackle the subject, we should understand what the fascia is.
The prefix myo-' refers to the commonly known muscles of the body. Fascia however, is a very strong, fibrous connective tissue that encompass many areas of the human body from head to toe, and keeps them in place. These parts include but are not limited to muscles, bones, joints, and organs. Some of the responsibilities of fascia are to: provide an environment for muscles to slide across each other, hold organs in their place, and transmit movement throughout the body.
It is not uncommon for individuals to develop knots within their muscles due to injury or over work. This is especially common in athletes and those who live a sedentary lifestyle. Your common knot is referred to as a trigger point the the healthcare industry. Trigger points are tangled muscles within the fascia that can cause pain and soreness if left untreated. This in turn, can also lead to a loss in range of motion and flexibility of muscles. By massaging these points, you signal to the brain to release that muscle area from the surrounding fascia. This is called Myofascial Release.
It is now possible to do SMR in the comfort of your own home, or even at the office. All you need is the proper equipment such as foam rollers, or massage balls. This is the reason SMR has gained a lot of recognition in recent years. Gone are the days where you have to travel to the spa just to get a deep, beneficial massage.
Just think of SMR as a massage. But not just any massage, in that it requires the average person to actively search for trigger points within one's body, and release it themselves. A foam roller utilizes the individuals body weight to apply deep pressure to targeted trigger points, by rolling on top of the device on the floor. Whereas massage balls can be manipulated across the chest, thighs as well as other areas of the body. SMR can relieve pain, increase blood circulation, and increase flexibility and range of motion.
The prefix myo-' refers to the commonly known muscles of the body. Fascia however, is a very strong, fibrous connective tissue that encompass many areas of the human body from head to toe, and keeps them in place. These parts include but are not limited to muscles, bones, joints, and organs. Some of the responsibilities of fascia are to: provide an environment for muscles to slide across each other, hold organs in their place, and transmit movement throughout the body.
It is not uncommon for individuals to develop knots within their muscles due to injury or over work. This is especially common in athletes and those who live a sedentary lifestyle. Your common knot is referred to as a trigger point the the healthcare industry. Trigger points are tangled muscles within the fascia that can cause pain and soreness if left untreated. This in turn, can also lead to a loss in range of motion and flexibility of muscles. By massaging these points, you signal to the brain to release that muscle area from the surrounding fascia. This is called Myofascial Release.
It is now possible to do SMR in the comfort of your own home, or even at the office. All you need is the proper equipment such as foam rollers, or massage balls. This is the reason SMR has gained a lot of recognition in recent years. Gone are the days where you have to travel to the spa just to get a deep, beneficial massage.
Just think of SMR as a massage. But not just any massage, in that it requires the average person to actively search for trigger points within one's body, and release it themselves. A foam roller utilizes the individuals body weight to apply deep pressure to targeted trigger points, by rolling on top of the device on the floor. Whereas massage balls can be manipulated across the chest, thighs as well as other areas of the body. SMR can relieve pain, increase blood circulation, and increase flexibility and range of motion.
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