Pain, tension, and stiffness don’t always point toward a problem in your muscles. There are instances when these symptoms stem from your fascia, the connective tissue that envelops your muscles, bones, joints, and organs.
In such cases, you don’t have to look far for myofascial release near you. Dr. Bijan Nowzari, chiropractor at More Life Chiropractic in Burbank, CA, provides myofascial release therapy. He combines it with chiropractic care, spinal decompression, and others under one roof, so your fascial and structural injuries can heal together.
Myofascial release therapy is a hands-on soft tissue treatment that applies sustained pressure to your fascia to release adhesions and, in turn, help restore movement.
Fascial restrictions form for a handful of reasons, such as:
Over time, the affected fascia can develop into dense fibers with poor mobility and flexibility, causing surrounding muscles to compensate. Those muscles then become overworked, which may ultimately lead to further injury.
Fascia is very elastic, meaning tight areas tend to stay tight. Quick strokes and rhythmic pressure, common in typical massages, may not give the affected fascia enough time to relax. This is why myofascial release primarily uses deep, sustained pressure.
Myofascial release is also systematic. Dr. Nowzari begins treatment by assessing your posture and movement and palpating for areas of density and trigger points. He then proceeds with treatment, applying continuous pressure for 90 seconds to several minutes at each site, then reassesses the treated tissue before moving on to the next.
Like most modalities, myofascial release therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. Each of these conditions responds differently to this approach.
Fascial restrictions form quickly after acute trauma, such as falls and car accidents. This is why getting treated as soon as possible is essential; More Life Chiropractic’s myofascial release chiropractor applies sustained pressure to these areas to break up newly formed adhesions before they develop into scar tissue.
Myofascial pain syndrome produces trigger points, also known as knots, which are tight bands of muscle that refer pain to other parts of your body. Dr. Nowzari places pressure on these knots to disrupt the pain pattern, allowing nearby tissue to relax.
A 2021 systematic review found that myofascial release therapy helps improve pain, sleep, and quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia. That said, treatment needs to be lighter, slower, and shorter because excessive deep pressure can cause symptoms to flare up.
Scar tissue and fascial adhesions may develop during healing, restricting your mobility for months or even years after you recover. Dr. Nowzari uses fascial therapy to lengthen the affected tissue incrementally, helping restore mobility over time.
Frozen shoulders and stiff hips often involve thickened fascia around a joint that limits its range of motion. The clinic incorporates myofascial therapy and joint mobilization into your care plan to address both joint and soft tissue restrictions for a more complete recovery.
Structural injury and fascial restrictions typically go hand in hand. Treating tight fascia without correcting the underlying joint problem only causes the affected fascia to tighten again. As such, Dr. Nowzari often integrates myofascial release therapy with other modalities.
Myofascial work typically comes first to prepare the injured fascia. While it’s flexible, your chiropractor performs gentle adjustments to address imbalances and restrictions that contribute to your fascial problem and related musculoskeletal issues.
Decompression helps reduce pressure from herniated or bulging discs on nearby nerves. Then, myofascial release addresses the fascia that becomes strained in your lower back and hips, supporting spinal mobility.
IASTM uses rounded instruments to reach denser adhesions and scar tissue beyond what manual manipulation can comfortably treat. Dr. Nowzari typically performs myofascial release either beforehand to prepare superficial layers of tissue or afterward to soften and relax the treated area.
Let’s go over what typically happens during a myofascial release therapy program to keep you informed every step of the way.
It’s normal to experience mild soreness for up to 48 hours following your first few visits, and it usually resolves without medication.
While myofascial release therapy is beneficial for many patients, it isn’t appropriate for certain conditions:
Patients with osteoporosis or fibromyalgia, those on blood-thinning medication, and pregnant individuals require lighter therapies and clearance from their physician before starting.
Many people confuse these approaches, which makes sense since they appear similar at first glance. For your information, here’s how they differ:
| Modality | What It Targets | What It Involves | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Tissue Massage | Tight muscles | Slow, deep strokes along muscle fibers | General muscle relaxation |
| Trigger Point Therapy | Tight knots and bands | Direct pressure on the trigger point | Localized, referred pain from nearby knots |
| IASTM | Dense adhesions and scar tissue | Short, controlled strokes using rounded instruments | Post-surgical adhesions, repetitive strain injuries |
| Myofascial Release Therapy | Fascia | Sustained hands-on pressure | Widespread fascial restrictions and mobility issues |
Dr. Bijan Nowzari earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences in 2015. He’s a member of the Ichthus Injury Network, which helps patients connect with other practitioners for documented, coordinated care.
He founded More Life Chiropractic to provide treatments that not only address the reason behind your condition but also foster an optimal clinical environment where you can recover comfortably.
Let’s guide your body back toward balance. Reach out to More Life Chiropractic in Burbank for myofascial release therapy that can free up your movement and make daily tasks comfortable again. Book a consultation with us today!
Ready to receive results-driven care? Skip your search for a “chiropractor near me” and reach out to More Life Chiropractic. Dr. Nowzari, our trusted chiropractor in Burbank, will walk you through your options and answer your questions to help you confidently begin your recovery journey. Book a consultation today!
