Self Myofascial Release
By: Arnold Schwarz | Posted: 26th July 2007
Self Myofascial Release (SMFR) is a technique that, when done properly, can return fascia to its original, flexible state. Over time fascia builds up knots, or trigger points due to trauma to the muscle. These knots are basically scar tissue that have built up, inhibiting fascia from efficiently performing its duties. However, before understanding why these trigger points can negatively affect the fascia, you must first understand what fascia is.
Fascia is a sheath that surrounds muscle, bone, and organs, among other things in the human body. It is exists, uninterrupted, from head to toe and provides stability and protection for everything that it surrounds. Various stresses can cause the fascia to become traumatized causing it to adapt. Unfortunately, when the fascia repairs itself it leaves behind scar tissue that is very tough and, over time, can cause problems for your body. Sports injuries, falling down, car accidents, and repetitive stressful actions at your daily job are just a few things that can cause damage to the fascia. This fascial trauma can cause poor posture, muscular imbalanaces, poor flexibility, and even tension headaches.
Self Myofascial Release breaks up this scar tissue which can return the fascia to its uninterrupted state. As a result, you can increase your flexibility, improve your posture, decrease muscular soreness, and even relive stress and tension headaches. All you need is 10-20 minutes out of your day, and a foam roll. You slowly roll your body along the foam roll until you find a trigger point. A trigger point is a spot of scar tissue that is very sensitive to palpation. You will know when you find one because it is not a pleasant feeling. After you find a trigger point, you apply pressure for 30 seconds or until pain decrease by 75%. Then, you would roll a little more and find another spot and repeat the same technique. For video demonstrations of many Self Myofascial Release techniques, please visit my website Self Myofascial Release Tehcniques and Demonstrations. Here you can learn how to rejuvenate your body.
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Tags: stress, organs, posture, human body, stresses, car accidents, scar tissue, knots, trauma, sheath, tension headaches, trigger points, poor posture, sports injuries, video demonstrations