One question I get from clients all the time is: “What’s the difference between Myofascial Release and massage?” I get it, you’re trying to figure out which practitioner to work with, and the differences between different types of soft tissue therapies can be very confusing. By the end of this article, you’ll understand the difference between Myofascial release therapy and massage.
To understand the difference between Myofascial Release and massage we must first cover where Myofascial Release comes from. In the 1950s, there were primarily two types of soft tissue practitioners: Rolfers, and massage therapists who practiced primary Swedish massage. While many have not heard of Rolfing before, Rolfing is a worldwide famous technique. Rolfing was created my Ida Rolf in Colorado who drew inspiration from Thai massage, yoga, and osteopathy to create a method that attempted to realign the body and release soft tissue adhesions.
Ida Rolf’s students were greatly inspired by what they learned and wanted to bring the techniques of Rolfing massage therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare practitioners. There was, however, one major problem: Rolfing was a trademarked technique, so they would have to call it something else. Hence, Myofascial Release was born.
The term “Myofascial Release Therapy” was coined in the 1960s by Robert Ward, an osteopath who studied with Ida Rolf. Ward, along with physical therapist John Barnes, are considered the two primary founders of Myofascial Release. So, are Myofascial Release and Rolfing exactly the same? No, not exactly. Just as there are differences from practitioner to practitioner, when Ward and Barnes broke away and started Myofascial Release, they started to do things slightly differently. They generally moved toward longer holds and more gentile techniques, and they didn’t take Ida Rolf’s exact, “10 series” approach. That said, comparing the two is kind of like comparing naval oranges to Valencia oranges: mostly the same effect, slightly different techniques.
Since massage therapists were already healing people with their hands, they were a prime target for Myofascial Release Workshops. Furthermore, since they were already touching people, it was easy for them to integrate Myofascial Release Techniques with general massage therapy. That’s why the difference between massage therapy and Myofascial Release is so confusing: because massage therapists who learned Myofascial Release are making Myofascial Release part of their massage therapy sessions. And, if you didn’t know what was explicitly as “Myofascial Release Technique” vs a “Massage Technique,” you might have an impossible time telling the difference.
As a quick list, here are the technical differences between Myofascial Release and massage therapy:
1. Myofascial Release Therapy is most specific than general massage therapy. While massage therapy is focused on targets such as relaxation and increased blood flow, Myofascial Release Therapy is targeting specific structures involved in restrictions.
2. Myofascial Release Therapy focuses on longer holds. In order to address restricted areas, Myofascial release often involves a longer time spent in one area vs gliding strokes.
3. Myofascial Release Technique involves a higher level of assessment. You can expect a skilled active release practitioner to use more assessments such as passive range of motion to screen for restrictions.
Pain Solutions Massage Therapy & Personal Training
Phone: 415.518.2125
Email: ben.beeler2014@gmail.com
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:30am-10am, 1pm-7pm
Wednesday: 8:30am-10am, 1pm-7pm
Thursday: 8:30am-10am, 1pm-7pm
Friday: 8:30am-10am, 1pm-6:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 2pm-6:30pm
