In a myofascial therapy session, we look at what's going on in your body. Often the body tries to communicate that something is not quite right. It may present as illness, pain, tightness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight imbalances, anxiety, or other emotions.

The body is a self-repairing mechanism. With touch, we can initiate this self-healing function. The system and structures are always listening and trying to sort themselves out. Touch can help to unlock something or enhance the process to support it. By treating a specific area of restriction, your body will start to take note of it and automatically increase the blood supply, clearing the area by removing wastes and providing it with oxygen and nutrients.

Touch helps us connect with ourselves and feel what is happening inside us. Being touched mindfully sends signals of safety and trust to our brains. This is when good-feel hormones are released, making it easier to relax and release

Vagus nerve stimulation, using touch and breath, allows the heart rate and blood pressure to drop and your nervous system to slow down, making you feel calmer, more compassionate, and giving more clarity. Increasing vagal activity is like a brake on the body's stress response, helping you develop a healthy stress response and become more resilient.

Fascial release happens by transferring heat, pressure and frictional movement from the practitioner's hand to the fascia (connective tissue) so it becomes more flexible, elastic and palpable. Fascial release loosens up any restricted areas, and with that, it frees up the underlying structures gaining symmetry, alignment and mobility.

Deep breathing during the massage helps to turn down the fight-or-flight response and activates the rest-and-digest system, which allows you to relax. You are basically retraining and rewiring your brain and creating new, healthy pathways.

Focussed breathing to local areas of pain, tightness and sensitivity brings awareness to what is going on in your body and allows the tissue to soften and create space for the surrounding tissue. 

Conscious breathing in and out through your nose helps to cultivate energy. It allows you to shake things off that weigh you down and use the reconnecting to your breath to reawaken your energy so that you can move and live with a clear and more focused mind. 

Mindful movement of the body improves circulation, which helps the immune function and the recovery from stressful events. Movement reduces pain and deepens the relaxation of the fascia, muscles and other soft tissues.

Assisted stretches lead to the continued ability to move, whereas stillness leads to stiffness. Stretching helps your flexibility and blood circulation, reducing pain, stiffness and injury risk.

Creating balance by removing tension from the body requires both firm and gentle touch. Firm touch promotes the release of the fascia and other soft tissues, whereas gentle touch is needed to allow change to happen.

It’s always important to speak to your GP to rule out any serious health condition before seeing a fascial release therapist.

You can receive all these benefits by booking any of the massages I offer at the Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre.

·  Myofascial release

·  Soft Tissue Therapy

Please visit Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre at www.chhc.co.uk for more information and bookings, or book here.