18/11/2025
Recently I read an item from a manual therapist that implied that Myofascial Release therapy is often painful.
As a therapist, who almost solely focuses on working on the soft tissue called fascia, I couldn’t disagree more with this statement and here’s why:-
My therapy is a gentle hands on treatment. I am constantly assessing the feel of the body’s tissues and adapting my treatment accordingly.
Heat from my hands is used on the skin and after a minute or so there is a sensation of my hands sinking or melting into the skin to connect with muscles and tissues below skin level.
I then wait for movement in and around the area I’m working on and follow those movements with my hands.
Yes sensations may be felt by the person I am treating. These are often described a tingling, prickling, fizzing or the area becomes very warm, sometimes hot.
If any pain if felt I ask to be told immediately as this is what I don’t want. It doesn’t mean I have to stop but I can ease out of the movement to stop the discomfort.
I have no objection to anyone who finds pain in their treatment therapeutic and necessary, that is a personal choice. As a practitioner I no longer subscribe to the theory of no pain no gain with manual therapy.
So if this sounds more like the treatment you would like to help with any musculoskeletal issues have a look at my website detailed in the bio at the top of my page and feel free to get in touch for further information or book an appointment.
