Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR)

Experience Relief with Clinical Myofascial Release Therapy

At Feel Better Bristol, Zoe and Becki run one of the region’s first clinics dedicated to providing Myofascial Release Therapy, serving Bristol and North Somerset. This gentle technique, developed by physiotherapist John F. Barnes, uses sustained, hands-on pressure to soften restrictions in the fascial system – known contributors to chronic pain, tension, and inflammation.

Using healing, compassionate touch, we aim to help you find relief from pain and tightness, recover from injuries, and improve mobility, function and ease in your body. It is a highly effective, whole-body approach to managing pain and dysfunction. Whether you’re dealing with tight muscles, pain, or recovering from illness or surgery, myofascial therapy in Bristol offers support that is gentle and lasting.

What is “fascia”?

Fascia is the strong, connective tissue that surrounds and supports every muscle, bone, organ, and cell in the body. When healthy, fascia is fluid and flexible. But after injury, surgery, or prolonged stress, it can become tight or rigid—restricting movement and causing discomfort. Research shows fascia plays a role in cellular communication and is part of every cell in the body (5).

Zoe and Becki will tailor your treatment to best support your needs, drawing on their extensive joint experience working with adults and children experiencing scar tissue, trauma, pelvic floor dysfunction, cancer recovery, and sports injuries.

Why myofascial release?

Myofascial Release (MFR) targets the root cause of dysfunction rather than just symptoms. It’s a safe, gentle and effective therapy for working on relieving fascial restrictions throughout the body, making it ideal for chronic pain, injury recovery, post-surgical healing, or simply restoring ease of movement.

At Feel Better Bristol, we tailor every session to your needs – whether you’re dealing with pain, recovering from illness, or managing conditions like scar tissue, trauma, pelvic dysfunction, or cancer-related tension.

What to expect during treatment

Your first session begins with a thorough assessment to understand your goals. Initial appointments are 90 minutes, with follow-ups available in 60- or 90-minute sessions, allowing ample time for the slower techniques to be effective.

MFR is performed without oil and usually with minimal clothing to allow clear access to the fascia. Your therapist uses skilled, responsive hands to identify and follow lines of restriction. Techniques may feel subtle but often create significant, long-lasting change. Comfort and communication are central to every session.

MFR therapy is often deeply relaxing and satisfying. The benefits of myofascial release therapy go beyond the physical to enhance your overall wellness. The slow, sustained movements are not painful, although some mild ‘therapeutic’ discomfort may be experienced. Some techniques are subtle and gentle, while others target deeper layers of the fascia more directly.

Alongside physical treatment, we encourage self treatment to maximise your results from therapy, and provide advice to help you strengthen weak areas and improve flexibility, and enhance movement awareness.

How may myofascial release help me?

• Reduce chronic pain and tension
• Improve flexibility and mobility
• Support post-injury or post-surgical recovery
• Soften and improve scar tissue
• Relieve stress and promote deep relaxation
• Enhance overall wellbeing and body awareness
• Reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation
• Boost athletic performance and recovery
• Help children feel more at ease in their bodies

Who may benefit from Myofascial Release Therapy?

MFR is suitable for a wide range of people, including:

• Individuals with persistent or complex pain
• Post-operative patients
• People recovering from cancer
• Anyone managing stress, anxiety, or trauma
• Athletes aiming to prevent or recover from injury
• Women with pelvic floor dysfunction or birth-related trauma
• Children with musculoskeletal or sensory-driven challenges

At Feel Better Bristol, we work with adults and children using MFR to support recovery, regulation, and healing. Many clients come to us after other approaches have offered only short-term relief. MFR gently supports the body’s ability to heal and reset itself – often providing long-lasting results.

Whether you’re recovering from injury or managing chronic pain, myofascial therapy offers a gentle, effective solution for many in Bristol

Our practitioner Zoe also provides treatments to children who may be experiencing musculoskeletal problems or anxiety driven conditions. Children often respond quickly and positively to bodywork and many children say they look forward to their sessions.

Commonly asked questions

How many sessions will I need? It depends on your goals and how long your symptoms have been present. Some people feel significant change in just a few sessions, while others with more chronic conditions may benefit from ongoing support.

Is it safe? Yes! MFR is extremely gentle and safe for all ages and fitness levels.

What should I wear? Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to your skin – vest tops and shorts are ideal. Avoid using moisturiser before your session so your practitioner can work more effectively.

What does the evidence say? Emerging research continues to support MFR as a valuable treatment for chronic pain, postural imbalance, and conditions like fibromyalgia and low back pain.

Key findings include:

• ✅ Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain:
• A review of 12 high-quality studies (randomised controlled trials) found that Myofascial Release significantly reduces pain in people with long-term musculoskeletal issues.
• ✅ Knee Osteoarthritis:
• In a trial involving 40 participants, those who received MFR experienced less pain and better knee function compared to those who didn’t.
• ✅ Chronic Neck Pain:
• Another study with 64 patients showed that MFR helped reduce neck pain and improve range of motion.
• ✅ Cancer-Related Pain:
• MFR has also been shown to ease cancer-related pain and support comfort in palliative care settings.
• ✅ Chronic Low Back Pain:
• A systematic review and meta-analysis found that MFR led to significant improvements in both pain and mobility for people living with persistent low back pain.
• ✅ Fibromyalgia:
• Research into MFR for fibromyalgia reported better sleep, reduced pain, and improved quality of life for patients after treatment.

References

1. Chaitow, L. (2003) Clinical application of myofascial trigger point therapy. Churchill Livingstone.
2. Brattberg, G., Selem, S., & Sjölund, B. (2009) Effects of myofascial trigger point manual therapy in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 41(6), 419-428.
3. Langevin, H. M., Sherman, K. J., Wu, G., Taatjes, D. J., & Butler, D. S. (2011) Connective tissue: a body-wide signalling network? Medical hypotheses, 76(5), 662-669.
4. Lee SH, Kim JY, Kim SH et al. (2015) Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy on Cancer Pain. Integr Cancer Ther. Jul;14(4):297-304.  
5. Pischinger, A. (2007) The Extracellular Matrix and Ground Regulation: Basis for a Holistic Biological Medicine.
6. Ughreja RA, Venkatesan P, Balebail Gopalakrishna D, Singh YP. Effectiveness of myofascial release on pain, sleep, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 Nov;45:101477.
7. Wu, Z et al. (2021) Myofascial Release for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Med. Jul 28:8.697986

Ready to Feel Better?