Myofascial Release Therapy in NYC
Manhattan Physical Therapy
What Is Myofascial Release Therapy?
Myofascial release therapy is a gentle, hands-on technique that focuses on the fascia — the continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, bones, nerves, and organs. When fascia becomes tight or restricted due to injury, poor posture, stress, or repetitive strain, you may experience pain or limited movement.
During treatment, the therapist applies steady, controlled pressure to areas of restriction. This helps soften the fascia, reduce tension, and restore normal mobility. Many NYC patients seek this therapy when stiffness starts affecting walking, working, or even sitting through a long commute.
What Is Fascia and Why Does It Matter?
Fascia acts like a supportive, protective network that covers every structure in your body. You can imagine it as an interconnected web — when one area tightens, the tension may pull elsewhere, creating discomfort far from the original problem.
Healthy fascia moves smoothly. But after trauma, surgery, inflammation, or ongoing strain, the tissue can thicken and lose flexibility. This leads to restricted motion, sharp or dull aches, and a general feeling of stiffness.
Because fascia is continuous, tension in one region — such as the hip, back, or neck — may create symptoms in a completely different area. That’s why myofascial release can be so effective for patients who haven’t found relief through stretching or standard massage alone.
Is Myofascial Release the Same as Trigger Point Therapy?
Myofascial release therapy is closely related to trigger point therapy because both approaches address tight nodules within the fascial tissue. These small, hardened points — often described as knots — can limit joint and muscle movement.
Trigger points may cause pain in the exact spot or refer discomfort to other parts of the body. By releasing these tense areas, the therapy helps restore normal muscle function and reduces widespread tension.
Who Benefits From Myofascial Release Therapy?
This therapy can help a wide range of people dealing with pain or mobility limitations. Patients often seek myofascial release at our Manhattan clinic when they are recovering from:
Physical trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or car accidents
Scarring, including post-surgical tightness or restricted shoulder movement
Inflammation, as seen with osteoarthritis, bursitis, or plantar fasciitis
Compressed nerves, including symptoms linked to herniated discs or carpal tunnel syndrome
Repetitive strain, common among fitness enthusiasts, active workers, and those maintaining poor posture over long hours
What Conditions Does Myofascial Release Therapy Treat?
Myofascial release therapy supports recovery from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Myofascial pain syndrome:
Persistent tight spots within the fascia can create deep, aching discomfort that doesn’t respond well to stretching alone.
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
Tension in the forearm and wrist fascia can contribute to nerve irritation. Releasing these tissues often reduces numbness and improves hand function.
Lower back pain:
Fascial tightness in the hips, lumbar region, or glutes can limit spinal mobility. Many NYC patients experience relief when these restrictions are released.
TMJ-related pain:
Jaw tension can radiate into the neck and shoulders. Myofascial release helps soften the tight tissues around the jaw joint and upper cervical spine.
Fibromyalgia:
Patients often experience widespread tenderness and stiffness. Gentle fascial release can improve overall comfort and daily movement.
Chronic migraines:
Fascial restrictions in the neck and upper back can trigger migraines. Targeted release may reduce frequency and intensity.
Because fascia connects the entire body, treating one restricted area often improves symptoms in multiple regions.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
What Happens After a Myofascial Release Session?
It’s normal to feel mild soreness in the areas that were treated, especially if the fascia was tight or inflamed. This soreness usually fades quickly, often replaced by a sense of lightness, comfort, and improved motion.
The best results come from consistency. Your physical therapist may recommend sessions every one to three days in the early phase of care. Each visit typically lasts 15–50 minutes, depending on your condition and treatment goals.
How Does Myofascial Release Work?
Most sessions use slow, controlled pressure to soften and stretch the fascia. Your therapist identifies areas that feel rigid or dense and works to restore their elasticity.
As the fascia begins to release, blood flow improves, muscles move more freely, and nerve irritation may decrease.
Common Techniques Used for Myofascial Release
Our therapists use several evidence-based methods to address fascial restrictions. Your plan may include one or more of the following:
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
This technique uses specialized tools to break down adhesions and scar tissue. It’s especially helpful for chronic injuries or areas with long-standing tightness. The approach is based on targeted friction applied across the muscle fibers to maintain healthy mobility and prevent scar tissue buildup.
Active Release Techniques (ART)
ART blends hands-on pressure with guided movement. It helps remove adhesions caused by repetitive strain, making it effective for active patients, office workers, and anyone experiencing nerve-like symptoms such as tingling or weakness.
Direct Myofascial Release
This approach applies steady pressure directly into restricted tissue. The goal is to lengthen and soften the fascia, improving mobility and reducing pain. It’s similar to deep tissue work but is more specific and controlled.
Indirect Myofascial Release
Used when tissues are too sensitive or reactive for direct pressure. This gentler approach relies on guiding the fascia into a position of ease, allowing it to release gradually.
Stretching-Based Techniques
Your therapist may incorporate gentle stretching to improve flexibility and restore range of motion. These stretches target both the muscles and the fascia surrounding them.
Positional Release Technique
This method places the body in positions that reduce tension and discomfort. It helps reset abnormal muscle patterns and restore normal tissue tone.
Self-Myofascial Release
Patients learn how to use foam rollers, massage balls, or similar tools at home to maintain progress between sessions. This is especially useful for busy New Yorkers who need quick strategies to manage tension on their own.
Source: Physiopedia
Patient Experiences with Myofascial Release Therapy
“After a single 90-minute myofascial release session with a skilled therapist, I noticed significant improvement that lasted for days.” - Source: Reddit, r/ChronicPain
“Receiving myofascial release from both a physical therapist and a massage therapist was intense and sometimes uncomfortable, but the results were remarkable in reducing tension and pain.” - Source: Reddit, r/Fibromyalgia
“Using myofascial release alongside aquatic exercises and TENS therapy helped manage both pain and fatigue effectively.” - Source: Reddit, r/Fibromyalgia
“Myofascial release helped relieve tension from TMJ-related trigger points in the jaw and neck. It can be slightly uncomfortable during treatment but provides noticeable relief afterward.” - Source: Reddit, r/TMJ
Call us at (212)-213-3480 to book your appointment today.
What others are saying
Alexander Liu
"Everyone on the team at Manhattan Physical Therapy is super nice and caring. They were able to pretty quickly diagnose my knee and hip problems and immediately put me to work to reduce the pain.."
Henry Myerberg
"You're not just a patient when you come to the Manhattan Physical Therapy. You feel like family there. In particular, Erica with her colleagues John, Lidia and Joe not only fix and improve you physically, they make you feel welcomed and cared for.."
Hakyung Kim
"Everyone is so kind and helpful! my knee and hip pain have improved massively since starting Manhattan PT, highly recommend to anyone. special thanks to Bianca, Lidia, Joe, and John!"
Manhattan Physical Therapy
✆ Phone (appointments):
(212) 213-3480
Address: 385 5th Ave, Suite 503, New York, NY 10016
