Boosting Your Immunity Through Myofascial Release

Boosting Your Immunity Through Myofascial Release

Author: LULU PICART

Myofascial release therapy is growing in popularity and availability throughout the country. Its ability to help reduce chronic pain an inflammation is assisting people to regain their mobility, health, and quality of life.

However, another incredible documented benefit of myofascial release therapy is its effect on the immune system. Robert Schleip, Director of the Fascia
Research Group and professor at Ulm University, writes, “Fascia plays a crucial role in the regulation of the immune system, affecting the distribution and movement of immune cells and influencing inflammatory processes."

Simply put, the health and elasticity of the fascia directly affects the body’s immune system and our response to infections. Care for the fascia, including through modalities such as myofascial release therapy, can improve our immune system functions.

What is fascia?

“Fascia” refers to the strong connective system of tissues that encapsulates and supports every structure in the body. It is full of sensory nerves and is an active support system for your tissues and organs. This web lives between and around your muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons, organs, and bones. When fascia is healthy, it’s flexible and hydrated; however, when inflamed or injured, the fascia can become hyper-irritated and inelastic, resulting in pain and tightness.

What is myofascial release?

Myofascial release (MFR) is a hands-on massage technique (“myo” = muscle, “fascial” = fascia). While fascia can be manipulated and stretched on your own, a therapist trained in MFR can expertly locate pockets of rigidity and tightness.

They will supply gentle, sustained pressure and to stretch and flex the fascia and release fascial restrictions (tight knots). MFR can be focused on trigger points around tight or sore areas, but because the fascia connects systems throughout your body, it can require attention elsewhere. Because the effects of a fascia restriction can be felt in seemingly unrelated ares of the body, treatment often involves discussing and exploring historical trauma and injuries.

Benefits of myofascial release for immunity

Myofascial release can help relieve the pain and discomfort of many autoimmune diseases. MFR can assist with:

• Pain reduction
• Decreased inflammation
• Enhanced circulation and lymphatic flow
• Improvement of functional mobility and quality of life

Fascia and immune cell movement

Fascia can play a significant role in the movement of immune cells throughout the body by facilitating lymphatic flow, regulating fluid dynamics, and improving cellular communication (helping to heal inflammation).

Fascia supports the lymphatic system, which refers to the movement of lymph, a watery fluid that carries bacteria, waste products, and nutrients. The
unrestricted circulation of lymph is essential to regularly detoxify and flush the body. The fascia itself surrounds lymphatic vessels and nodes, so when the fascia is healthy, the lymph can flow smoothly and without interruption, allowing immune cells to reach infection and injury. If the fascia is restricted or tight, the lymph channels are affected.

Because fascia is part of the interstitium, the fluid-filled space between cells. Fascia’s hydration state affects how well fluids and immune cells can move through tissues. Well-hydrated fascia supports better fluid exchange and cellular movement, while dehydration or fascia restriction can hinder these processes. Fascia is full of receptors and communicating molecules that can influence they way immune cells behave, including how they respond to signals and travel to areas of need. Keeping the “information highway” of the fascia clear and mobile is essential to help your immune system function well.

Who can provide MFR and what to expect

You can experience the benefits of myofascial release therapy at home by using foam rollers, therapy balls, or targeting trigger points with massage therapy guns. However, the best results will come from a session with a therapist. Look for someone trained and/or certified in Myofascial Release Therapy; you can find this care through sports medicine specialists, massage therapists, physical or occupational therapists, and some osteopathic physicians.

Your first appointment will generally feature diagnostic exercises to determine areas of fascia restrictions and your body’s flexibility, loss of motion, and areas of inflammation. After an initial appointment, you will discuss a therapy plan with your provider, normally a set of regularly-spaced 30-60 minute sessions over a few weeks or months.

While MFR is similar to massage therapy, you’ll experience less kneading and stroking; instead, your therapist will apply deep pressure to spots where the fascia is tight and stiff. You should start to feel less pain and gain more mobility as your sessions progress.

For more information on how myofascial release can help you heal your body, listen to “Free Your Body From Past Trauma with Myofascial Release,” from The Healing Heroes Podcast, featuring special guest and expert MFR instructor Karen Remele. Karen's journey began as a modern jazz dancer and instructor until a horrific motorcycle accident changed the course of her life. She is now dedicated to helping others live pain-free existences and educating on the benefits of myofascial release. Karen is both a licensed physical therapist assistant and a licensed massage therapist. Ultimately, she became a student and expert instructor of the John. F Barnes MFR therapy, which she has now practiced for over 25 years.