top of page
Writer's pictureDr. Monica Ngo

What is Muscle Release Therapy?

Updated: Jan 27, 2022

Table of Contents:

What is MRT?


Muscle release therapy (MRT) is a manual treatment that puts pressure on the musculoskeletal fibres to assist muscle immobility, realign the muscular fibres, relax the muscles contracting and stimulate circulation.


Muscle Release Therapy

How does muscle release work?


Muscle release helps the wider muscular network that may be causing discomfort. It works by releasing trigger points in a wide area of your muscle system to lower stress throughout your body.

Who can make use of muscle release therapy?


This kind of treatment often benefits patients with muscle pain syndrome. Chronic headaches may also be relieved by muscle release. Massage in and around the neck and head of muscles may decrease headache symptoms.


Muscle release therapy can also help when blood is pooled in deep areas of the legs. The blood pool extends, and eventually the venous veins of the legs, due to venous insufficiency. In the affected limb, you may experience a painful and/or dull-pain feeling. In combination with other therapies, muscle release may be utilized to decrease venous deficiency, discomfort, and pooling.


Muscle Massage Benefits

Muscle Massage Benefits


There are some distinct potential benefits to be derived from muscle release therapy; these include:


  • Decreasing pain

  • Knots/trigger points released

  • Improved flexibility and mobility

  • Enhanced muscular function

  • Improved circulation, by disrupting the narrow regions where blood flow may be limited

  • Reduced pain associated with exercising


Seven tips for newcomers to Muscle Release Therapy

1. Hydration

For many processes in the body, hydration is essential. It also boosts energy, improves the function of the kidney, and makes the skin healthier. The average individual should consume plentiful amounts of water daily - in general, half your body weight, in ounces, per day. This should be increased if you consume alcohol or coffee, which are dehydrative. Urine is an excellent method to determine whether you are adequately hydrated and it should be nearly colourless and odourless. Fascia and connective tissues are about 70 percent water. Dehydration causes stiffness and inflexibility, leading to discomfort in our muscles.


2. Involuntary Movement

You may sense that your body wants to move, twitch, or tremble during a session; this is not unusual and is actually encouraged. Movement such as this is very normal throughout therapy.


3. Training

Physical exercise is essential to ensure a healthy lifestyle; physical and mental health go hand in hand. When initiating a program of muscle release treatment, it is recommended to halt any existing workout routine. It is, however, recommended that a brisk 20-30 minute walk be taken every day during the treatment period. It is encouraged to discuss what you want to achieve with your therapist - to plan together - they assist you in determining what is ideal for your health while you are on a treatment program.


4. The Mental Aspect

It is essential to recognize and trust that your body can recover. Your body is durable and capable of repairing itself. Recognizing this fact, you will be much more likely to experience success. When your body has experienced injury or trauma, MRT will enable you to deal with conditions, allowing your mind and body to be more healthy and less subject to anxiety. Entering therapy with an open mind is the quickest way to physical recovery. Your therapist can assist in achieving both the mental and physical goals you set.


5. The Crisis of Cure

You may encounter what is termed a "healing crisis", while going through therapy. Feelings may include moderate to severe sorrow, emotional turmoil, or fitness discomfort. MRT differs from other treatment methods because it deals with constraints and patterns deep within the fascial tissue. Your fascial tissue may continue discharging or releasing after hours or even days of therapy. You should take notice of what you feel physically and emotionally during and after treatment sessions. Remember that MRT is not a singular event, but a process.


6. Notification

Be sure to communicate frequently with your therapist, throughout your therapy; let them know what you feel. Your therapist can be very helpful in understanding you and your body, in terms of therapy. There is no incorrect response when your therapist asks you a question, and any genuine response is valid - it provides your therapist with valuable information.


7. Have an Objective

With a defined and realistic treatment objective, the outcomes you are hoping for will likely be achieved. One of your objectives may be for a pain-free experience. But that shouldn’t be the only benchmark for a successful Muscle Release Therapy program. Think about all the aspects of your current discomfort and how it is negatively impacting your quality of life. Consider the end-game of what you want to accomplish through MRT. Having a specific objective to discuss with your therapist can assist in rehabilitation. The more clear and precise you can be in communicating these objectives with your therapist, the greater the chance of total success.




Comments


bottom of page