Understanding Myofascial Release

A Hands-on Holistic Approach at DIMS

At Denver Integrative Massage School, we pride ourselves on combining techniques from the East and the West to offer a well-rounded and holistic massage education. One of the many core Western techniques we offer is Myofascial Release (MFR) – a transformative modality that addresses pain, dysfunction, and restriction in the body by targeting the fascial system, the connective tissue web that supports and integrates every structure in the body.

MFR has its roots in Osteopathic principles and techniques. Some of the pioneers in this technique include Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (father of osteopathy), among the first to explore how to work with connective tissue, and Ida Rolf, who brought attention to the importance of fascia and posture. In the 1960s, Robert Ward formally gave Myofascial Release a name. Later practitioners like John Barnes and Thomas Myers expanded and popularized MFR with more refined techniques and anatomical mapping. Myers is especially known for his “Anatomy Trains” concept, which maps the body’s fascial lines.
Myofascial release is a form of bodywork that focuses on releasing tension and adhesions in the fascial system. Fascia is a thin, strong, elastic connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, and organ in the body. When fascia is healthy, it is flexible and fluid, which allows muscles and joints to move more freely. Conversely, injury, inflammation, poor posture, repetitive stress, poor diet, dehydration, and emotional trauma cause the fascia to become tight and restricted, which leads to discomfort and limited mobility. Students learn how to approach the fascia with sustained pressure and slow, intentional movements to release restrictions, restore alignment, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of MFR is this holistic philosophy that views the body not as a collection of isolated parts, but as an interconnected system. A restriction in one area—such as a hip or shoulder— can create strain or dysfunction in distant areas, like the lower back or the neck.
The pressure for this technique is applied slowly and held for extended periods, allowing the fascia to respond and release naturally without force or trauma. At our school, we emphasize teaching students the art of intuitive touch— how to feel the fascial tension and wait patiently for the tissue to “melt” under their hands. This patience is key to the effectiveness of MFR.
Some benefits of MFR are reduced pain and muscle tension, improved posture and body alignment, increased joint range of motion and flexibility, enhanced athletic performance and recovery, better circulation and lymph flow, and release of emotional tension and a sense of well-being.

Some of the techniques taught in our MFR curriculum are:

Skin Rolling: A classic MFR method where the skin is gently lifted between the thumbs and forefingers, then rolled slowly along a line of fascial tension. This technique helps release superficial fascial adhesions and increases circulation.

Fascial Spreading: Uses two points of contact (palms, soft fist, and elbows), the tissue is gently pulled in opposite directions to open and release restricted areas.

Fascial Torquing: Targets smaller areas of restriction by twisting the fascia back and forth until it becomes soft and pliable.

Fascial Bowing: Is effective for areas like the pectoralis major. This technique involves grasping the tissue and bending it into C and S shapes, helping to break up adhesion and restore mobility.

Beyond technique, we emphasize clinical thinking and a professional approach. Students are taught to conduct a client intake and physical assessment, develop a plan choosing the most appropriate techniques for the client’s needs, at the end of the session reevaluate and come up with a treatment plan for the next session, and document using SOAP note-taking methods.

MFR blends beautifully with Thai modalities, creating a seamless fusion of stretching, compression, and fascial unwinding. We pair Myofascial Release with complementary techniques like deep compressions, Thai stretches, and a specialized method we call Myofascial Acupressure. Myofascial Acupressure is a technique developed by our school’s founder, Hillary, who coined the term to describe a targeted application of pressure using the elbow. To perform this technique, you locate a point of fascial tension, then a twisting motion is applied with the elbow, helping to unwind the bound fascia. By “connecting the dots” along the line of tight tissue, tension is released in small, manageable segments– allowing the body to relax and realign more deeply.

Our approach to MFR reflects our broader philosophy: that effective massage therapy is as much about presence and intention as it is about technique. Myofascial Release invites therapists to slow down, listen deeply, and work with–not on– the body.
We believe in teaching modalities that are both effective and sustainable for practitioners. MFR is a technique that requires body awareness over brute strength, which ensures longevity in practice, enhances therapeutic results so the practitioner can work smarter and not harder, and encourages mindful presence, allowing the practitioner and client to tune into the subtle changes in the body.

This article was written by our massage instructor, Kimberly Thompson. She is an Herbalist, Massage Therapist, & Aesthetician and teaches for our  Denver Integrative Massage School and Herbalism Roots. Kimberly is a wise woman who understands the body & healing at an advanced level that only time, dedication, & care can create.

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