How Acupuncture & Myofascial Release Work Together to Enhance Healing
Myofascial Release (MFR) treatment and Acupuncture are two alternative therapies that can help alleviate pain and dysfunction in the body. While they have different approaches, they are very complementary and provide countless benefits when used together.
Myofascial Release Treatment
Myofascial Release treatment is a form of bodywork that focuses on the fascia, the connective tissue that supports all body tissues including muscle, bone, organs, blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic structures, and brain tissue. Over time and with trauma, the fascia can become stuck down and restricted, causing crushing pressure that results in pain, and altered function of the underlying tissue. Myofascial Release treatment involves applying gentle sustained pressure to the affected areas to release restriction and improve circulation, lymphatic flow, and nerve conduction, allowing the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points in the body. These points are believed to be connected by pathways or meridians that carry vital energy or qi. By stimulating these points, acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the body.
Benefits of Combining Myofascial Release and Acupuncture
1. Enhanced Pain Relief
When used together, myofascial release treatment and acupuncture can provide enhanced pain relief. Myofascial release treatment helps release restrictions and improve circulation in the affected areas, while acupuncture can stimulate the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms. Combining the two can lead to greater pain relief and faster healing.
2. Greater Mobility
Restricted fascia can limit mobility and cause discomfort, making it difficult to perform everyday activities. Myofascial release treatment allows the fascia to move and glide freely to improve mobility, while acupuncture will bring further attention to these areas to reduce any muscle guarding and lower inflammation, leading to improved movement.
3. Enhanced Mood
Both myofascial release treatment and acupuncture can induce a state of relaxation, reducing stress and tension in the body. Combining the two therapies can provide a more profound sense of relaxation, helping the body to heal and recover from trauma as well as issues mood disorders and anxiety.
4. Improved Circulation
Myofascial release treatment improves circulation in the affected areas by releasing restriction, while acupuncture stimulates the body to send blood flow to the affected area. Improved circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas, promoting healing, reducing inflammation and pain.
5. Improved Digestive Function
Acupuncture helps regulate the body’s hormonal and biochemical aspects of digestion that keep things running smoothly, particularly in the gall bladder, liver, and the body’s excretory system by way of the kidneys and colon. Similarly, Myofascial Release treatment relieves restriction in the connective tissue of these organs and the way they interact with each other, so they are operating optimally biomechanically as well as biochemically. In this combined approach Myofascial Release treatment and Acupuncture can help to resolve symptoms of IBS, chronic constipation, indigestion, reflux and more.
6. Improved Reproductive Function
Just like the organs of digestion can exhibit dysfunction due to restriction of the connective tissue supporting these organs, so too can the reproductive organs. When they are constricted physically, it can create issues with menstrual cycles, hormone balance and fertility in women, and difficulties with voiding and pain during sex in both men and women. Pelvic Floor Myofascial Release treatment works to relieve the restrictions causing dysfunction in these organs. Combined with Acupuncture which regulates the hormone pathways and blood flow to these organs, these two treatments together can help treat all the problems listed earlier.
Combining Myofascial Release treatment and acupuncture provides a holistic approach to healing, addressing both the physical and energetic aspects of the body. This approach can help to promote overall health and well-being, providing long-term benefits beyond pain relief.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, consider exploring these therapies and working with our qualified practitioners to find the best approach for your individual needs. Book a FREE 15 minute consultation here