Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a condition characterized by chronic pain in the muscle tissues, similar to fibromyalgia. Abbreviated MPS, it is sometimes the aftermath of overuse, injury or surgery. Pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, and therapies aimed at relaxing the muscles tissues (such as massage, acupressure, chiropractic, and some forms of acupuncture) have been reported as beneficial.

Myofascial Release is a manipulative treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture or inflammation due to injury or stress. Connective tissues called fascia surround and connect every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, and organ in our bodies. Points of restriction in the fascia can place a great deal of pressure on nerves and muscles causing chronic pain.

Practitioners of myofascial release employ long stretching strokes meant to balance tissue and muscle mechanics and improve joint range of motion in order to relieve pain.  Self Myofascial Release (SMR) is just that, doing it yourself.  Self Joint Mobilization is another therapy associated with SMR.

 

A ShiatsuBag can be configured for various degrees of massage intensity by adding softer balls and or removing hard ones.  It can be placed on softer cushioned support surfaces like a bed, foam mat, or sofa or you may choose to place a cushioning material such as a plush towel or blanket over the ShiatsuBag while you use it and obtain the degree if tissue penetration that you are comfortable with.

 

Here are some links about SMR without wading through the spam:

 

Myofascial Release - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Myofascial Release is a form of soft tissue therapy which includes…

 

How To Stretch Using the Myofascial Release Technique | How To Do ...

By shifting your weight over a ball or roller you can relieve pain.

 

http://www.myofascialrelease.com/mfr/mfr_what.asp

Myofascial Release is a very effective

 

What is Myofascial Release?

Brief and Straightforward Guide: What is Myofascial Release?

 

Myofascial release at Holistic Junction

What is Myofascial release? Myofascial release is a tender mixture of stretches and massage techniques

 

Myofascial Release | chiroweb.com

After receiving a five minute myofascial release over my pectoral muscles, my upper thoracic pain completely

 

ACS :: Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is based on the body's fascia system, which practitioners say is a tough connective tissue

 

Self Myofascial Release Exercises

Self myofascial release techniques can have a number of performance and rehabilitation benefits.

 

Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain? - MayoClinic.com

Anecdotal evidence suggests that myofascial release therapy may relieve back pain in some people.

 

Weight Training and Body Building - Small Balls That Please ...

Learn how to apply self myofascial release to your body so you can lift more and

 

Self Myofascial Release Technique

What is self myofascial release and how does it work? Self myofascial release (SMFR)

 

Self Joint Mobilization and Self Myofascial Release dvds

His two Secrets dvds, Secrets of Self Myofascial Release and Secrets of Self Joint Mobilization,