Fascia is divided into three layers. The first layer contains fat, nerve endings and blood vessels. The second layer is a potential space which can become enlarged with swelling, suggesting the fascia can be disrupted by injury. The third layer is deep and envelopes organs of the body. The fibres of fascia run in various directions which allows accomadation to changes in muscle bulk and stretching.
Fascia shrinks when it is inflamed and is slow to heal because of a poor blood supply.
It is also a focus of pain because of its rich nerve supply. Myofascial release leads to postural and alignment changes. The ultimate goal is optimal body alignment which allows for the most efficient use of energy for daily tasks. The essence of myofascial release is such that the area to be stretched is palpated to determine the area of restriction. Then, the tissues are stretched gently along the direction of the muscle fibres until a resistance to further stretch is felt.