Myofascial release (muscle fascia release) provides an indirect, non intrusive approach to soft tissue manipulation; gently moving tissue at the surface level, releasing tight fascia and helping to stimulate the body’s ability to re-align itself.

Fascia is the tissue that surrounds and connects all of the structures in the body. This connective tissue can become dehydrated, hardened and stuck.
Restrictions can develop in the fascia from trauma, poor posture and repetitive strain. During a myofascial release session, a low load stretch is put into the tissue for a period of approximately 3 minutes to allow the tissue to rehydrate and release. This is a very relaxing and effective therapy, fascilitating the body’s innate healing mechanisms to realign bony structures and release deep seated tension and trauma.

This technique provides an effective addition / alternative to massage for the more sensitive animals, and sometimes proves to be better than other physical therapies at releasing stubborn areas of tightness, allowing joints to realign.

Learning Myofascial Release:
These courses are aimed at all qualified canine physical body workers (canine massage therapists, physiotherapists, musculosketal therapists etc) as CPD training.

The two day Myofascial Release part 1 course run by Dawn McCaig is extremely hands on, providing effective fascia release techniques that can be used immediately in practice.  Students are encouraged to bring their dog(s).

Dawn explains what fascia is, what it does, and how it can become dysfunctional. Students all benefit from a mini treatment from Dawn, practice some simple techniques on each other, observe equine demonstrations, and practice the basic techniques on dogs. On the second day Dawn covers practical assessment and palpation techniques. Students then assess and apply specific myofascial release techniques to the dogs.  Dawn also includes some osseous release techniques to help realign joints.

The one day MFR Part 2 course with Dawn includes a recap on part 1 techniques, further assessment techniques, additional body work techniques, and craniosacral work, plus some quick fire tips for releasing tension. Releasing tension in the cranial bones can help a wide range of problems throughout the whole body, and can also help to remedy behavioural issues. Again, students practice on each other before moving on to the dogs.