Myofascial Release

A different approach to pain, tightness, and the tension your body holds.

Could Fascia Be the Missing Piece?

You stretch. You exercise. You get massages. You work on the area that hurts—yet the tightness or discomfort keeps returning.
Sometimes the area where you feel symptoms isn’t the only area contributing to them. Restrictions within the fascial system can influence how different areas of the body move and interact.

You may recognize:

Understanding Myofascial Release

John F. Barnes Myofascial Release (MFR) is a gentle, hands-on approach that addresses restrictions within the fascial system, the connective tissue network that surrounds and supports muscles, joints, nerves, organs, and other structures throughout the body. Instead of chasing symptoms in isolation, MFR allows us to consider patterns of restriction throughout the body.

Why Fascia Matters for Movement

Fascial restrictions can develop following injury, surgery, inflammation, repetitive movement, prolonged positioning, and other physical stressors. Because fascia forms a continuous network throughout the body, restrictions in one area may influence mobility, movement patterns, or discomfort elsewhere.

More Than a Physical Experience

Stress, injury, surgery, and life experiences can affect how we move, breathe, and respond to touch. During Myofascial Release, you may notice physical sensations, greater body awareness, or emotional responses.

Physical Changes:

A sense of softening, warmth, movement, decreased guarding, or changes in how an area feels.

Greater Body Awareness:

Becoming aware of areas of tension, holding patterns, breathing, or sensations you hadn’t previously noticed.

Emotional Responses:

Some people experience unexpected emotions, memories, or a sense of emotional release during or after treatment.

There is no “right” response to Myofascial Release.
If emotions arise, we offer calm support, and you remain in control of your treatment experience.

What to Expect During Myofascial Release

A gentle, sustained hands-on approach that allows the tissue time to respond and release.

Gentle, Sustained Pressure

Unlike techniques that rely on deep or forceful pressure, this approach uses gentle, sustained pressure applied directly to the skin.

Meeting Resistance Without Force

The pressure can be described as slowly pressing a wooden board onto the surface of water—enough to meet the resistance without forcing past it.

Time for the Tissue to Respond

The pressure is sustained for several minutes, creating a purposeful pause that allows the tissue time to respond and release.

Awareness of What You Feel

The slower pace of treatment creates space to notice physical sensations, areas of holding or guarding, breathing patterns, and sometimes emotional responses as they arise.

A Whole-Body Approach to How You Move & Feel

We don’t treat your body as a collection of disconnected parts. Your evaluation considers your symptoms, movement, medical and surgical history, areas of restriction, and the patterns your body has developed over time. Treatment then combines movement assessment, hands-on Myofascial Release, education, and individualized recommendations to help you better understand your body and work toward meaningful change.

Who May Benefit from Myofascial Release?

01

Persistent Pain & Tightness

Recurring muscle or soft-tissue tension, chronic discomfort, headaches, neck or back pain, or areas that continually feel restricted.

02

Movement Restrictions

Limited mobility, difficulty moving comfortably, recurring tightness, or restrictions affecting exercise, work, or everyday activity.

03

Surgery, Injury & Scar Restriction

Persistent restrictions following surgery or injury, including scar related limitations and areas that never quite returned to normal.

04

Complex or Long-Standing Symptoms

People who have tried other approaches but continue to experience pain, guarding, sensitivity, or restrictions that may benefit from a more whole body approach.

Meet Your MFR Care Team

Specialized Care. A Collaborative Approach.
Your care combines clinical evaluation and oversight with specialized training in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release approach.
Your MFR care begins with a comprehensive therapy evaluation to understand the bigger clinical picture. When MFR is appropriate, your therapist and MFR specialist work collaboratively throughout your treatment plan

Led by a Certified Occupational Therapist

Zari Cooper

MOT, OTR/L, CLT-ALM

Led by a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

Blanca Fernandez

PTA, CSCS

How to prepare for your session

Myofascial Release is performed directly on clean, dry skin to allow the therapist to properly engage the fascial tissue.

Before your appointment:

Please avoid applying lotions, oils, creams, or body butters for at least 24 hours before your session.

Each session is individualized based on the client’s presentation, movement patterns, and areas of fascial restriction. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being treated.

View Pricing

Initial MFR Evaluation + Treatment

$325

Start with a comprehensive evaluation and experience MFR during your very first visit. Your NYA licensed evaluating therapist will assess your symptoms, movement, medical history, and goals before transitioning you to our MFR specialist for an initial hands-on treatment. The initial treatment remains contingent on clinical appropriateness.

4-Week MFR Treatment Program

$1,680

8 Sessions • 2x/Week • 4 Weeks.

A focused treatment experience designed to give your body the time and consistency needed to respond to skilled myofascial release. You’ll work one-on-one with our MFR specialist twice weekly while your NYA licensed evaluating therapist provides clinical oversight throughout your plan of care.
*A physical therapy referral will be needed for any treatment extending beyond 30 days.
*A minimum of 3-4 months is recommended to see long-term gains in MFR treatments, however benefits can be seen as early as your first session.

You’ve Worked on Where It Hurts. Maybe It’s Time to Look at the Bigger Picture.

Discover what Myofascial Release can do for you.

Get ready! We’re putting the finishing touches on our shop. Stay tuned for our grand launch!