Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain?

What can you tell me about myofascial release therapy as a treatment for back pain? Does it work?

- Diane / Illinois

Answer

Myofascial release is a form of massage therapy that uses sustained pressure to loosen or release tightness in connective tissues (fascia). It is thought that tightness within the fascia causes restriction of muscle and other tissues, resulting in back pain and loss of motion. Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma and poor posture supposedly contribute to this tightness.

These myofascial restrictions can't be detected with standard medical imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs. In addition, there have been no published trials that have evaluated myofascial release therapy as a treatment for chronic back pain. For these reasons, myofascial release therapy for back pain is not widely accepted in the medical community. However, many physical therapists and massage therapists use such techniques, and anecdotal evidence suggests that myofascial release therapy may relieve back pain in some people. Also, results of a Mayo Clinic study, published in 2008 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, suggest that myofascial release may be as effective as acupuncture in relieving chronic pain. However, large-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate the potential benefit of myofascial release therapy in treating back pain.

If you've been told that myofascial release therapy may be helpful for your back pain, consult a therapist who has training in such techniques. As with many other treatments for chronic back pain, myofascial release may benefit some people but not all.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

• Massage: A relaxing method to relieve stress and pain

RELATED

• Prolotherapy: An effective treatment for low back pain?
• Disk replacement: An effective treatment for low back pain?
• Inversion therapy: Can it relieve back pain?
• Pulsed radiofrequency neurotomy: A cure for back pain?
• Epidural steroid injections for back pain: Why limited dosing?
• Noninvasive treatments
• Spinal fusion
• Complementary and alternative approaches
• Back pain guide
• Back pain
• Spinal injury: First aid
• Back surgery: When is it a good idea?
• Back pain: Will chiropractic treatment help?
• Acupuncture: Can it help?

MayoClinic.com Bookstore

• 'Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth Guide to Self-Care' (Softcover)