"Why does this massage feel so different?"

Yesterday one of the PT patients at NYC Spine and Sport rehab center made the obvious and simple observation that the "massage" work I was using for his 20minute session was so much less painful than other treatments. Utilizing the moment to illuminate the Myofascial approach of the graduating, sinking, pressure effect, I explained that the difference is FASCIA. At first, it must sound like a very strange word for someone hearing it for the first time. As the light bulb began to flicker, the patient asked, "what is fascia?" In the 30 second window of attention that I would have,I succinctly tried to introduce the difference between working on the connective tissue vs specific muscles. Connective tissue is present from head to toe, front to back, inside out. It's encases the muscle itself allowing us to release tension, restriction, restore balance, alignment more comprehensively. Hopefully,this didn't totally overwhelm my patient. All I do know is that he was delighted to receive benefits of feeling better without being terrorized through very painful tactics. Especially on the dreaded Illiotibial tract of soft tissue that runs along the outside of one's leg. So very sensitive!

Here's a great resource to learn more about this unique and especially valuable concept:
http://www.myofascialrelease.com/fascia_massage/public/fascia.asp