Understanding and Supporting Fascia and Myofascia. A Closer Look at Myofascial Release Therapy in Bath and Bristol

Joanna Marie Leytham
Jul 20
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Have you ever heard of fascia and myofascia? These intricate networks of connective tissue play a crucial role in our body's movement and flexibility.

What is Fascia?

Myofascial Release Therapy in Bath and Bristol — Fascia

Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that runs throughout your entire body - wrapping around and weaving through muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. It provides structure, support, and helps everything stay in place while allowing smooth movement between layers. It acts as a communication network, influencing body mechanics and even our emotional well-being.

The Role of Myofascia

When we say myofascia, we are talking specifically about the fascia that surrounds and interpenetrates your muscles ("myo" means muscle). This layer is especially important when it comes to physical tension, movement restrictions, and chronic discomfort. It plays a key role in maintaining posture, transmitting force, and facilitating movement. By understanding myofascial connections, we can optimise our body's performance.

Trigger Point Therapy in Bath and Bristol — Myofascial Release Trigger Points

Understanding Fascia to optimise our body's performance

Think of fascia like a three-dimensional cobweb running through your body from top to toe with no break. If one area becomes tight or stuck, whether from stress, injury, overuse, underuse, or being sedentary, it can create tension or pulling elsewhere. That is why something like shoulder pain might actually be linked to tightness in the hips, or jaw tension might stem from the neck or even the feet.

Our bodies are not just made of separate muscles working in isolation. Instead, they function as a unified system, with myofascia—the connective tissue surrounding and linking muscles—acting like a continuous web that transmits force, stores tension, and distributes movement across the whole body.

Imagine your fascia as a soft but strong, body-wide bodysuit. If that suit is too tight, twisted, or stuck in one area, it affects the whole. A restriction in one place may lead to compensation elsewhere, changing your posture, balance, or how you move—even if you’re not aware of it.

So, how do we work with this system intelligently?

How to Understand and Support Healthy Fascia

1. Think in movement chains, not muscles. Tension travels through the fascial web—tight calves can affect your back, or jaw tension might pull through to your hips. It’s all connected.

2. Notice your habits. Do you always favour one side? Sit or walk unevenly? These are clues to fascial imbalances. Awareness is the first step to resetting your patterns.

3. Use release and integration tools. Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, massage, yoga, and mindful movement all help hydrate and free up the fascia so you move more smoothly and feel more at ease.

4. Avoid sitting still too long. Prolonged stillness can cause the fascia to thicken and stick to surrounding tissue, creating stiffness or imbalance.

5. Move gently and regularly. Fascia helps transfer load efficiently. If one area is tight and another unstable, your body compensates, often causing strain or fatigue. Yoga, stretching, walking, and simply changing positions throughout the day help keep fascia mobile and adaptive.

6. Try self-release techniques. Foam rolling or using soft massage balls can help loosen restricted fascia and improve circulation.

7. Get bodywork support. Therapeutic massage is one of the most effective ways to address fascial tightness and help your whole system unwind.

What I Offer to Support Healthy Fascia: Myofascial Release Therapy in Bath and Bristol

At Metta Yoga and Massage, I offer Myofascial Release Therapy in Bath and Bristol, and Trigger Point Therapy in Bath and Bristol, both of which work directly on the fascia to soften restrictions, release deeply held patterns, and restore natural movement.

These techniques can be integrated into your treatment alongside other massage and yoga modalities I offer in Bath and Bristol - such as Deep Tissue, Holistic Massage, and Restorative Yoga, which also support healthy fascia, helping you feel lighter, more aligned, and more at ease in your body.