Myofascial Release in Kirkwood, MO

Myofascial Release at Embody

Sometimes you just want someone who knows exactly where to work: someone who can find those stubborn spots, use the right amount of pressure, and take the time to really work through them.

At Embody, our chiropractors use focused, hands-on techniques similar to deep tissue massage, adjusting the pressure and approach to what you need. We see people with sudden flare-ups of neck or back pain, people managing chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome, and people who want help recovering from hard workouts, running, repetitive work, or everyday stress.

And we don’t want the benefits to stop when your visit ends, so we’ll show you a few simple movements or stretches to keep your progress going between visits.

Feeling better on the table is great. Staying better after you leave is the goal.

What patients say

“I specifically looked for a chiropractor experienced with myofascial release therapy who focuses on daily function, quality of life, and overall wellness…  he is skilled, informative, caring, and exceptionally patient-centered.”

— Karen Schumacher

“He always takes the time to review what is going on with my body, using different techniques to help heal depending on the issue. So many chiropractors skip the soft tissue work and that is what helps me the most!”

— Holly Cunningham

"In addition to spinal manipulation and myofascial work, his treatment plan has given me tools to stabilize my core and keep me from chronic pain and added injury.”

— Beth Brehob

Visit options and pricing

• Tune-Up, 10 minutes: $55. A quick session for targeted soft tissue work, a chiropractic adjustment, or both. Best for established patients.
• Focused, 20 minutes: $110. More time for myofascial release on one key area.
• Comprehensive, 40 minutes: $165. A thorough assessment with extended hands-on treatment. Recommended for new patients or more complex concerns.

Self-pay · HSA and FSA accepted · Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement

What is myofascial release?

Myofascial release is a hands-on therapy that focuses on muscles and the connective tissue surrounding them, called fascia. It often feels similar to deep tissue massage, using targeted pressure, massage techniques, and sometimes stretching or movement to address areas of pain and tension.

Fascia is a network of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles throughout the body. Although myofascial release is often described as "breaking up adhesions" or "releasing tight fascia," the science suggests something more interesting.

Rather than physically breaking apart tissue, the benefits of myofascial release likely involve interactions between the muscles, connective tissues, and nervous system. Hands-on pressure provides sensory input that can influence pain perception, muscle tension, and how comfortably we move.

For many people, the result is less discomfort, reduced feelings of tightness, and improved mobility. These benefits can be especially useful when combined with movement and exercise.

What's the difference between myofascial release and massage?

Myofascial release and massage have a lot in common. In fact, many massage techniques could also be considered forms of myofascial release. The difference often comes down to the goal of the treatment.

Massage is a broad term that includes everything from relaxation massage to gentle lymphatic drainage. Myofascial release typically focuses more specifically on muscles and surrounding connective tissues, using targeted pressure and movement to help relieve pain, reduce tension, and improve mobility.

At Embody, our chiropractors tailor these techniques to your symptoms, preferences, and goals. The pressure doesn't have to be deep to be effective, and chiropractic adjustments are optional.

Myofascial Release vs. Massage: Video Explanation

Dr. O'Guin explains how the goals of different hands-on therapies influence the techniques practitioners choose.

How does myofascial release work?

Myofascial release uses targeted pressure, stretching, and movement to influence muscles, connective tissues, and the nervous system. Researchers have proposed several overlapping mechanisms that may explain why these techniques help reduce pain, relieve tension, and improve mobility.

Calming the Nervous System

Muscles and fascia contain sensory nerve endings that detect pressure, stretch, and movement. Hands-on treatment stimulates these receptors, providing input that can influence how the brain and spinal cord process pain and regulate muscle activity.

This may help explain why a painful area can feel more relaxed or move more comfortably after treatment. Protective muscle guarding, stress, and increased pain sensitivity can all contribute to muscle tension. Sometimes, helping the nervous system settle down is just as important as working on the tissues themselves.

Helping Tissue Layers Glide

Fascia contains thin layers of connective tissue lubricated by a substance called hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid), which helps tissues glide against one another.

Fascia researcher Dr. Carla Stecco and colleagues have explored a theory called fascial densification. The idea is that changes in the consistency of hyaluronan and the surrounding connective tissue may increase resistance between fascial layers, potentially contributing to stiffness, discomfort, or restricted movement.

Early ultrasound studies have identified differences in fascial thickness in some people with pain, with changes observed following manual treatment. Researchers are investigating whether targeted pressure, stretching, and movement can influence these tissue properties and improve gliding.

Supporting Tissue Repair and Adaptation

Connective tissues respond to mechanical forces. During healing, the body produces and organizes new collagen, and appropriate movement and loading can help support that process.

In one study, injured rodent ligaments treated with instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage were approximately 43% stronger after four weeks than untreated injured ligaments, though by 12 weeks the difference had largely disappeared, suggesting the treatment sped up healing rather than changing the final result.

While these findings are promising, we can't assume the same effects occur with every manual therapy technique or in human patients. At Embody, we use hands-on treatment alongside appropriate movement and exercise, rather than treating them as competing approaches.

Trigger Points and Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are one of the most common sources of muscle pain we see at our Kirkwood clinic, especially in the neck, shoulders, and low back. They’re also one of the most debated topics in pain research.

What is a trigger point?

A trigger point is a small, tender knot within a tight band of muscle. It’s what most people mean when they say they have a “knot” in their shoulder. Pressing on an active trigger point often brings on familiar pain, and sometimes sends it somewhere else. A trigger point in the upper trapezius, for example, can cause pain up the side of the neck and into the head, which is why trigger points are often linked to tension headaches.

Why do trigger points develop?

They’re especially common with sustained, low-level muscle work: long hours at a desk, driving, playing an instrument, or holding the same position all day. During these tasks, the same small muscle fibers stay switched on the whole time while larger fibers rest. Researchers call this the “Cinderella hypothesis,” because those small fibers do all the work and never get a break. Over time they can become overloaded and irritated. Sudden strains, deconditioned muscles, and repetitive lifting can contribute too.

What’s happening inside a trigger point?

The leading theory is that a small group of muscle fibers gets stuck in a sustained contraction, driven by too much signaling where the nerve meets the muscle. That contraction can squeeze nearby blood vessels. When researchers at the National Institutes of Health studied active trigger points, they found restricted blood flow, highly acidic tissue, and elevated inflammatory chemicals, all of which make nerve endings more sensitive to pain. That acidity may also connect to fascial densification, since acidic conditions can make hyaluronan thicker and stickier.

Trigger points are still debated. Besides an examiner’s hands, there’s no accepted test to identify them, and they’re also found in people with no pain. We see them as one important piece of the picture, not the whole explanation.

Trigger point therapy at Embody

We treat trigger points with sustained pressure, myofascial release, assisted stretching, and, when it’s a good fit, acupuncture or dry needling. For stubborn trigger points that haven’t responded to other care, we also offer shockwave therapy, which some research suggests can help reduce trigger point pain. Trigger points tend to come back when the same muscles keep getting overloaded, so we’ll also show you how to change that, whether it’s a few exercises, a workstation adjustment, or more frequent movement breaks.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Persistent Pain

Not all muscle pain comes from an injury, and not all pain goes away when the tissues have healed. For some people, discomfort persists for months or years, sometimes spreading or changing without an obvious explanation.

At Embody, we recognize that persistent pain can involve both the muscles and connective tissues themselves and changes in how the nervous system processes pain.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) typically involves persistent pain in a particular region of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, or low back. It is often associated with sensitive trigger points that may reproduce pain locally or refer it to other areas.

Researchers are still investigating the mechanisms behind MPS, including local tissue changes, altered muscle activity, and increased nervous system sensitivity. Treatment may involve targeted myofascial release, exercise, and strategies to improve movement tolerance and reduce recurring symptoms.

Fibromyalgia and Widespread Pain

Unlike myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia typically involves widespread pain, often accompanied by fatigue, disrupted sleep, and increased sensitivity to touch or pressure.

With fibromyalgia, the nervous system can become more sensitive to sensory signals, making everyday activities or even gentle pressure uncomfortable. This doesn't mean the pain is imaginary. It means pain processing itself can be part of the problem.

Many people with fibromyalgia find that myofascial release helps them feel and move better, especially when the pressure is adjusted to their comfort. It isn’t a cure, so we pair it with gentle movement, progressive exercise, and other strategies that help improve function and quality of life over time.

Why Pain Can Persist After an Injury

Pain sometimes continues after the original injury has healed. This may involve ongoing tissue sensitivity, protective muscle guarding, changes in activity, or a nervous system that has become more responsive to potential threats.

That's why we don't approach every painful muscle as something that needs to be forced to relax. Sometimes the best approach includes gentle hands-on care, gradually rebuilding strength and movement tolerance, and helping you feel more confident using your body again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Myofascial Release

Does Myofascial Release Have to Hurt to Be Effective?

Not at all. Deep pressure can feel great for some people, but more pressure doesn't necessarily mean better results. Myofascial release can be effective with gentle, moderate, or firm pressure, depending on the person and the area being treated.

Some people enjoy that "hurts so good" feeling, while others find the same pressure uncomfortable. Neither response is wrong. At Embody, we combine our clinical experience with your feedback to find the right amount of pressure for you. The goal is effective treatment that feels productive, not simply pushing through pain.

What Is the Best Type of Myofascial Release?

There's no single technique that's best for everyone. Depending on your symptoms and goals, we may use sustained pressure, trigger point therapy, Active Release Technique (ART), pin-and-stretch, or assisted stretching. Sometimes gentle pressure is more effective and comfortable than deep tissue work. We adjust our approach based on your preferences and how you respond.

Do I Need a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Not at all. Many patients come to Embody specifically for hands-on muscle and soft-tissue treatment. Chiropractic adjustments are available when appropriate, but they're always optional. Your session can focus entirely on myofascial release.

Who Can Perform Myofascial Release?

Myofascial release is commonly performed by chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists. At Embody, our chiropractors incorporate these techniques into individualized treatment sessions, with an emphasis on your symptoms, movement, and goals.

Can Myofascial Release Be Combined With Other Treatments?

Absolutely. Depending on your needs, we may combine hands-on treatment with acupuncture, dry needling, chiropractic adjustments, stretching, or rehabilitative exercise. These aren't required additions; we recommend them when they make sense for your goals.

Which body region should be avoided during myofascial release techniques?

Certain areas should be avoided or approached with caution to prevent injury or discomfort. These include bony prominences, superficial nerves, open wounds, bruised or inflamed tissue, and areas over organs. A good understanding of anatomy and proper training are essential for safe, effective treatment.

Can Myofascial Release Improve Movement and Body Awareness?

Proprioceptors are the body’s position and pressure sensors. The main ones are muscle spindles, found mostly within muscles, and Golgi tendon organs, found in tendons, fascia, and joint capsules. Fascia also contains many other small sensory receptors.

Myofascial release stimulates these receptors, which may help explain changes in muscle tension, body awareness, and coordination after treatment. One newer theory suggests that densified fascia may interfere with the muscle spindles embedded in it, dulling their stretch signals and contributing to less coordinated movement.

Experienced Myofascial Release Care in St. Louis

Dr. Jeff O'Guin has incorporated myofascial release into chiropractic care since 2008. He previously taught myofascial techniques, advanced biomechanics, and rehabilitation at Logan University.

At Embody, Dr. O'Guin and Dr. Logan Hagerman combine skilled hands-on treatment with an understanding of movement, pain, and recovery. Whether you're looking for targeted deep-tissue work or help with a more persistent problem, our approach is personalized to your needs and goals.

References

1. Bron C, Dommerholt JD. Etiology of myofascial trigger points. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012;16(5):439-444. doi:10.1007/s11916-012-0289-4
2. Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, Granero-Molina J, et al. Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:561753. doi:10.1155/2011/561753
3. Loghmani MT, Warden SJ. Instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage accelerates knee ligament healing. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(7):506-514. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.2997
4. Pavan PG, Stecco A, Stern R, Stecco C. Painful connections: densification versus fibrosis of fascia. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2014;18:441.
5. Shah JP, Danoff JV, Desai MJ, et al. Biochemicals associated with pain and inflammation are elevated in sites near to and remote from active myofascial trigger points. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(1):16-23.
6. Shah JP, Thaker N, Heimur J, Aredo JV, Sikdar S, Gerber L. Myofascial trigger points then and now: a historical and scientific perspective. PM R. 2015;7(7):746-761. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.01.024
7. Sikdar S, Shah JP, Gebreab T, et al. Novel applications of ultrasound technology to visualize and characterize myofascial trigger points and surrounding soft tissue. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90(11):1829-1838. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2009.04.015
8. Stecco A, Meneghini A, Stern R, Stecco C, Imamura M. Ultrasonography in myofascial neck pain: randomized clinical trial for diagnosis and follow-up. Surg Radiol Anat. 2014;36(3):243-253. doi:10.1007/s00276-013-1185-2
9. Stecco C, Stern R, Porzionato A, et al. Hyaluronan within fascia in the etiology of myofascial pain. Surg Radiol Anat. 2011;33(10):891-896. doi:10.1007/s00276-011-0876-9