Exploring Myofascial Release for Kids: Unlocking the Power of Gentle Healing

Is myofascial release beneficial for children? Absolutely! From infancy to adolescence, this gentle therapy technique can offer relief and restore health and function in various pediatric conditions.

What I find interesting is that as much as we think as children, we “bounce back”, how much do we actually? We often underestimate the impact childhood injuries and other traumas to our fascial system can have on our bodies long-term. During childhood, there is a high risk that when injuries do occur, most never properly heal, so our efforts are spent many years after the fact trying to undo what has already been done. While children may seem resilient, untreated injuries can linger, leading to chronic pain and restricted mobility later in life. At Mayer Wellness, we’ve witnessed firsthand how untreated childhood traumas can manifest into long-term issues.

“as firm as necessary but as gentle as possible”

What does the research say?

While there’s still a need for more peer-reviewed studies on the use of myofascial release techniques for pediatric conditions, the principles behind myofascial release technique are promising. For example, the principle “as firm as necessary but as gentle as possible” allows for long term changes in the fascial tissues. This gentle and non-invasive technique adapts to the needs of each child, fostering healthy fascial tissues crucial for their continued growth and development. The research does say is that because of the non-invasive nature of the technique, there is minimal risk for adverse effects. Research is continually pointing in the direction of the benefits to seeing conservative non-invasive approaches to address root causes of problems experienced more than potentially expensive and irreversible procedures that may not help the problem.

Benefits to Early Intervention:

The benefits of early intervention are immense. Traumas like birth complications, sports injuries, and even surgeries are considered different traumas to the fascial system and can cause the fascial tissues to tighten. When these fascial restrictions happen at any point in life, this can lead to tension in the body that persists long after the initial injury. These tensions in the fascial system can impede movement, mobility, and sensory processing. These all effect a child’s ability to participate in desired daily activities, posture, movement patterns, and so much more. Seeking treatment during infancy or childhood allows for us to retrain the fascial tissues early so we don’t see long term affects later in that child’s life.

What children would benefit?

Myofascial release isn’t just for adults. The gentle but effective technique is used to treat various pediatric conditions including;

cerebral palsy
torticollis
scoliosis
birth trauma
sports injuries
complex pain complaints
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Movement dysfunction
Non-integrated reflexes
Tongue ties
Sensory processing issues
And many more!

By addressing fascial restrictions early on, we can alleviate pain, promote healthy development, and prevent future fascia related issues. Myofascial release treatments with a fascia-informed occupational therapist address the underlying fascial restrictions contributing to some of the issues children are experiencing with these conditions every day. The above list is not limited to only those conditions, there are many benefits to integrating myofascial release treatments early in order to prevent fascial restrictions, prevent injuries, and create healthy posture habits as early as possible.

Mayer Wellness Resources:

At Mayer Wellness, we’re committed to raising awareness about the potential benefits of myofascial release treatments for children. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or friend, understanding the importance of fascial health can make a world of difference in a child’s health and well-being. Our goal is to equip families with the knowledge and resources they need to promote lifelong health, happiness, and function. If you want to learn more or chat with one of our occupational therapists to see if myofascial release treatments would benefit your child, check out our resources online or give us a call today!

Happy Healing,