Some pain does not respond to standard deep-tissue massage. The discomfort sits underneath the muscle, returns within a day or two, or wraps around an entire region rather than staying in one spot. In many of those cases the issue is not the muscle itself — it is the connective tissue that surrounds and binds it. Myofascial release is a slow, sustained massage technique designed specifically for this layer of the body. At Artemis Wellness Clinic in Richmond, our registered massage therapists offer myofascial release as a stand-alone session or integrated into a broader RMT treatment plan. We are located at 5911 No. 3 Road #130, two minutes from Brighouse SkyTrain Station, with direct billing for ICBC and most major extended health plans. Book at Jane App or call 604-242-2233.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that wraps every muscle fibre, every organ, every nerve, and every blood vessel in your body. When healthy, it is supple and slides easily against the structures it surrounds. When restricted — through injury, inflammation, prolonged poor posture, or chronic stress — it tightens into dense, ropey areas that can pull on nearby muscles, compress nerves, and limit joint movement.
Myofascial release uses sustained, low-load pressure (usually 90 seconds to several minutes per area) applied with the hands, knuckles, or forearm. Unlike a Swedish massage stroke that glides over the surface, the therapist sinks slowly into the tissue and waits for it to soften and lengthen. The technique was developed in the 1980s by physical therapist John Barnes and has since been adopted across registered massage therapy, physiotherapy, and osteopathy practice.
The goal is not to break up adhesions by force. It is to give the fascia time to release on its own under steady pressure, restoring fluid movement to areas that have lost it.
How Myofascial Release Differs from Standard Massage
Patients who have had many massages often notice the difference within the first session. Three things change:
The pace is slower. A standard 60-minute deep-tissue session may cover the entire back, shoulders, and hips. A myofascial-focused 60-minute session may stay on three or four specific regions for the full hour.
The pressure is lighter. Many clients expect deep pressure to mean strong pain. Effective myofascial work is usually rated 4 or 5 out of 10 in intensity — uncomfortable but tolerable. Pressure that pushes past 7 out of 10 can cause the fascia to tense protectively, working against the technique.
The therapist holds, rather than strokes. You will feel sustained contact in one area, then a slow drag across the tissue as it begins to release. This is normal and indicates the technique is working.
If you have tried multiple courses of conventional massage without lasting relief, myofascial release is often the next reasonable step.
Conditions That Respond Well to Myofascial Release
Not every painful condition is a fascial problem. The patterns that respond best in our Richmond clinic include:
- Chronic neck and upper-back tension that returns within days of a standard massage. Often related to prolonged desk posture or driving.
- Tension headaches with a “band around the head” quality. Frequently driven by restriction in the suboccipital region, temporalis, and frontalis fascia. See our headache and migraine treatment guide for related approaches.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in the early or recovery phase, where capsular and surrounding fascial restriction is limiting range of motion. Read our frozen shoulder treatment article.
- Sciatic-type pain driven by piriformis or gluteal fascia rather than direct nerve root compression. Combined with our sciatica treatment approach, myofascial work often produces measurable change in two to four sessions.
- Postural pain in office workers and drivers — chest tightness, mid-back stiffness, hip flexor restriction.
- Plantar fasciitis — the foot’s plantar fascia responds well to direct sustained pressure, often combined with calf release.
- Recovery from immobilization (cast, sling, or post-surgical) where surrounding tissues have stiffened.
- Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain — myofascial release is one of the few manual approaches generally well-tolerated by sensitized nervous systems.
If your condition does not appear here, your initial RMT assessment will determine whether myofascial release, conventional Swedish massage, deep-tissue work, or a combination is the most appropriate starting point.
Our Approach at Artemis
Our registered massage therapists are trained in myofascial release as one of several techniques drawn upon during a session. We do not believe in single-method dogma. A typical 60-minute appointment for chronic upper-back and neck pain may include:
- 10 minutes of warm-up and broad-stroke work to assess where the major restrictions sit
- 30–35 minutes of focused myofascial work on the suboccipital, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pectoral fascia
- 10–15 minutes of integration — gentle stretching, joint mobilization, and breath-coordinated movement to lock in the release
For patients with multiple regions involved, a 75-minute or 90-minute booking allows full coverage without rushing. Initial visits include a brief postural and movement assessment so the therapist can target the work, not guess at it.
Because Artemis is a multidisciplinary clinic, we coordinate when appropriate with our physiotherapy team for movement re-education, our acupuncturists for autonomic regulation in chronic pain cases, and our chiropractors for joint dysfunction that perpetuates fascial restriction. Many ICBC patients benefit from this combined approach.
Insurance and Direct Billing
Myofascial release at Artemis is delivered by registered massage therapists, which means it is covered under standard RMT benefits across most plans:
- ICBC — covered for motor vehicle accident injuries when an RMT is part of your treatment plan. We bill ICBC directly under your claim number — no out-of-pocket cost for pre-approved sessions.
- Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield Canada, Canada Life — direct billed when your plan includes RMT coverage.
- WorkSafeBC — covered for workplace injuries with an open claim and approved treatment plan.
For self-pay patients, see current rates in the Jane App booking system at the time of booking.
If you are unsure whether your specific plan covers RMT, our front-desk team can verify before your first appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
- Arrive 10 minutes early to complete intake forms (skip this step by booking online and filling them in advance).
- Brief assessment (5–10 minutes). Your RMT will ask about your symptoms, what makes them better or worse, and your treatment goals. They will also check your posture, range of motion, and any areas of pain.
- Treatment (40–50 minutes for a 60-minute booking). You undress to your level of comfort, lie face-down or face-up on the heated table, and are draped throughout. The therapist will check in regularly about pressure and comfort.
- Aftercare (5 minutes). Brief discussion of what was found, how it responded, what to expect over the next 24–48 hours, and recommended follow-up frequency.
It is normal to feel mildly sore for 24 hours after a deep myofascial session — similar to the day-after sensation of a strong workout. Drinking water, light walking, and warm baths help. Most patients feel measurably better by 48 to 72 hours.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on how long the restriction has been present and how multi-layered the problem is.
- Acute or recent issues (a few weeks of pain following a clear trigger): often resolve in 2–4 weekly sessions, then taper.
- Chronic patterns (months or years of recurrent pain, postural origin): typically 4–8 sessions across 6–10 weeks, with re-assessment at session 4 to confirm progression.
- Maintenance after improvement: many patients with desk-job postural patterns book monthly or every six weeks to prevent recurrence.
For ICBC patients, frequency is set within your approved treatment plan. Most patients see one to two sessions per week during the active recovery phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is myofascial release the same as deep-tissue massage?
No. Deep tissue uses strong, often quick strokes and high pressure to work through muscle layers. Myofascial release uses light to moderate pressure held for long periods to allow the fascia to release. They can be combined within one session, but they are different techniques.
Will it hurt?
Effective myofascial release is uncomfortable but should not push past about 5 out of 10 in intensity. If pressure approaches the level where you tense up to brace against it, the technique stops working. Always tell your therapist when pressure is too much — they will adjust.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Registered massage therapy in BC is direct-access. You can book a myofascial release session without a referral. ICBC and WorkSafeBC patients should have an open claim number.
Do you direct bill ICBC and extended health?
Yes. For ICBC, we bill directly under your claim number with no payment required from you for pre-approved sessions. For extended health (Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield, Canada Life), we direct bill where your plan supports it.
How is this different from foam rolling or self-massage?
Foam rolling can apply broad pressure to large muscle groups, but it cannot reach the deeper fascial layers, sustain pressure for the time needed for true release, or adapt in real time to how your tissue responds. It is a useful adjunct, not a replacement.
Can I get myofascial release the same week as physiotherapy or chiropractic?
Yes — many patients see two or three of our practitioners in the same week, especially during ICBC recovery. Our team coordinates so the work is complementary, not duplicative.
How quickly will I feel a difference?
Most patients notice some immediate change in restricted areas during the session itself. Lasting change usually builds over the first three to four visits as the new range of motion gets reinforced through daily movement.
Are there reasons not to have myofascial release?
Active infection, deep-vein thrombosis, severe osteoporosis, recent fracture in the area, and certain skin conditions are contraindications. Disclose any health conditions and medications during your intake — your RMT will adjust the plan if needed.
Do you have evening or weekend appointments?
Yes. Real-time availability shows in our Jane App booking page.
Book a Myofascial Release Session in Richmond
Artemis Wellness Clinic
5911 No. 3 Road #130, Richmond, BC V6X 0K9
Two minutes from Brighouse SkyTrain Station, directly across from Richmond Centre
Phone: 604-242-2233
Online booking: artemis.janeapp.com
ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield Canada, and Canada Life direct billing available. Evening and weekend appointments included.
