What Is Myofascial Release? A Gentle Approach to Chronic Pain in Frederick, MD

Living With Pain That “Doesn’t Make Sense”

If you’ve been living with nagging pain, tightness, or exhaustion, you’ve probably tried a little bit of everything:

Stretching.Massage.Chiropractic.Maybe even physical therapy or injections.

Some of it helps for a little while… but nothing really sticks.You walk out feeling a bit better, only to wake up the next day feeling like your body has snapped back into the same old pattern.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.It also might mean that something important has been overlooked:

👉 Your fascia.

My name is James (Jim) Morgan, and I’m a John F. Barnes–trained Myofascial Release therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist in Frederick, MD. At Key City Myofascial Release, I help people who feel “stuck” in their bodies discover a gentler, deeper way to heal.

Let’s talk about what myofascial release actually is—and why it might be the piece you’ve been missing.

Fascia: The Missing Link in Your Pain

Most of us were taught to think in terms of muscles, bones, and joints.

Fascia is the continuous web of connective tissue that wraps around and through everything in your body—muscles, organs, nerves, blood vessels, even your cells. You can think of it like a three-dimensional spiderweb or a full-body sweater.

When fascia is healthy, it’s:

• Fluid

• Flexible

• Able to glide and adapt as you move

But life happens:

• Injuries or surgeries

• Repetitive stress and posture

• Chronic stress, bracing, and “holding it together”

• Emotional or physical trauma

Over time, fascia can become tight, dense, and restricted.Because it’s all connected, a restriction in one area can create tension or pain somewhere else entirely.

That’s why you might have:

• Pain that “moves around”

• Tension that never quite releases

• Symptoms that don’t match your scans or test results

It’s not “all in your head.”It might simply be in your fascia.

What Is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a hands-on therapy that works directly with this fascial system.

The style I practice is the John F. Barnes approach, which is different from typical massage in a few important ways:

1. Gentle, Sustained Pressure

Instead of short, gliding strokes with oil, MFR uses slow, sustained pressure and holds into areas of restriction. We wait for the tissue to respond and soften at its own pace. There’s no forcing or “digging.”

2. No Oils or Lotions

MFR is usually done on skin without oils so that I can feel how the fascia is truly moving (or not moving). This allows for a more direct, authentic connection with the tissue.

3. Whole-Body Focus

Even if your main complaint is your neck or low back, we might work with the hips, ribs, or even the feet. Fascia is connected from head to toe—so we look for patterns, not just isolated pain.

4. Nervous System Awareness

Fascia and your nervous system are closely intertwined. When we give your body slow, safe, sustained input, your system can begin to shift out of “fight-or-flight” and into a more relaxed, healing state. That’s where deeper change happens.

Many clients describe the experience as:

“Deceptively gentle, but surprisingly powerful.”

What a Session With Me Looks Like

If you schedule a session at Key City Myofascial Release in Frederick, MD, here’s what you can expect.

Before Your Session

You’ll fill out a brief intake form so I can understand your history, your symptoms, and your goals. We’ll talk about what you’ve already tried and what hasn’t worked.

I’ll also explain what MFR is, answer questions, and make sure you feel comfortable with the process.

You can wear:

• Comfortable shorts or leggings

• A sports bra, tank, or comfortable top

The goal is that you feel both covered and free to move.

During Your Session

You’ll lie comfortably on the treatment table, and we’ll start with a quick assessment—how you stand, how you move, and how your tissue feels to my hands.

From there, I use gentle, sustained pressure and holds on specific areas of restriction. Sometimes the work is very still and quiet; other times, your body may want to subtly shift, unwind, or move.

You might notice:

• Gradual softening or warmth

• Deep relaxation or emotional release

• A sense of your body “unwinding” or reorganizing

You’re encouraged to:

• Communicate what you feel

• Ask questions

• Take deep breaths and stay present

This is not a “power through it” kind of therapy.It’s a collaboration with your body.

After Your Session

You may feel:

• Lighter or more open

• A bit sore, like after a good workout

• Sleepy, calm, or emotionally tender

We’ll talk about simple aftercare—hydration, gentle movement, and listening to your body over the next 24–48 hours. I’ll share what I noticed and how I see your body’s patterns, and together we’ll discuss next steps.

Who Is Myofascial Release For?

Myofascial release may be helpful if you:

• Have chronic pain that hasn’t fully responded to traditional care

• Feel tight, stiff, or “twisted” in your posture

• Have old injuries or surgeries that still seem to affect you

• Experience pain that moves around or doesn’t show up clearly on scans

• Feel like your body holds on to stress, trauma, or emotion

• Are a highly sensitive person or empath who easily gets overwhelmed

You don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit from this work.You just need a willingness to slow down and explore what your body has been trying to tell you.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Everyone is different, but in general:

• Some people feel noticeable changes after their first few sessions

• Deeper, longer-lasting shifts often come with a series of sessions, especially when the issue has been around for a long time

Together, we’ll create a plan that feels realistic for your schedule, your budget, and your nervous system. My goal is not to keep you on the table forever—it’s to help your body move toward more freedom and ease, and to give you tools to support yourself between sessions.

A Softer Way to Heal

If you’re reading this and thinking,

“This sounds like me… I’m tired of fighting my body,”

then myofascial release might be a powerful next step.

Your body is not the enemy.It’s been protecting you the best way it knows how.

My role is to offer a soft, science-meets-sensitivity approach that helps your fascia and nervous system feel safe enough to let go.

If you’re in or near Frederick, MD and you’d like to explore this work:

📍 Key City Myofascial Release – Frederick, MD

🔗 Learn more or book a session: www.keycitymfr.com

📩 Or send me a message jim@keycitymfr.com if you’re not sure where to start—I’m happy to answer questions.