What is Connective Tissue Massage?

Connective tissue massage uses myofascial therapy—or muscle traction, pressure, and specialized stretching—to address acute and chronic tension in the fascia. Fascial tension can be caused by physical or emotional trauma, injury, or habitual movement or postural patterns. By relieving this tension, the fascia returns to its normal, flexible state, allowing muscles and organs to function normally. This release results in pain relief and improved range of motion.

What is fascia and why does it matter?

Fascia is a thin connective tissue that wraps around all the muscles and internal organs in the body. The fascia connects the individual parts of the body into one cohesive whole.

Imagine that you are wearing a sweater. If you pull the sweater away from your body at the chest, the hem and the arms of the sweater will stretch and pull as a result. Fascia is like the one long, continuous strand of yarn in that sweater. Tension in one point of the fascia “sweater” results in tension and referred pain in other areas.

Over time, fascial adhesions restrict body movement and cause pain by exerting up to 2,000 lbs. of pressure per square inch! Releasing these constrictions relieves chronic muscle and joint pain not addressed with therapeutic massage techniques that focus only on the muscles.

Connective tissue massage might be for you if you:

  • Suffered a physical trauma like whiplash, a car accident, or a fall

  • Have chronic pain and tension that is not relieved through regular deep tissue massage

  • Want to improve your posture

  • Have limited joint mobility or range of motion due to surgery or injury

“I’ve struggled with chronic muscle pain and tension headaches for as long as I can remember. Regular massage provided short-term relief, but the pain always came back.

Gailey came highly recommended. An hour of connective tissue massage and I was hooked. I’ve been back every month for more than three years. Connective tissue massage has made a huge difference in my quality of life. If you’re hurting, book an hour with Gailey—you won’t regret it!”
— Rachel, Saint Louis Park, MN


Need intensive myofascial therapy?

Individuals who experience pain relief from connective tissue massage or who would benefit from all-over fascial release may want to consider Structural Integration.