Your muscles do not work alone. Every one of them is wrapped, supported and connected by fascia, the connective tissue that lets one layer of the body move against the next.
When that tissue becomes restricted, range of motion tends to go with it. You feel tightness, pulling, or a stiffness that stretching on your own never quite resolves.
Myofascial release is slow, sustained contact that gives restricted tissue time to lengthen. I do not force it. I follow it.
I am Paul Andersen, NMT. I have spent nearly twenty years doing this work in Los Altos and across the mid-Peninsula. If you want the longer explanation of this tissue and why it matters, read understanding fascia, soft tissue and elasticity.
What myofascial release feels like
This is not a spa rubdown.
Sessions are clothed. No oils, no undressing, no draping.
I work with focused, unhurried pressure, and I keep you in the conversation the whole time. The tissue tells me more than a script would. Many clients describe a slow melting sensation as a long-held restriction finally lets go.
When it helps
Nagging tightness
Areas that feel chronically tight or bound up, even after rest and stretching.
Limited range of motion
Shoulders, hips and necks that no longer move through their full, comfortable range.
Old injuries
Pain that faded before the mobility came back. That is more common than people expect.
Desk posture
The rounded-shoulder, tight-hip pattern that comes from long hours at a screen.
The work does not stop at the table
Manual therapy can address areas where soft-tissue mobility appears restricted. It should not be the end of the process.
Movement is part of the treatment. I build stretching and mobility work into your plan so that what changes during a session is supported between sessions.
- Assess
- Treat
- Mobilize
- Stretch
- Strengthen
- Reload
- Return to activity
Your body does most of the actual healing. My job is to find what is restricted and guide the progression.
I come to you for myofascial work
Slow, sustained myofascial work needs a quiet room. I can do that at your house. I bring the table. In-home sports massage is $400 an hour. The Los Altos studio is $160 if you drive in.
Explore related services
Deep Tissue Massage
Strong, precise work for chronic tension and the demands of serious training.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Trigger-point and NMT work that targets the specific cause of referred pain.
Mobile & In-Home Massage
House-call sessions brought to your home, so recovery fits your schedule.
Understanding Fascia
What fascia is, why an injury affects more than the sore spot, and how recovery actually progresses.
Frequently asked questions
How is myofascial release different from a regular massage?
A standard massage often uses flowing strokes for general relaxation. Myofascial release uses slower, sustained pressure held on specific areas so restricted tissue has time to lengthen. It is targeted work aimed at restoring mobility, not simply at feeling good for an hour.
Do I need to undress?
No. My myofascial and sports work is done clothed, with no oils or draping. Wear comfortable, flexible clothing you can move in.
Should I be stretching between sessions?
Yes, and it should be intelligent stretching. The right type, intensity, duration and timing depend on your condition and where you are in healing. I will show you what to do and when, so the work we do on the table holds.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how long the restriction has been there. Some clients feel a meaningful change after one session. Longstanding patterns usually respond best to a short series. I will give you an honest assessment after the first visit, including whether I think you should see someone else first.
Do you come to my house for myofascial release?
Yes. Same clothed myofascial work at home on the Peninsula. The Los Altos studio is $160 if you want the lower rate.