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Myofascial Release Massage – Online Training

This course provides a complete, clinically grounded approach to myofascial release based on the structure, behavior, and continuity of fascia throughout the body. Students learn how to assess fascial restrictions, apply gentle sustained pressure, and follow tissue unwinding to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve postural balance

Myofascial Release arm pull for the posterior shoulder.

Elastin, Collagen and muscle comparison.

Course Details

Over two and a half hours of online video instruction

Includes a 30-page online manual for reference and review

Text support provided within each lesson to reinforce key concepts

Covers both theoretical foundations and hands-on application of Myofascial Release

Focuses on gentle, sustained techniques rather than force-based approaches

Emphasizes palpation skills, tissue response, and clinical reasoning

Myofascial release on the anterior neck for forward head position. The therapist is sitting at the head of the table.

What You’ll Learn

  • Anatomy and physiology of fascia
  • Core myofascial release techniques and tissue awareness
  • Superficial fascia release, including skin rolling and evaluation
  • Scar tissue release methods
  • Kinesthetic joint evaluation, including leg and arm pulls
  • Working with anterior, posterior, and lateral fascial lines
  • Cross-handed stretches and transverse diaphragm releases
  • Postural analysis from the front and side
  • Releasing the rib cage, back, shoulders, and neck
  • Balancing the feet and leveling the hips
  • Releasing the jaw and scalp

Myofascial Release Learning Hub

What Is Myofascial Release Massage?

If you’d like a clear explanation of what myofascial release is, how fascia affects movement, and how this approach differs from traditional massage, read our overview of what myofascial release massage is.

Myofascial Release Techniques Explained

For a deeper look at how myofascial release techniques work, including why slow pressure is used and how long techniques are typically held, explore our guide to myofascial release techniques.

How to Integrate Myofascial Release into a Massage Session

If you’re interested in how to apply myofascial release within a full massage session, including sequencing and combining it with other modalities, see our article on integrating myofascial release into massage.

Dynamic Chiropractic rates the class 10 out of 10.

DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC rates this video series: “10 out of 10”

Meet your Instructor:

Sean Riehl is the founder of Real Bodywork and a leading expert in massage therapy and bodywork education. A pioneer in clinical instruction, Sean began teaching massage in 1991, and has authored numerous textbooks and produced over 30 instructional videos used by massage schools and practitioners worldwide.

Beyond his clinical and educational work, Sean has been a driving force in the wellness industry’s growth. In 2022, he was a founding member of iFlex Stretch Studios, a premier assisted stretching franchise. Following the acquisition of iFlex by the founders of StretchLab in late 2024, Sean served as the Vice President of Training through 2025. In this role, he worked closely with the executive team to elevate training standards and curriculum for hundreds of practitioners before retiring from the position at the end of the year to focus on his educational legacy.

Sean Riehl, massage instructor.

Lessons

CERTIFICATE AND CEU INFO- Myofascial Release

Free Preview

Length: 0 minutes

Myofascial work on the anterior neck

Please view to learn about our courses. Questions answered: How long will you have access to this course? Is it the same as the dvds? Are there CEUs included? Do I have to take a test? Can I download the content? Is my interenet connection fast enough?

Lesson 1. Anatomy of fascia and manual download

Length: 15 minutesComplexity: Easy

elastin and collagen

This lesson covers the anatomy of the fascia including ground substance, elastin and collagen. Learn how fascial lines interact in the body through tensegrity, plus the basics of myofascial release stretching and the ideas that guide the treatment. Also, download the 30 manual in this lesson.

Concept Knowledge Check- Fascial Anatomy

Length: 10 minutesComplexity: Easy

Fascial Anatomy Quiz

Concept Knowledge Check- Fascial Anatomy Knowledge Check — What Changes When…? Sort each scenario into the tissue component it most directly affects. This is a self-check to support learning.

Lesson 2. Experiencing Fascia in your own body

Length: 7 minutesComplexity: Easy

A person stretches to feel their own fascia.

This lesson covers how to experience fascia in your own body by utilizing several stretches that will remove the muscle stretch, leaving only the fascia. Also, this lesson shows how a fascial restriction can affect a joint several feet away…

Lesson 3. Releasing the superficial fascia

Length: 15 minutesComplexity: Easy

Skin rolling locations

This lesson focuses on skin rolling and skin evaluation. It shows how to evaluate the skin in various directions and then how to apply myofascial release techniques to free that restriction.

Lesson 4. Scar Release Techniques

Length: 7 minutesComplexity: Easy

Scar release technique on the upper arm showing the direction of myofascial pull.

This lesson includes how to use myofascial release to free adhesions in scar tissue. This would be done after the scar is well healed. Learn to evaluate for restriction in the scar- and then how to apply the correct technique.

Lesson 5. Leg and Arm Pulls

Length: 10 minutesComplexity: Easy

Myofacial release arm pull with showing therapist hand positions.

This lesson shows how to perform an evaluation on the leg and arm using your sensitivity to feel into various levels of the tissue. With time you can pull the ankle, and from there feel into the knee, hip or higher. Once you can feel where the restriction is located, you can use a leg or arm pull to release it.

Lesson 6. Cross Handed Stretches

Length: 14 minutesComplexity: Easy

Myofascial cross handed stretch on the belly.

This lesson shows how to apply the most basic myofascial release stroke to many parts of the body. Cross handed stretches are the most basic and common style of myofascial release performed. After watching and practicing this lesson, you will know how to apply this powerful technique where ever you find restriction.

Lesson 7. Transverse Plane Releases

Length: 6 minutesComplexity: Easy

transverse diaphragm release with hands on the stomach and back

There are three transverse planes in the body- the thoracic, diaphragm and pelvic. This lesson shows how to use myofascial release techniques to release restriction in each area. This is subtle and powerful work.

Lesson 8. Postural Evaluation from the front

Length: 14 minutes

Postural evaluation from the front.

This lesson shows how to perform a postural evaluation with the client facing you. It includes how to evaluate the ankles, knees, hip, shoulder, and neck, as well rotations in the torso. Once you watch this lesson, you will start to see these dysfunctions in everyone!

Lesson 9. Postural evaluation from the side

Length: 6 minutesComplexity: Standard

Myofascial release postural evaluation from the side looking at the lower body comparing two people.

This lesson shows how to evaluate a client from the side. You will learn how to look at the position of the ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and neck. You will be able to spot the areas of restrictions. Multiple people with various dysfunctions are shown.

Lesson 10. Working with the breath

Length: 15 minutesComplexity: Standard

Myofascial rib release technique.

This lesson shows how to evaluate the rib cage for pump handle, bucket handle, and caliper motion. Once you find the area of restriction, this lesson show techniques to increase motion in the rib cage.

Lesson 11. Balancing the feet

Length: 12 minutesComplexity: Standard

foot massage, feet massage. massage, labor massage, reflexology

After evaluating for supination or pronation in the feet, this lesson shows how to use myofascial techniques to remove any restriction and return normal function. Also included is a section on plantar fascitis and achilles tendonitis.

Lesson 12. Hip and Back

Length: 12 minutesComplexity: Standard

Cross handed stretch on the side of the hip for lower back pain.

This lesson shows how to evaluate the hip position and use myofascial release to help move them towards balance. This includes techniques for a high hip, low hip, anterior rotated ilium, and posterior rotated ilium. It includes evaluation of the SI joint using the squish test, and myofascial release techniques for many types of back pain.

Lesson 13. Shoulders and Arms

Length: 8 minutesComplexity: Standard

Myofascial release

This lesson covers myofascial release techniques for a forward shoulder, and a variety of other shoulder conditions. It also includes work on the elbow and wrist joints.

Lesson 14. The Neck and jaw

Free Preview

Length: 11 minutesComplexity: Standard

Anterior neck myofascial neck release for forward head posture.

This lesson shows how to evaluate for neck movement and shows myofascial release techniques to release and balance posture. This includes forward head position and rotations. Also included is evaluation of the TMJ and techniques to improve function.