Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps and links every muscle in the body. It is continuous — which is why tightness in one area can pull on somewhere seemingly unrelated, and why a hip restriction can show up as shoulder pain.
How it differs from massage
Myofascial work is slower and lighter than deep tissue massage. Pressure is applied and then held, sometimes for a minute or more, waiting for the tissue to release rather than forcing it. It can feel like very little is happening, right up until it lets go.
When it helps
Useful where tightness is widespread rather than in one spot, where posture has gradually pulled the body out of position, or where deep work has not held — sometimes because the restriction is in the fascia rather than the muscle.